Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Additional Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
569 kcal
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Cuisine
American
Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes
Description
This recipe begins by brining pork chops in a salt and pepper solution, enhancing juiciness and flavor. Sweet potatoes are peeled, diced, and tossed with melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and pepper, then roasted until caramelized and tender. The pork chops are patted dry after brining, seasoned, and seared in a hot skillet until browned.
A maple glaze made from maple syrup, bourbon (or substitutions like whiskey or juice), brown sugar, raspberry jam, lemon juice, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne is prepared alongside. The glaze is then applied to the pork chops towards the end of cooking, forming a shiny, flavorful coating. The combination of the tender pork with a sweet, tangy glaze complements the warm, spiced sweet potatoes on the side.
This dish suits dinners where a balance of sweet and savory flavors is desired, such as weekend meals or special occasions. Selecting bone-in pork chops around an inch thick helps retain moisture and yield a more satisfying bite. The recipe accommodates substitutions, and the glaze’s alcohol cooks off during preparation, leaving flavor complexity without alcohol content.
Using thicker pork chops delivers a better texture, and the glaze ingredients can be varied depending on available jams or spirits. Proper brining and drying of the pork are essential for optimal flavor and searing. The sweet potatoes benefit from occasional turning during roasting to ensure even browning.
Ingredients
Brine
- 1 quart water warm
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper freshly ground
- 4 pork chops bone-in
Sweet Potatoes
- 1 ½ pounds sweet potato peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons butter melted, unsalted
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup real
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar light, packed
- ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ to 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste, freshly ground
Pork Chops
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste, freshly ground
Maple Glaze
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup bourbon or whiskey, orange/pineapple/cranberry juice, or water
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup raspberry jam or another favorite jam such as strawberry or blackberry or jelly
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger or to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste, freshly ground
- pinch cayenne pepper optional and to taste
Instructions
- Brine - In a large shallow dish or bowl, add the water, salt, pepper, and stir to combine.
- Carefully add the pork chops, making sure to submerge them fully. Brine for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour. While the pork chops brine, start roasting the sweet potatoes.
- Sweet Potatoes - Preheat oven to 400F.
- Dice the sweet potatoes and place on a foil-lined baking sheet (optional but really helps with cleanup and I highly recommend it); set aside.
- To a small bowl, combine the melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and stir to combine.
- Evenly drizzle over the sweet potatoes, toss to evenly coat, and bake for about 25 to 35 minutes, making sure to toss and flip them once or twice during baking to ensure even cooking. In the final 10 minutes of roasting, move onto searing the pork chops and making the maple glaze.
- Pork Chops - After the allotted brining time, remove the chops and pat dry.
- To a large skillet, add the oil, pork chops, and evenly season with smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and sear over high heat for 2 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet; set aside on a platter.
- Maple Glaze - To a small saucepan, add all ingredients, stir to combine, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until thickened slightly.**
- Putting it All Together - Lower the oven temp to 375F.
- By this point the sweet potatoes should have been roasting for about 25 to 35 minutes. Flip and toss again. They should be nearly done at this point, meaning soft and fork tender.
- Place the pork chops directly over the sweet potatoes.
- Carefully spoon about a third of the glaze over the chops and bake for 5 minutes.
- Flip the chops over, spoon a third of the remaining glaze over the chops, and bake for another 4 minutes, or until the internal temp of the pork chops has reached 140F using a digital thermometer to be sure. Pork is fully cooked and safe to eat once it reaches 145°F. However, you can always remove pork from the oven when it reaches 140°F and after it rests for about 5 minutes, the internal temperature will rise to 145°F and you’re set. Make sure to let it the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Serve with the remaining third of the glaze or whatever you have left.
- Leftovers will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Reheating gently in the microwave is my preferred method to reheat.
Notes
- Use bone-in pork chops at least 1 inch thick for best results; boneless work but cook faster.
- Substitute bourbon with whiskey, orange/pineapple/cranberry juice, or water; note flavor differences.
- Choose mid-range quality bourbon or whiskey for balanced glaze flavor without overspending.
- Alcohol in the glaze cooks off during preparation, leaving behind rich flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 569 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 569kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 69g | 23% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9g | 53% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 1381mg | 58% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 45g | 90% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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