Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Honey Garlic Pork shops are one of the easiest, tastiest ways to prepare boneless pork chops. Made with only 5 ingredients, these juicy, flavorful pork chops can be pan-fried, grilled, or baked, and turn out juicy every time!

This easy recipe for pork chops is ANYTHING but boring. Filled with sweet and savory notes and cooked to the perfect temperature, these Honey Garlic Pork Chops are absolutely delicious. Pair with Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, Pineapple Rice, or an Asian Noodle Salad, for an easy, healthy meal.

Secret to Juicy Pork Chops

Pork chops can get the reputation of being dried out or flavorless.

And that is very true..... but only when they are not prepared the RIGHT way. Otherwise, pork chops are a lean, economical, delicious alternative to chicken breasts or chicken thighs.

Just like chicken, as long as you season the meat well and don't overcook, your pork chops will be tender, juicy, and flavorful.

My secret to perfect pork chops is a simple Honey Garlic Marinade and cooking to temperature.

5 Ingredients Needed

• Pork Chops: This recipe is for pork loin chops. But you can use boneless or bone-in pork chops and the cooking instructions will remain the same. A Money-Saving Tip is to ask your butcher to cut a pork loin up into a 1-inch pork loin chop--this is typically cheaper than purchasing pork chops in a package.
• Pineapple Juice: While the pineapple juice may seem like an odd addition, trust me on this one. Just like my Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe, and Teriyaki Chicken Packets, pineapple juice is my secret weapon in the marinade to help make delicious, slightly sweet pork without adding processed sugars. Not only does the pineapple juice work to season the pork chops, but it also works as a natural tenderizer.
• Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the sodium content. Or omit the soy sauce and add 1 teaspoon kosher salt to the marinade or replace it with Braggs Amino Acids.

Pork Chops Marinade

Made with honey, garlic, soy sauce, and pineapple juice, this marinade has sweet, savory, and salty notes that compliment the mild natural flavors of the pork.

Marinating the pork is as easy as seasoning the pork chops with salt and pepper, and then placing the pork chops into a sealable storage bag. Whisk together the marinade and pour over the pork. Close the bag, removing excess air, and then toss to coat, using your hands to massage the marinade into the pork.

How Long Should You Marinate Pork Chops?

Every marinade requires a different amount of time. For my Lemon Greek Yogurt Marinade, you don't want to leave in the marinade for more than 4 hours due to the high acidity of the marinade.

For my Honey Garlic Pork Marinade, you can marinade the pork chops (or chicken if you like), for up to 24 hours as it has less acidity than most marinades. I recommend marinating the pork loin chops for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 24 hours.

How to Cook Pork Chops

Once your pork chops are seasoned well, it all comes down to cooking.

You can grill, bake, or pan-fry these marinated pork chops, but the key is to not overcook the pork.

Pork chops are juiciest when cooked to medium-rare, or 145 degrees Fahrenheit and this is the recommended temperature by the Pork Council. However, you can prepare your pork chops to the desired temperature based upon your preferences. Well done is between 160 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grilled Pork Chops

I prefer to grill my pork loin chops whenever possible. I just love the crispy edges from where the sugar from the honey caramelizes on the pork.

It is best to sear your pork chops quickly over direct heat and then allow to cook more slowly over indirect heat. Don't worry, this is NOT as complicated as it sounds. 

• Preheat one side of the gas grill to medium-high heat and the other side to medium-low. If using a charcoal grill, place heated coals on only one side of the grill.
• Place marinated pork chops on direct heat for 1-2 minutes per side, or until seared nicely and able to flip easily. If the pork is resisting being turned, give it a minute longer before flipping.
• Once the meat is seared move the indirect side of the grill, cover and cook for 4-6 minutes longer, or until pork chops reach 145 degrees or desired temperature.
• Remove from grill and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Baked Pork Chops

Baking marinated pork chops is an easy method and perfect for rainy or cold days when you don't feel like grilling.

• To bake Honey Garlic Pork Chops, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
• Remove pork loin chops from marinade a place in 9x13 baking dish and bake until pork reaches the desired temperature. This is about 15-18 minutes for 145 degrees.
• It is very important to rest your pork chops on a cutting board or plate for 5-10 minutes so they can retain their juices.

Pan-Fried Pork Chops

• Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add in 1 tablespoon oil and remove pork from marinade and wipe off excess marinade, using a paper towel.
• Cook until browned one side (2-3 minutes per side).
• Turn pork chop over, cover, and reduce heat to medium.
• Cook for approximately 4-6 more minutes or until the pork loin chop reaches 145 degrees or desired temperature.
• Remove from skillet and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Storage

Pork chops are best served immediately, as they can dry out when reheated. If you do happen to have leftover pork chops, place them into a storage safe container once cooled. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The best way to reheat the pork chops is to heat ½ cup of chicken stock in a nonstick skillet until boiling. Turn off the heat and place the cold chops in the hot stock. Let it sit for 5 minutes. This will warm up the pork chops and add a bit of moisture to the pork.

Meal Prep

If you want to get a jump start on meal prep, and don't we all, purchase a large pork loin and have your butcher cut into 1-inch slice chops. Make a large batch of Honey Garlic Marinade and then freeze the pork chops right in the marinade.

• Make enough marinade for as many pounds of pork that you intend to freeze. Each recipe is enough for 1 pound of meat.
• Place one pound of pork loin chops in a freezer-safe bag (use as many bags as you need).
• As soon as you pour the marinade over the pork loin chops, tightly seal the bag and place it directly into your freezer.
• When ready to make Honey Garlic Pork Chops, place the frozen bag of marinated pork in the fridge to defrost overnight. As the pork chops defrost, the marinade works to flavor the pork.
• Grill or bake as recipe directs.

More Pork Loin Recipes

• Slow Cooker Apple Pork Roast
• Skillet Tuscan Pork Chops
• Crock Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
• Instant Pot Pork Chops

Whether you decide to bake, grill, or pan-fry these Honey Garlic Pork Chops, I think you will agree, the flavor is spot on! I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

This post was originally published in 2018 but was updated in 2020 with a new video and tips.