Craving a dish that's both quick and elegant? These balsamic pork chops deliver restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.
Get ready to discover the secret to perfectly seared pork in a luscious, tangy-sweet sauce that will become your new weeknight staple!
Ingredients
Alright, let's explore into the ingredient list for these awesome Balsamic Pork Chops! I like using about 4 pork chops, each roughly an inch thick. I'm thinking somewhere around 7-8 ounces apiece, if you want to use your kitchen scale.
Don't forget olive oil—about 1 to 2 tablespoons! We'll need a clove of minced garlic plus one finely sliced onion–brown, yellow, or white, all are good! Aim for around a cup sliced.
Grab a cup of Balsamic vinegar (the star!) and 1/3 cup packed of brown sugar to balance the tang. For a richer flavor, try adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce, similar to what's used in steak marinades. I usually add salt and pepper to taste. Remember, a little goes a long way!
For that final touch: If you're feeling fancy, a bit of crumbled goat cheese or feta goes a long way! Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish will give you extra credit!
Instructions
Now that we've assembled our ingredients—and maybe swiped a tiny bit of goat cheese—it's time to get cooking! First, you should sprinkle both sides of your pork chops with salt and pepper.
Get your large skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat, then add a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the first side of those chops for about 4 minutes—you want a beautiful, dark gold crust! Now, flip them and cook the other side for 3 minutes. After, put the chops on a plate and cover loosely with foil!
Next, add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add garlic and onion until translucent – about 3 mins. Then, add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Stir it until the sugar melts. Simmer gently for 5-8 minutes, until it's reduced by about half and is a thin syrup! Similar to a balsamic chicken recipe, the balsamic vinegar brings a wonderful tangy sweetness, enhancing the pork's natural flavors. Add the pork back, juices included, and simmer, turning, for 2 minutes, until syrupy and reheated. Serve and garnish with crumbled goat cheese, if you'd like!
Recipe Notes
I've got some extra tips for you to guarantee your balsamic pork chops turn out fantastic! I used pork scotch fillets– any steak-type cut works great! Pork tenderloin's also fabulous; slice it or sear it whole and bake it while you make the sauce.
Honey works instead of brown sugar, but it won't thicken as much. You will need to reduce the honey more to get the same consistency– the flavor is still lovely! Also, with the cooking time, the pork will be a little bit pink inside. That's okay, because it rests while you make the sauce!
Don't wander off too far while simmering. If you leave it too long and it reduces to a really thick glaze, whisk a little water. The cook time for the balsamic syrup depends on your stove, skillet heat, and, of course, the skillet size.
Nutrition Information
Let's explore into the nutrition info, because knowing what's up with your food is always a good idea! One serving—that's about 308g—comes in at around 417 calories. Not bad, right?
Now, onto the macros! You're looking at approximately 15.2g of carbs, 52.7g of protein—yes, seriously, over 100% of your daily needs!—and 14g of fat. Saturated fat is about 3.4g. Plus, there's some cholesterol—146mg—and sodium—269mg.
Potassium? A whopping 945mg! Fiber's a bit low at 0.6g, and sugar clocks in at 13.1g — blame it on the balsamic glaze! You'll also get a little Vitamin C, calcium, and iron in there, too… it ain't just tasty; it's got some good stuff!
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 pork chops
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (Italian blend)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Optional: 2 oz goat cheese
Instructions:
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar and brown sugar until dissolved.
- Season pork chops with salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Pour balsamic mixture over pork chops.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until pork is cooked through (145°F).
- Optional: Crumble goat cheese over pork chops before serving.
Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 5g