Are you on the hunt for the ultimate easy, saucy, and incredibly satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will go absolutely crazy for? This amazing, one-pan Sweet Barbecue Pork Chops recipe is that perfect meal. Tender, juicy, golden-brown pork chops are gently simmered in a thick, sweet, and tangy homemade barbecue sauce that is completely irresistible.
This isn’t just another pork chop recipe; it’s a guide to your new weeknight hero. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a perfectly cooked, never-dry pork chop and how to create a luscious, deeply flavorful pan sauce using a few simple pantry staples—including one surprising secret ingredient! This is the kind of satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs meal that makes any day feel cozy and special.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate One-Pan Comfort Food
What makes these Sweet Barbecue Pork Chops so spectacularly delicious is their incredible, flavor-packed sauce and the foolproof, one-skillet cooking method. This recipe features tender, boneless pork loin chops that are first seared to a beautiful golden brown to lock in the juices. The magic happens right after, when a quick and easy, from-scratch barbecue sauce is poured over the top. The pork then gently simmers in the sauce, a technique that not only cooks the pork to tender perfection but also infuses it with incredible flavor. It’s a complete, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing meal that is perfect for a busy night.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 8 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Saucy Skillet
This recipe uses a handful of simple pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Pork Chops:
- Boneless Pork Loin Chops: This recipe calls for 3/4-inch thick, boneless chops, which are a fantastic choice for a quick weeknight meal. They are lean, tender, and cook up quickly in a skillet.
- The “Secret Ingredient” BBQ Sauce: This is the sweet, tangy, and savory heart of the dish.
- The Base: A classic barbecue sauce foundation of packed brown sugar, ketchup, and your favorite bottled barbecue sauce creates a deep, sweet, and smoky flavor.
- The Secret Ingredient (French Dressing!): This is a brilliant, slightly retro, and completely delicious hack! A classic, creamy, orange French salad dressing adds a wonderful, tangy complexity and a silky smooth texture to the final sauce with one easy, secret ingredient.
- The Flavor Boosters: A savory, umami kick from Worcestershire sauce and the sweetness of chopped onion round out this perfectly balanced sauce.
Step-by-Step to the Best BBQ Pork Chops
This delicious, one-pan meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Sear the Pork Chops
Step 1: Pat your 8 boneless pork loin chops completely dry with a paper towel.
Pro Tip: Patting the meat dry is the number one secret to getting a beautiful, golden-brown crust or sear!
Step 2: In a large skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of canola oil over medium heat. Working in batches to not overcrowd the pan, brown the pork chops for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Step 3: Once all the chops are browned, return them all to the pan.
Part 2: Make the Sauce and Simmer
Step 1: In a small bowl, prepare your sauce. Mix together the 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, the 1/2 cup of chopped sweet onion, the 1/2 cup of ketchup, the 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce, the 1/2 cup of French salad dressing, and the 1/4 cup of honey.
Step 2: Pour this mixture over the top of the pork chops in the skillet.
Step 3: Bring the sauce to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and let the pork chops simmer for 4 to 5 minutes.
Pro Tip: The only 100% foolproof way to guarantee a juicy, perfectly cooked pork chop is to use an instant-read thermometer. Pork is perfectly and safely cooked when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chop registers 145°F (63°C).
Step 4: Let the cooked pork chops stand and rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, guaranteeing a tender result.
Serve the hot pork chops with a generous spoonful of the warm, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce from the pan.
The Best Saucy & Sweet BBQ Pork Chops (Easy One-Pan Recipe!)
An easy, one-pan recipe for tender boneless pork chops in a rich, sweet barbecue glaze. The pork chops are first browned in a large skillet. A simple and flavorful sauce is then made by combining brown sugar, chopped sweet onion, ketchup, barbecue sauce, French salad dressing, and honey. This sauce is poured over the pork chops, and the dish is simmered until the pork is cooked through and the sauce has thickened into a sweet and tangy glaze.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 8 boneless pork loin chops (3/4 inch thick and 8 ounces each)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
- 1/2 cup each ketchup, barbecue sauce, French salad dressing and honey
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat.
- Working in batches, brown the pork chops for 2-3 minutes on each side. Return all the pork chops to the pan.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining ingredients: brown sugar, onion, ketchup, barbecue sauce, French salad dressing, and honey.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the pork chops in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the pork reads 145°F.
- Let the pork chops stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This is a very quick one-pan meal, perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Browning the pork chops in batches is a key step to ensure they get a good sear without overcrowding the pan.
- Letting the cooked pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and flavorful result.
What to Serve With Your BBQ Pork Chops
This beautiful skillet dinner is a fantastic, hearty meal. It pairs wonderfully with classic, comforting American side dishes.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The absolute perfect partner for this dish, ideal for sopping up every last drop of that delicious, sweet and tangy pan sauce.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Another fantastic, classic comfort food pairing.
- A Simple Green Vegetable: To balance the richness of the meal, a side of simple, steamed green beans, sweet peas, or roasted broccoli is the perfect, fresh counterpoint.
- Cornbread: A side of warm, buttery cornbread is a must-have for a true, Southern-style meal.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive weeknight meal, you can get a head start by preparing the entire barbecue sauce up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container or a jar in the refrigerator. This turns the final dish into a true, 15-minute dinner.
- Storage: Store any leftover pork chops and the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of pork chops, this delicious and simple cooking method is also absolutely fantastic with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. You will just need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Add a Spicy Kick: For a delicious, spicy-sweet flavor, you can add about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to your barbecue sauce.
- Make it Smoky: For an even deeper, more authentic barbecue flavor, you can add about 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke to the sauce.
Enjoy The Ultimate One-Pan Comfort Food!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. These Sweet Barbecue Pork Chops are a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch-tasting meal to bring comfort and joy. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested family favorite for busy weeknights.
We hope you enjoy every last, warm, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute secret to a juicy, not dry, pork chop?
There are two main secrets! First, be sure to start with a thick-cut pork chop (at least 3/4- to 1-inch thick if possible). Thinner pork chops are much more likely to overcook. Second, and most importantly, be very careful not to overcook them. The best way to check for doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. Pork is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Q2: What is French salad dressing, and is there a substitute?
Classic, American-style French dressing is a creamy, sweet, and tangy dressing that is typically a bright orange or red color from a base of oil, vinegar, sugar, and tomato or paprika. If you can’t find it, a good substitute would be a creamy Catalina or a Russian dressing.
Q3: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
This dish comes together so quickly that it is at its absolute best when it is made fresh. However, for a fantastic time-saving trick, you can prepare the entire barbecue sauce and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Q4: Can I use bone-in pork chops for this recipe?
Of course! A thick-cut, bone-in pork chop would be fantastic in this recipe and will be even juicier. You will just need to increase the simmering time by a few minutes on each side to ensure that the meat is cooked all the way through to the bone.
Q5: Can I make this dish in the slow cooker?
Yes! Simply sear your pork chops first. Then, place them in the slow cooker, pour the prepared sauce over the top, and cook on Low for 4-6 hours or on High for 2-3 hours, until the pork is tender.