Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops

These Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops are seared and baked, then drizzled with an irresistible maple glaze. This dish is worth a little extra effort and doesn’t require any breading. Roasted sweet potatoes, and a sweet and tangy maple bourbon glazed pork chop make the perfect dinner.

the bourbon pork chop glaze is amazing

This recipe for bourbon glaze is on our family’s weekly rotation because it’s easy to make for one-pot dinners or holiday meals.

• This glaze is simply delicious. I pour it on everything from chicken to salmon. It’s pure comfort food. This bourbon glaze recipe will make any dinner delicious.
• A weeknight-friendly dish for the entire year, served with healthy sweet potatoes.
• Because these pork chops are ready in 45 minutes, they’re ideal for busy families or for meal prepping ahead of time.

ingredients

• Pork chops – any kind is good.  You can use boneless, bone in, thicker is best for moist pork, but you can use a thinner chop as well
• Warm water 
• Olive oil 
• Bourbon – you may use chicken broth if you don’t want to use bourbon.
• Raspberry jam – any brand (you may also use blackberry)
• Lemon juice– fresh squeezed is best, but bottled will also work in this recipe
• Garlic – fresh or pre-minced garlic cloves
• Ginger – dried or you can grate fresh ginger as well
• Cayenne pepper– you may also use chili pepper
• Sweet potatoes– diced in 1/2 inch cubes
• Butter– real butter is best
• Maple syrup – real maple syrup, no light substitutes (you may also use honey as a substitute)
• Brown sugar- light or dark brown sugar will work well
• Cinnamon– optional
• Salt and pepper
• Smoked paprika– gives a wonderful, full-flavor
• Soy sauce- optional, a dash is all you need!

instructions

Brine Instructions

1. In a large shallow dish, combine the water, salt, and pepper to brine the chops.
2. Place the pork chops in the brining water, ensuring that they are well submerged.
   Refrigerate the chops for 15 minutes to an hour after covering them with wrap or foil.
3. Remove the chops and pat them dry after the time has passed.

Sweet Potato Instructions

1. Preheat the oven at 400°F and add the melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and smoked paprika in a mixing bowl.
2. Spray a big pan with nonstick cooking spray and line it with tinfoil.
   Place the potatoes in the pan and cover them with the brown sugar mixture.
3. Toss to evenly coat. Bake the pan for 25 minutes. To brown all sides, flip them over from time to time.

glaze Instructions

Bourbon brown sugar glaze is sweet and tangy at the same time. The perfect combo to jazz up any protein!

1. Whisk together all of the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until the sauce has thickened and decreased.
2. Heat the oil in a sauté pan for the pork chops. Salt, pepper, and paprika are used to season the chops.
3. Place in the pan with heated oil and sear on both sides.
4. Reduce the oven temperature after the potatoes have roasted.
5. Bake pork chops in the oven after spooning the glaze over them (see recipe card for cooking times).
6. Remove the chops from the pan and drizzle some glaze over them. Bake the pork steak for an additional 4 minutes in the oven.
7. Remove them from the oven and let them aside before serving.
8. The remaining glaze can be poured on the pork and veggies.

FAQ

Substitutions

• Pork steak variations
  • If you like bone-in pork chops, you may substitute them with boneless pork chops in this recipe with no change in cooking time. In order to be sure, check the pork’s internal temperature.
• This glaze may be used with chicken, turkey or salmon.
• No bourbon? If alcohol-free, try apple juice in place of whiskey in the glaze. However, the effects of the bourbon is cooked out of the glaze at high temperatures.
• Swap the maple syrup for honey.
• No raspberry jam? Try blackberry preserves instead.
• Swap the sweet potatoes for carrots.
• Which bourbon is best for cooking?
  • As a Kentuckian, I suggest Buffalo Trace or Four Roses bourbon for this recipe. Check out the best bourbon for cooking.

how to cook thin pork chops without drying them out

Thin pork chops should be salted to prevent drying out. You may also use soy sauce or a seasoned dry rub with added salt.

time savers

Fresh-baked pork chops are best since they’ll be moist and tender right from the oven. However, you can prepare the brine and glaze in advance.

I like to prepare the brine and the bourbon glaze a day in advance, which significantly reduces your prep and hands-on time.

Just store the glaze in an airtight jar in the refrigerator until time to cook.

how long are cooked pork chops good in the fridge

Pork chops should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within three to four days after making.

Oven-baked chops may be frozen for up to 3 months in a sealed, air-tight freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then re-heat.

expert tips

• If you want perfectly crisp pork chops on the outside, don’t skimp on the searing or the glaze.
• If you have an oven-safe skillet, utilize it here since there will be less dishes to wash.
• The key to a great pork chop lies in the internal temperature. To avoid overcooking and drying out pork chops, it’s important to cook them at the optimum temperature. At least 145 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal cooking temperature for pork.

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