This is the perfect recipe for a super quick weeknight dinner.

In less than 20 minutes, those Pork Chops with Sweet Sour Sauce are on the table. Succulent and tender, the sugar sprinkled over the chops allows for a nice caramelization to take place.

Pork chops with sweet sour sauce

The vinegar gives the bite it needs, yet it does not overpower the dish. The garlic is as tender as it can be absolutely incredible.

Subscribe to Giangi's Kitchen!

Get my FREE email series: 5 Days of Easy Elevated Recipes plus a weekly newsletter!

First Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Perfection in the balance of flavors.

You will be amazed at how delicious this dish is, and I am sure it will become your go-to dish when in a pinch.

We love pork chops as they are versatile and adapt well to all sauces. When not overcooked, the meat is tasty with the perfect amount of chewy.

In this Article

Why you will love this recipe?

  • Dinner will be ready in less than 30 minutes—a plus when you do not have time to cook.
  • The whole dish is prepared in the same skillet, leaving you a clean kitchen.
  • The ingredients are staple in your pantry, making this dish a favorite.

Why pork chops?

A much tender and mild-tasting section of the pork. The pork chops are the most flavorful and work well prepared in so many different ways.

Pork chops are the most popular cut of pork. They come from the loin, the meat that runs from the pig’s hip to its shoulder.

They also contain the essential amino acid our bodies cannot make, and pork chops have it. Also a wealthy source of protein.

I used a 1 1/2-inch thick bone-in pork chops for this recipe

What is sweet sour sauce?

Sweet and sour sauce combines sweet and tangy flavors, making quite a versatile condiment for various cooking applications.

Primarily used in Asian cooking, added to this bone-in pork recipe, it brings out the flavorfulness of the pork.

In this dish, the sauce is lighter, and the capers with the garlic make the perfect balance with the sugar. Adding the butter it created that smooth sauce that we all love.

pork chops with sweet sour sauce

Here are a few helpful tips for the ingredients needed

Bone in pork chops – easy to cook and always super flavorful.

Sugar – needed to make the sweet part of your sauce

Shallots – once cooking, the shallots release such a wonderful sweet flavor, a must in my cooking.

Garlic – bring the acidity to this dish with a non-too-powerful bite

Red wine vinegar – created that wonderful sour sauce that counterbalances the sweetness. Use a good red wine vinegar. I suggest French as they are bitter and acidic.

Rosemary springs – the oils balance off with the sauce and are always pork’s favorite herb.

Capers – salty and quite delicious with the shallot, garlic, and sugar.

Unsalted butter – I always use unsalted butter in my cooking or baking to control the amount of sodium. Salted butter not only adds too much salt to your dish, but it changes the flavor.

all the ingredients needed to make this bone pork chops with sweet sour sauce

Equipment Needed

I only suggest what I use in my kitchen, and I love it.

Large skillet – to cook your pork chops. Make sure that it has a heavy bottom for good heat distribution.

Chef knife – to slice the garlic and shallots

Cooking tongs – turn your chops without pinching them, releasing the internal juices.

Serving plate – to showcase your dinner.

A Chef Giangi Pick
Mauviel M'Heritage Polished Copper & Stainless Steel Frying Pan With Cast Iron Handles
Mauviel M'Heritage Polished Copper & Stainless Steel Frying Pan With Cast Iron Handles
Buy On Amazon
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Chef Tips

  • I used a half-inch-thick chop to create this excellent recipe of bone-in pork chops with a sweet, sour sauce. You can even use up to two inches in thickness. Do not go thinner chops as they will cook too fast and become tough.
  • I make a couple of vertical incisions on the fat band to ensure your pork chops will not curl up while cooking. This will prevent the chop from curling and have one section overcooked while the curled part is not.
  • Do not slice too deep to cut through the meat.
bone in pork chops wiht the fat band slightly cut

Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions to make this fantastic pork chops recipe

This recipe is very straightforward, and as will all my recipes, I suggest you have all your ingredients ready before cooking.

Leave the pork chops out at room temperature so it will take less time to cook, but your chops will sear better.

  • Season them generously with salt and pepper and cook in a large skillet. Ensure your chops have ample cooking space and do not touch each other.
  • Cook for 3 minutes on each side, remove from the heat, and place them on a plate. They will not be fully cooked at this point.
  • Cook the shallot and garlic until soft and golden.
  • Add the vinegar and sugar to the skillet and cook until the vinegar has evaporated.
  • Add the rosemary, water, and capers, and reduce to create the sauce, and it has emulsified.
  • Return the chops to the skillet to warm up.
  • Add the butter and swirl. The butter has to melt naturally and not by cooking.
  • Simmer for a few more minutes and serve.
pork chops with sweet sour sauce

What goes well with this pork chops recipe

This dish can be enjoyed over a bed of arugula if you wish.

To make it a more decadent meal, you can always add the following:

are great side dishes with pork chops.

pork chops with sweet sour sauce

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage:

This simple recipe stores well for a couple of days in an airtight container in the fridge.

I like using glass jars, but any container will also work well.

Reheating:

Bring your container back to room temperature and place it in a skillet over medium-high with a few drops of water.

Stir to heat evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pork chips a good cut of meat?

Depending of your butcher or where you buy your meat, they may be tender and mild tasting and need a quick cooking. Otherwise, they can be tough and need braising to soften, but they are very flavorful at the end.

What is the best way to cook pork chops?

You will need only two to three minutes per side over medium-high heat for thin pork chops. This technique will brown them beautifully and cook them all the way through.

For thicker chops, brown both sides and cook for about five to six minutes on each side.

Is pork chops healthier than beef?

Pork has lower fat and cholesterol levels than beef but fewer minerals and vitamins.

If you enjoy those delicious pork chops with sweet and sour sauce, you may want to try:

Pork Chops with Balsamic Caramelized Onions

Pork Roast Roasted with Bacon

White Balsamic Pork Chops with Roasted Potatoes and Peas

Pork Chops with Cheese – A French Classic

Shop This Post

Pork Chops with Sweet Sour Sauce

5 from 2 votes
Pork Chops with Sweet Sour Sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Author: Giangi Townsend
This is the perfect recipe for a super quick weeknight dinner. In less than 20 minutes, those Pork Chops with Sweet Sour Sauce are on the table.
Print Pin

Ingredients 

  • 2 11/2" thick bone-in pork chops
  • salt
  • 1½ teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 rosemary springs
  • 1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Season the pork chops with salt and ½ teaspoon sugar. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high. Cook chops, without touching them, until well browned underneath, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook the other side for another minute, slightly browned. Transfer to a plate (they will not be cooked), reduce the heat.
  • Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil into the same skillet and add the shallot and garlic. Cook stirring often until softened and just beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. 
  • Add the vinegar and remaining tablespoon of sugar to the skillet. Cook until the vinegar is nearly evaporated, about 3 minutes. 
  • Add rosemary, capers and ½ cup water to the skillet. Season with salt. Reduce the heat as needed to maintain a very low simmer. Add butter and swirl pan continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and emulsified. 
  • Return the pork chops to the skillet arranging darker side up. Simmer gently in sauce until the chops are cooked about 3-5 minutes.
  • Transfer pork chops to plate and spoon sauce over it.

Notes

This recipe is very straightforward, and as will all my recipes, I suggest you have all your ingredients ready before cooking.
Leave the pork chops out at room temperature so it will take less time to cook, but your chops will sear better.

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 565mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 395IU | Vitamin C: 2.9mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @giangiskitchen on Instagram

Visit my Amazon Storefront for my selection of favorite kitchen essentials. I only recommend equipment that I use and love.

Giangi's Kitchen Amazon Storefront

Originally published on November 5, 2019.