Honey Garlic Pork Chops

5 from 14 votes
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Say good-bye to dried-out, lack luster pork chops using this easy Honey Garlic Pork Chop Recipe! Made with 5 simple ingredients, these pork chops are perfectly juicy, incredibly tender, and infused with irresistible sweet and savory flavor.  

Whether paired with creamy grits, mashed potatoes, pineapple rice, or roasted potatoes and carrots, Honey Garlic Pork Chops make the ultimate easy, healthy weeknight meal.

Honey Garlic Pork Chops on wooden plate next to fresh pineapple.

No More Dried-Out Pork Chops!

When it comes to pork chops, you should NEVER settle for dried-out, tough results. This honey garlic pork chop recipe guarantees you won't have to!

The secret to success?

For this recipe, it all comes down to the marinade. Made with a combination of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and pineapple juice, the pork chop marinade works to tenderize the pork and infuse the pork chops with sweet, tangy, and savory notes.

And whether pan-fried, grilled, or baked, you truly can't go wrong with this simple pork chop recipe. And because this recipe is made with minimal effort and minimal ingredients, yet turns out so incredibly delicious, you will want to make it again and again!

Happy Cooking! xo Kristen

Notes on Ingredients

The marinade is what sets this recipe apart. Just like my chicken thigh marinade and London broil marinade, the ingredients are simple, but the flavor is spectacular!

Ingredients for Honey Garlic Pork Chops labeled.
  • Pork Chops: This recipe works with boneless or bone-in pork chops. 
  • Honey Garlic Marinade: The pork chop marinade is made with soy sauce, which adds notes of umami, honey, for sweetness, garlic for bold flavor, and 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 Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, 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 acts as a natural tenderizer.

MOney-Saving Tip

Ask your butcher to cut a pork loin roast into 1-inch thick pork loin chops. This is typically cheaper than purchasing pre-packaged boneless pork chops.

How to Make Honey Garlic Pork Chops

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Prepare Marinade. In a shallow dish or large storage bag combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, garlic, and honey together.
  2. Marinate Pork Chops. Add pork chops to the marinade and toss to coat. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or up to 24 hours. This will give enough time for the protein of the pork chops to break down and become tender and flavorful.
Side by side picture of marinade before and after mixing together.
Marinade pouring over pork chops in freezer bag.
  1. Cook Pork Chops. When it comes to cooking these marinated honey garlic pork chops, you can grill, pan-fry, or bake them. Pork chops are juiciest when cooked to medium-rare, or 145℉ (63℃), as recommended by the Pork Council. The best way to determine that the pork chops have reached the correct temperature is to rely on a meat thermometer. This will ensure your pork chops are perfectly cooked.
  2. Rest Before Serving. Remove the pork chops from the grill, pan, or oven and let rest for 10 minutes, which will allow time for the juices to redistribute throughout the pork chops, keeping each bite juicy.
Marinated pork chops on grill plate after cooking to 145 degrees F.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

  • Make-Ahead: Place one pound of pork chops in a freezer-safe bag and pour the marinade over the pork chops. Seal the bag tightly, and place the marinated pork chops into the freezer immediately. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost the marinated pork chops in the refrigerator overnight and then cook as directed.
  • Leftovers: Store the pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in simmering broth to keep the pork chops juicy.
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5 from 14 votes

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Servings: 4
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Marinating: 2 hours
Total: 17 minutes
Grilled Pork Chops on wooden platter next to honey.
Made with 5 simple ingredients, these pork chops are perfectly juicy, incredibly tender, and infused with irresistible sweet and savory flavor.  

Video

Ingredients 

  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup 100% pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, reduced sodium
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 pound pork loin chops, bone-in or boneless

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup 100% pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon minced garlic until well combined.
  • Place 1 pound pork loin chops into a shallow container or storage bag. Pour the honey garlic marinade over the pork chops and toss to coat. Seal the bag or place a lid on the container and place the pork chops in the marinade into the refrigerator.
  • Marinate the pork chops for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 24 hours in the refrigerator. For best results, turn the pork halfway through the marinating process.

Grill Pork Chops

  • Lightly grease the grates of a grill or a grill pan with nonstick spray. Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the pork chops from the marinade, discard the marinade, and cook for 2 minutes. Flip the pork chops, and turn the heat to medium-low. Cover the grill, and continue to cook for 4-6 minutes longer, or until pork chops reach 145℉ (63℃) or desired temperature. Remove from the grill and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Bake Pork Chops

  • Preheat the oven to 400℉ (205℃). Remove the pork chops from the marinade and place them in a 9x13 baking dish. Bake until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145℉ (63℃). This will be about 16-18 minutes. Remove the pork chops from the hot pan (this stops the cooking process) and let rest on a cutting board 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Pan-Fry Pork Chops

  • Preheat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is glistening, remove the pork chops from the marinade and wipe off any excess marinade with a paper towel. Cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the pork chops over, cover the skillet, and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for approximately 4-6 minutes or until the pork chops reach 145℉ (63℃) or desired temperature. Remove the pork chops from the pan and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Notes

Money-Saving Tip: Ask your butcher to cut a pork loin roast into 1-inch thick pork loin chops. This is typically cheaper than purchasing prepacked boneless pork chops.
Gluten-Free Modification: Replace the soy sauce with Tamari, certified gluten-free soy sauce, or liquid aminos. 
Storing Leftovers: Place cooled leftover pork chops into a storage safe container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in simmering chicken stock over low until just warmed through. 

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 25gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 307mgPotassium: 475mgSugar: 19gVitamin C: 1.2mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @amindfullmom or tag #amindfullmom!

This post was originally published in 2018 but was updated in 2022 with a new video and tips. 

About Kristen Chidsey

Kristen is a wife, busy mom of two, and creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. From breakfast to dinner to dessert, it is her passion to share tried-and-true recipes that are big on flavor, made with easy-to-find ingredients, and family-approved!

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28 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Such a great idea - I need to stock up on some pork loin too! And try this yummy, easy recipe - I know we'd love it!

  2. 5 stars
    Summer is meant for grilling and this recipe is perfect. I think everyone in my family would love it! Thanks!

  3. 5 stars
    These porks look sooo good! I love how the honey and apple juice from the marinade caramelized on them - yum!