🥩🍁 Maple-Glazed Pork Chops
Pan-seared pork chops coated in a glossy maple-garlic glaze with a touch of mustard and herbs.
⭐ Ingredients (Serves 4)
Pork Chops
- 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, ¾–1 inch thick)
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
Maple Glaze
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (optional but adds depth)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1–2 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
To Finish
- Butter (1 tbsp, optional for extra richness)
- Extra herbs for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Season the Pork Chops
- Pat pork dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides with:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder & paprika (if using)
2. Make the Maple Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Maple syrup
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
- Soy sauce (optional)
- Vinegar
- Herbs
- Red pepper flakes
Set aside.
3. Sear the Pork
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add pork chops and sear 3–4 minutes per side until golden.
- Reduce heat to medium.
(Bone-in may take slightly longer; boneless cooks faster.)
4. Add the Maple Glaze
- Pour the maple glaze into the skillet with the pork.
- Let it bubble and thicken, turning chops to coat.
- Cook 3–6 minutes, depending on chop thickness, until:
- Internal temp reaches 145°F (63°C)
- Glaze becomes sticky and glossy
Add 1 tbsp butter at the end for an extra silky finish (optional).
5. Rest & Serve
Remove from heat and rest 3 minutes.
Spoon extra glaze from the pan over the chops.
Serve with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Rice pilaf
- Green beans
- Apple slaw
⭐ Tips for Success
- Don’t overcook — pork is best at slightly pink 145°F.
- If glaze reduces too fast, add 1–2 tbsp water.
- For extra caramelization, finish under the broiler for 1 minute.
- You can substitute honey if you’re out of maple syrup.
🔄 Variations
- Maple-Apple Pork Chops: Add ½ cup sliced apples during glazing.
- Spicy Maple: Add 1–2 tsp sriracha or hot sauce.
- Baked Version: Bake chops at 400°F for 12–16 min, brushing with glaze halfway.