This brown sugar marinade for pork chops is easy to make with pantry ingredients and delivers juicy, flavorful boneless pork chops. Add the chops to the marinade in the morning and cook in the oven at dinnertime in under 30 minutes. Serve the chops with a side dish for a delicious, easy dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Another great way to flavor pork is with a spice rub! For ideas, check out this dry rub for boneless pork ribs, this fennel rub for pork and this pork belly seasoning.
Marinade ingredients and notes:
- Brown sugar is the star ingredient in this pork chop recipe. It gives the meat a savory-sweet flavor and also helps it to develop a delicious brown crust. You can use light or dark brown sugar for this marinade.
- Orange juice and unseasoned rice vinegar add flavor, tenderize the meat and balance the sweetness of the brown sugar.
- Soy sauce adds saltiness and a whole lot of umami.
- Thyme pairs well with any cut of pork and is particularly great with savory-sweet flavors, such as this marinade.
How to marinate the pork chops:
See full ingredient amounts & instructions in the recipe card below!
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Add boneless pork chops to a resealable plastic bag. Pour in the marinade, then move around until the chops are fully coated.
- Marinate for at least 4 hours and up to 10 hours in the fridge.
Recipe note:
You can use bone-in pork chops for this recipe as well but I find boneless chops simply easier to eat. Boneless pork chops are often thought of as being less flavorful than bone-in chops. But, since this marinade keeps the meat juicy and flavorful that's not something to worry about here.
How to cook the pork chops:
See full ingredient amounts & instructions in the recipe card below!
- Add a little bit of oil to a cast iron skillet.
- Set the skillet into the cold oven. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. with the skillet in it.
- Once the oven is preheated, transfer the chops directly from the marinade to the hot skillet and discard the marinade.
- Cook the chops on both sides until the internal temperature of the pork has reached 145 degrees F. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
How long is the cook time?
The exact cook time will depend on the thickness of the pork chops. For 1 inch-thick pork chops, cook the chops for 4 to 7 minutes per side. If your chops are thinner than that, the cook time may be less long.
Since it's really important not to over- or undercook pork chops, I recommend to use an instant-read thermometer and check the temperature frequently.
How to store leftover pork chops:
Let the cooked pork chops cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge. Reheat the chops in the microwave or on the stovetop but note that the chops will lose much of their juiciness when being reheated.
More delicious pork marinade recipes:
- Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin6 Hours 30 Minutes
- Apricot Marinade for Pork Chops4 Hours 20 Minutes
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how you liked it in the comments below! Thank you!
Full Printable Recipe
Brown Sugar Marinade for Pork Chops
Equipment:
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- resealable plastic bag
- kitchen tongs
- cast iron skillet
- digital meat thermometer
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed*
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ tablespoon mild olive oil, more for cooking
- ½ teaspoon unseasoned rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 boneless pork chops
Instructions:
How to marinate the pork chops:
- Add brown sugar, soy sauce, orange juice, thyme, olive oil, rice vinegar and pepper to a bowl and whisk until well combined.
- Add the pork chops to a resealable plastic bag, then pour the marinade into the bag.
- Move the chops around to make sure both are well coated. Transfer the bag to the fridge and marinate for at least 4 hours and up to 10 hours.
How to cook the pork chops:
- Add a little bit of oil to a cast iron skillet and set it into the cold oven.
- Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. with the skillet in it.
- Once the oven is preheated, use kitchen tongs to transfer the chops directly from the marinade to the hot skillet.
- Cook on both sides until the internal temperature of the pork has reached 145 degrees F. (4 to 7 minutes per side for 1 inch-thick chops).** Remove the pork chops from the oven and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
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