Honey Glazed Pork Chops
Honey Glazed Pork Chops
Pork chops were never my father's forte. No matter how hard he tried, they always ended up a little overdone, making them more of a chore to chew than a pleasure to eat. As I've grown into the role of household chef, I've made it my mission to nail the perfect pork chop - one that my family will truly enjoy.
My secret? Always use a meat thermometer. Poultry has a hard internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to consume, but pork and beef have a little wiggle room for their temperatures. With my thermometer probe, I always look for my pork chops to reach 135°F while it’s in the pan or oven, then I pull it and let it come up to the final internal temperature of 145°F. A lot of the time we forget that the meat will keep cooking after we take it from the heat source, so this is a great recipe for you to practice your timing skills!
Pork offers a very versatile flavor profile. Being a little more flavorful than poultry, but not as heavy as beef steaks, you can dress up a seared pork chop 100 different ways! This recipe starts you off on a delicious journey with the base notes being honey powder, paprika, garlic, and onion. To give your pork chops some extra shine and a sauce to swipe it in, we partnered it with a balsamic honey glaze. Now – I have a lot of favorite pantry items, but nothing compares to a good quality balsamic vinegar! In its original format, its equal parts tart on the front-end, then smooth and aromatic on the back end. When you reduce it down, don’t be scared of the vinegar evaporating off, it’s supposed to smell that way! The honey grounds the robust flavors of the balsamic vinegar and it all reduces down to this glossy, scrumptious glaze to cascade over your pork chops.
Serve these balsamic honey glazed pork chops with your choice of sides - roasted green beans, creamy risotto, or a fluffy baked potato would all make wonderful accompaniments. And don't be afraid to get creative with different glaze variations. Pork is such a versatile canvas, just waiting to be painted with your culinary masterstrokes. Enjoy!
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
Pork Chops:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 (8 oz.) boneless pork chops, about 1½ inches thick
- s.a.l.t. sisters Honey Glaze Rub & Seasoning
Glaze:
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp s.a.l.t. sisters Honey Glaze Rub & Seasoning
- 3 TBSP unsalted butter
Directions:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the pork chops with s.a.l.t. sisters Honey Glaze Rub & Seasoning. Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook until cooked through, about 5–7 minutes on each side. The internal temperature should reach 135°F. Once done, transfer the pork chops to a plate, cover with foil, and let them rest for at least 10 minutes. They will continue to cook. You want the internal temperature to end up at 145° F.
- While the pork chops are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and s.a.l.t. sisters Honey Glaze Rub & Seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer until the glaze has reduced by about half, approximately 10 minutes. Whisk in the unsalted butter until fully incorporated.
- Drizzle the prepared glaze over the rested pork chops. Serve the Honey Glazed Pork Chops hot, garnished as desired.
Enjoy your flavorful Honey Glazed Pork Chops!
