Perfectly Juicy & Flavorful BBQ Baked Pork Chops: Your New Favorite 30-Minute Oven Recipe
Prepare to indulge in the most succulent BBQ Baked Pork Chops you’ve ever tasted! Featuring a secret marinade that’s bursting with flavor, this incredible recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
Crafted with readily available pantry staples and minimal ingredients, our oven-baked pork chops deliver an unparalleled depth of flavor with every bite. If you’re a fan of our Sticky BBQ Ribs, then get ready to be absolutely amazed by these incredibly juicy baked pork chops. This versatile recipe works beautifully whether you prefer bone-in or boneless pork chops, ensuring tender results every time.
The Secret to Unforgettable Oven-Baked Pork Chops
Say hello to your new go-to, incredibly easy pork dinner! There’s something truly special about a perfectly cooked cut of pork, especially when it’s generously coated in a rich, flavorful barbecue sauce. This recipe not only delivers on taste but also leaves you with an abundance of that fantastic sauce – perfect for drizzling over your favorite side dishes. Imagine it blanketing creamy accompaniments like our Creamy Mashed Potatoes or our indulgent Buttery Mashed Cauliflower.
This isn’t just any sauce; it’s a game-changer for your baked pork chops. Here’s why this BBQ marinade stands out:
- Ensures Tender & Juicy Pork Chops: The thick, luscious sauce creates a protective layer, sealing in moisture and keeping the pork chops incredibly tender and juicy on the inside. This ingenious method means there’s no need for aluminum foil during baking, simplifying your cooking process.
- Achieves Golden, Crispy Edges: As the pork chops bake, the sugar in the marinade caramelizes, developing beautifully charred and crispy edges that add delightful texture and deeper flavor.
- Creates Rich Pan Juices: During baking, the marinade mingles with the natural pork juices, creating an abundance of savory pan juices. These juices are infused with incredible flavor, allowing you to achieve a deeply satisfying taste without the need for lengthy marination.
You’ll love how easily you can find all the ingredients, many of which are likely already stocked in your kitchen pantry!
How to Bake Pork Chops to Perfection (No Brining Required!)
Forget the fuss of brining or lengthy marinating times! With this simple method, you’ll be treated to tender, juicy baked pork chops that will have everyone asking for more. Follow these easy steps to achieve pork chop perfection:
- Prepare Your Oven: Start by adjusting your oven shelf. Move it to about 8 inches (20 cm) from the top heating element *before* you preheat. This crucial step sets you up for the broiling phase later, ensuring even browning and caramelization. Then, preheat your oven to 430°F (220°C) for a standard oven, or 390°F (200°C) for a fan-forced/convection oven.
- Mix the Marinade: While the oven heats, whip up our incredible BBQ marinade. While we love Masterfoods BBQ sauce for its balanced flavor, feel free to use your favorite brand like Hunt’s Original or Sweet Baby Ray’s. The key is to combine it with a few other ingredients that enhance its depth and complexity.
- Season the Chops: Pat your pork chops dry with paper towels – this helps the seasoning adhere better and promotes a nicer crust. Then, season them generously with a blend of seasoning salt, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. If you don’t have all these on hand, a simple substitute of regular salt or sea salt and fresh cracked pepper will still yield delicious results.
Now for the magic! Slather about *two-thirds* of the prepared BBQ sauce generously over your seasoned pork chops, ensuring all sides are well-coated. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting later – this is key to building layers of flavor. Bake the pork chops for 15 minutes in your hot, preheated oven. After 15 minutes, remove the tray, flip your chops, and baste them with the reserved marinade. This step infuses even more flavor and moisture. Change your oven setting to broil (or grill) on a medium-high heat. Broil for approximately 7-10 minutes to kickstart that irresistible caramelization process, watching closely to prevent burning.
Finally, flip the chops one last time, basting them with the delicious pan juices that have formed. Return them to the broiler for just a couple more minutes. This final broiling ensures the pork chops are perfectly cooked through, wonderfully caramelized, and boasting a mouth-watering golden finish on all sides. This is an essential step if you’re aiming for those sought-after golden-brown baked pork chops with deep, rich flavor.
Common Questions Answered
Should You Cover Pork Chops When Baking?
With *this* particular recipe, there’s absolutely no need to cover your pork chops with foil during baking! Our thick, rich marinade acts as a natural barrier, locking in moisture and ensuring your chops remain incredibly juicy without drying out. This is one of the many reasons why these baked pork chops are so effortless to prepare.
How Long to Bake Pork Chops?
The total cooking time for these perfect baked pork chops is approximately 25 minutes, though this can vary slightly depending on your oven’s specific calibration and the thickness of your chops. It’s crucial to keep a close eye on them, especially during the broiling phase, to prevent any burning. Ovens can run at different temperatures, so always exercise caution and check for doneness. Aim for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for safe consumption and optimal juiciness.
How to Cook Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out
Drying out pork chops is a common concern, but this recipe is specifically designed to keep them incredibly moist and tender. The secret lies in a multi-pronged approach:
- The Powerful Marinade: As mentioned, our flavorful BBQ sauce acts as a protective shield, coating the meat and preventing moisture loss during cooking. It’s essentially a self-basting system!
- Strategic Baking & Broiling: Baking the pork chops for the initial 15 minutes, followed by a further 10 minutes under the broiler, creates a beautifully crispy, caramelized outer layer. This crust not only adds texture and flavor but also helps to seal in the juices, recirculating them back into the meat as it cooks.
- Timely Flipping: Flipping the pork chops a couple of times throughout the baking and broiling process ensures that the meat cooks evenly on both sides. This technique is vital for retaining those precious juices and also prevents any single edge from burning, resulting in perfectly cooked chops all around.
- Resting Period: While not explicitly detailed in the original extract, a crucial step for *any* cooked meat is allowing it to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chop, resulting in maximum tenderness and juiciness. Don’t skip this easy step!
Serving Suggestions & Variations
These BBQ baked pork chops are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Beyond mashed potatoes or cauliflower, consider serving them with roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, a fresh garden salad, or fluffy rice to soak up all that delicious extra sauce. For a touch of sweetness, some grilled pineapple rings would complement the BBQ flavors perfectly.
Feeling adventurous? You can customize the recipe by experimenting with different types of BBQ sauce – a spicy version for a kick, or a smoky hickory for a deeper flavor. A sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro or green onions at the end can add a vibrant, fresh note. Don’t be afraid to make this recipe truly your own!
More Delicious Pork Chop Recipes
- Easy Honey Garlic Pork Chops
- Pork Chops With Creamy Mushroom Sauce
- Creamed Spinach Stuffed Pork Chops
Saved
Pin
Baked Pork Chops
Ingredients
MARINADE
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pinch cayenne pepper
PORK CHOPS
- 4 pork chops or cutlets, bone in or boneless
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 pinch salt to season
- 1 pinch pepper to season
Instructions
-
Move oven shelf to about 8-inches/20cm from the top heat element. Preheat oven to 430°F (220°C) for standard oven, or 390°F (200°C) for fan forced/convection.
-
Lightly grease a baking sheet/tray with oil. Line with foil or parchment paper, set aside.
-
Combine together Bbq sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, minced garlic, salt and cayenne pepper in a bowl, Mix well, set aside.
-
Rub pork chops with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Arrange chops onto prepared baking sheet.
-
Take two-thirds of the marinade to slather each chop generously all over. Reserve the rest for basting later.
-
Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Flip pork over and baste each chop with the reserved marinade, brushing all over to evenly coat (or spread using the back of a spoon).
-
Change oven setting to broil (grill) on medium-high heat setting. Broil until edges are caramelized, about 7-10 minutes (please make sure oven shelf is about 8-inches/20cm from the top heat element).
-
Remove from oven. Flip once more and baste all over with the pan juices. Return to broiler for a further 1-3 minutes until nice and golden.
-
To serve, brush all pan juices back onto the pork. Season with a little extra cracked black pepper and garnish with parsley or fresh herbs of choice.
Notes
- Baking pork chops for the first 15 minutes, then broiling for a further 10 minutes all together creates a crispy outer layer.
- Always allow pork chops to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices and ensure maximum tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for safe consumption.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.