Maple Glazed Pork Chops

By Amy Dong
Updated Oct. 31, 2024

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These Maple Glazed Pork Chops are unbelievably tender and flavorful. With no marinating required, they’re quick enough for a weeknight meal, but delicious enough for special occasions.

sliced maple glazed pork chops. — You won’t believe how flavorful these Maple Glazed Pork Chops are without any marinade.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

I grew up on my mom’s famous pork chops, and hers are hard to beat. This is a variation that my family adores. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

Browned and Succulent: These pork chops turn out crisp on the outside and extra tender and succulent on the inside like these Saucy Apple Pork Chops.
Sweet and Tangy Sauce: The mixture of pure maple syrup, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and rosemary blend amazingly to make an ultra flavorful sauce.
Quick Weeknight Meal: Maple Glazed Pork Chops are one of our favorite 30-minute meals easy enough for busy weeknights.
Way Easier Than Anyone Thinks: If you’ve never cooked pork chops before, this is a great recipe to start. With the right tips, skillet boneless chops couldn’t be easier to make!

Key Recipe Ingredients

Pork Chops – Look for boneless, center-cut pork chops for this recipe. If using bone-in, take a look at the Substitutions and Variations section below for cooking suggestions.
Onion – Minced onion brings bold, sweet flavors to the sauce.
Beef Broth – We like using beef broth as the base for the glaze, but feel free to use chicken or veggie broth instead.
Maple Syrup – Pure maple syrup is the not-so-secret ingredient for perfectly sweet and tender pork chops.
Cider Vinegar – The acidity of cider vinegar helps balance the sweetness of the maple.
Dijon Mustard – Dijon mustard adds a kick of spicy, tangy flavor to this sauce.
Butter – A couple tablespoons of butter is all that’s needed to make the maple glaze taste extra rich and flavorful.
Spices – Kosher salt, black pepper, dried rosemary, and cayenne infuse these pork chops with tons of flavor.

Substitutions And Variations

Here are some of our favorite variations for Maple Glazed Pork Chops:

Boneless vs. Bone-in Chops: You can use bone-in pork chops if you prefer. Just note that the cooking time will be slightly longer. You’ll need at least an extra 1 minute on each side. It’s always good to have a food thermometer on hand!
Grill the Pork Chops: Feel free to grill the pork chops and serve with the same maple glaze. Check out our recipe for Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Chops for tips.
Substitute Honey for Maple Syrup: Pure honey also works really well in this recipe. It will give your sauce more of a light, flowery flavor.
Try a Marinade: Have time for a marinade? Check out our recipe for Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

pork chops being patted dry with paper towel.

Pat pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat and brown pork chops for 2 minutes on each side.
When just cooked through, transfer chops to a plate and keep warm.
In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon oil, onion, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in broth, maple syrup, vinegar, rosemary, cayenne, mustard, and butter.
Add the dissolved cornstarch and bring to a low boil; continue stirring until thickened.
Pour sauce on pork chops and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

These Maple Glazed Pork Chops are so quick and easy to make, but we have a few key strategies that make them even easier:

Thaw Pork Chops Overnight: If you’re starting with frozen pork chops, it’s easiest to take them out the night before and let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
Thaw Pork Chops Quickly: If you’re in a time crunch and need to thaw frozen pork chops, take the bag of chops and place them into a bowl of warm water, replacing the water every 15 minutes until thawed.
Store Pork Chops: Pork chops and sauce will keep well stored separately in the fridge for 3-4 days. So, feel free to make these the night before! They’re great for meal prep recipes, too.

maple glazed pork chops garnished with sauce.

What To Serve With Maple Glazed Pork Chops

Potatoes

Nothing hits the spot like these Instant Pot Baby Potatoes served next to tender pork chops.
These Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate satisfying side to serve with any dinner dish.

Rice

If you’re making Maple Glazed Pork Chops for a weekend dinner or special occasion, we can’t recommend this Wild Rice Pilaf enough!
For a super easy starchy side, we love making this Instant Pot Jasmine Rice and Instant Pot Brown Rice.

Veggies

This Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash goes amazingly with these pork chops.
For a crunchy veggies side, try this Apple Pecan Salad with honey mustard dressing.

Commonly Asked Questions

How can I tell when my pork chops are done?

Our favorite way to ensure pork chops are cooked through is with a food thermometer. They’ll need to reach at least 145F to be cooked through. You can also check the firmness of the pork chops. They’ll be pretty soft if they’re underdone and firmer when they’re cooked. We don’t recommend cutting into them while they’re cooking, because they’ll end up losing their juices.

Why is it important to let meat rest?

Letting meat rest both allows the meat to finish cooking and helps the juices to resettle, keeping the cut tender and succulent when you cut into it. This recipe naturally gives the pork chops time to rest while you make the sauce.

What is the difference between Dijon mustard and regular mustard?

Regular yellow mustard uses yellow mustard seeds, which have a milder flavor. Dijon mustard, on the other hand, uses brown mustard seeds which have a sharper, spicier taste. Take a look at our Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Chops recipe for more info on mustard.

Can I make this recipe using chicken instead?

Absolutely! Take a look at our Creamy Lemon Chicken recipe for cooking times and suggestions and cook the sauce exactly the same.

Did you make this?

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