Maple Balsamic Pork Chops (5 Ingredients + 20 min)

These Balsamic Pork Chops are juicy and tender boneless pork chops that are pan seared and coated with a delectable sweet and tangy balsamic maple glaze. They are loaded with the most incredible flavor the whole family will love. 

After the very first bite, you’re going to want to add this pork chops recipe to your busy weeknight dinner rotation. With 5 simple ingredients and only 20 minutes you can have this hearty and delicious dinner recipe ready and on the table! If you’re looking for more easy recipes that can be ready in just minutes, try these Sheet Pan Fajitas, Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and these easy Shrimp Bowls.

One of the many things you’ll love about this glazed pork chops recipe is it’s quick enough for a family dinner, but the flavors of the glaze make this dish elegant enough for special occasions.

What’s Needed to Make these Maple Glazed Chops?

• 1 T. extra virgin olive oil 
• 4 4-oz. boneless pork chops
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ c. balsamic vinegar
• 2½ T. real maple syrup

How to Make the Best Maple Balsamic Pork Chops

1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-duty or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Blot off extra moisture on the boneless chops with a paper towel.
3. Season pork chops on each side with salt and pepper, to taste, and add to the large skillet. Brown pork chops on each side, including the sides of the chops, approximately 3 minutes per side. Remove pork chops from pan and set aside on a rimmed dish.
4. Add balsamic vinegar and maple syrup to hot skillet and bring to a boil, stirring the bottom of the pan constantly. Reduce to medium heat and cook mixture until it is reduced to about 1/3 of its original volume. When ready, the glaze will become thick and syrupy. (Do not overcook or the mixture will become hard and sticky).
5. Place pork chops back in the skillet along with the juices that collected on the plate. Stir liquid to blend juices into the syrup and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
6. Transfer chops to a serving platter or individual serving plate and drizzle with the maple glaze sauce. Serve immediately!

Store completely cooled pork chops in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Can I Freeze Leftover Pork Chops?

You sure can! In fact, this pork chops recipe is great for meal prep ideas. Just let the pork chops cool until they are room temperature. Place then in a freezer-safe, air-tight container and label it with the date you prepared them. They will keep in the freezer for several months.

When you are ready to thaw them, stick them in the fridge them reheat them slowly in a large sauté pan until they are warmed through.

Why are My Pork Chops Tough?

Boneless pork chops are very lean, so they cook rather quickly. This makes it very easy to overcook them. When pork chops are cooked even a couple minutes too long, they can turn out dry and tough. You can’t rely on suggested cooking times alone. For best results, you should use an instant read meat thermometer.

Another factor to consider is carry-over cooking. When you remove pork chops from the heat, they will continue cooking. To prevent them from overcooking, take them off the heat when they reach about 140°F degrees, which is slightly less than the desired internal temperature of 145°F degrees.

What Can I Serve with These Glazed Pork Chops?

These flavorful pork chops recipe is perfect with just about any side dish you’d like. They are great served with simple side dishes like a nutritious Green Salad, sauteed green beans, Street Corn or something more decadent like creamed spinach.

If you have extra glaze, drizzle it over these Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes or for something low carb, mashed cauliflower would be great.

These pork chops go great with roasted veggies like sweet potatoes, Bussels Sprouts, Roasted Asparagus or a medley of Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables.

Are These Pork Chops Healthy?

Pork chops are a great source of selenium, which aids the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties. They are also a good source for magnesium, iron and potassium.

Boneless pork chops are naturally a lean source of protein but how they’re cooked can change the overall nutritional information of the pork chops recipe. For instance, if they are floured and fried in canola oil or other inflammatory oil, they would not be considered very healthy. If you would like to read more about this, check out this article about pork chops on Healthline.

These pork chops are glazed with a little balsamic vinegar, that’s attributed with many health benefits. While the maple syrup does contain sugar, there are less than 3 tablespoons used in this entire recipe, which provides minimal carb impact.

Variations for Glazed Pork Chops

• Glaze: If you want to change up the glaze ingredients, try adding a little soy sauce to the sauce pan. You can also use apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, but the glaze won’t be quite as thick as when you use balsamic.
• Spices: Love spicy foods? Add a little chili powder, red pepper flakes or a little pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze while it’s cooking.
• Cuts of pork: You can make this recipe using any cut of pork chop. You can use bone-in or boneless. You can even make pork medallions with pork tenderloin.

Want More Healthy Dinner Recipes?

• Philly Cheesesteak Wraps
• Pistachio Crusted Salmon
• Smothered Pork Chops with Gravy
• Classic Meat Loaf
• Palmini Noodle Lasagna
• Stove Top Pot Roast with Mushrooms