Rosemary and Brown Sugar Pork Chops
This quick skillet pork chop recipe unlocks the secret to 15-minute, magically juicy chops. Mix brown sugar with salt and spices, rub on the meat and let it marinate for 15 minutes and up to 24 hours ahead of cooking.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt* (reduce by half the amount if using fine or table salt)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried herbs, such as thyme or oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 pounds thick-cut pork chops (1-½-inch) bone-in or boneless
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 (220 C) degrees.
- Combine the brown sugar, salt, rosemary, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the pork chops, rubbing it in. Let the chops sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance.
- Heat a heavy oven-proof skillet (cast iron is perfect) over medium-high heat until a drop of water sizzles instantly. Add the oil and the pork chops. Sear until nicely browned on one side, 5 minutes or so. Turn the pork chops over and transfer the skillet to the oven.
- Roast until the meat is cooked through and feels firm to the touch (140-145 degrees on a meat thermometer), 8-10 minutes. Let the pork chops rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tips and serving:
- Use thick-cut (1- 1-1/2-inch) pork chops if possible — they'll be juicier.
- Instead of fresh rosemary, use fresh thyme or 1-2 teaspoons dried herb blend such as Herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning.
- To make a quick pan sauce, add 1/4 cup chicken broth to the hot pan after removing the chops. Scrape up the browned bits, and boil 1-2 minutes.
- Preheat a heavy pan (cast iron if you have it) to get the best sear. You can also grill the chops on an outdoor grill.
- Serve with wilted greens and garlic roasted potatoes for a simple dinner.
Nutrition
Calories: 773kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 98gFat: 35gSodium: 965mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 9g
