Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for garlic honey pork chops, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Pork Chops – You can use boneless or bone-in pork chops. Choose ones that are 1-inch thick. If you can, bring them to room temperature first to ensure even cooking and juiciness. Seasonings – In addition to the garlic honey sauce, you’ll season these chops with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper. Olive Oil – I prefer to use olive oil to sear the chops, but you could also use avocado oil or your oil of choice. Butter – Adds richness to the dish. I like to use unsalted so that I can control the salt separately. Garlic – Fresh minced garlic tastes the best, but you could use 1 teaspoon of jarred minced garlic as a quicker alternative. Honey – My go-to is natural sugar-free honey, but regular is fine, too. I like these fairly sweet, so used 3 tablespoons of the honey, but reduce to 2 tablespoons for more mild sweetness. Coconut Aminos – I prefer using coconut aminos as a soy sauce alternative, but reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari also works. Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds a subtle tangy kick, balances the sweetness of the honey, and helps to tenderize the pork chops (read: tender and juicy results!). If needed, you can substitute it with white wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar for a similar effect. Garnish – For a classic dish, garnish with green onions (my preference), parsley, or sesame seeds.
How To Make Honey Garlic Pork Chops
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: Place leftover pork chops in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat: Bake them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Freeze: Place the pork chops with honey garlic sauce in freezer-safe zip lock bags and push out any extra air. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Complete your meal with some quick and easy sides that pair well with the sweet and savory flavors of the dish: Get ready to elevate your honey garlic pork chop game with some insider tips from yours truly. With all the time I’ve spent perfecting this recipe, I’m here to share some tricks that’ll have you cooking up juicy, flavorful chops like a seasoned pro in no time!
Make sure the pan is very hot before searing pork chops. This ensures a perfectly golden-brown crust. To ensure the pan is very hot, preheat it over medium-high heat for a few minutes until the olive oil shimmers. You can prep sauce and pork separately. These honey garlic pork chops are made on the stovetop, but you can make the honey garlic sauce and cook the pork chops any other way you like. For example, I’ve also made the sauce and poured it over baked pork chops! Use a meat thermometer. Nobody wants overcooked pork chops, and you definitely don’t want them undercooked. The best way to ensure juicy (but fully cooked) results is to remove them from the pan when they reach 145 degrees F. You can also remove them a few degrees early and let them reach the target temperature while resting on a plate, which is actually what I usually do!
Potatoes – Soak up that honey sauce with some mashed potatoes, or for a lighter option, cauliflower mash. You could also serve with classic roasted potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes. Salad – Since this is technically an Asian-inspired dish, I like to serve it with a refreshing smashed cucumber salad, tangy cabbage salad, or colorful Asian salad. Rice – Serve with a bed of classic fried rice. For lighter options, make fluffy cauliflower rice or cauliflower fried rice (my favorite with this dish!) instead. Asian Sides – Bok choy and shishito peppers make a delicious veggie side, while egg drop soup makes a great appetizer.
More Pork Chop Recipes
These chops make a great meal any night of the week! Here are some other pork chop recipes to try: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include optional ingredients, and is calculated using natural sugar-free honey.
