Why You'll Love These Sticky Pork Chops
What’s not to love about a meal that takes less than 30 minutes to get on the table but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it? With these sticky pork chops, you’re getting an impressive depth of flavour without any fuss. Plus, it’s made from pantry staples like soy sauce, honey, and garlic – so there’s a good chance you already have everything you need at home! 🍯🥢
The real star of the show here is the sticky glaze – it clings to the pork chops, giving you a flavour-packed bite every time. Pair that with some fresh bok choy for crunch and serve it all over a bed of fluffy white rice, and you’ve got a meal that’s balanced, delicious, and hearty.
Tips for Making the Best Sticky Pork Chops Every Time
While this recipe is simple, there are a few tips and tricks to ensure you get the juiciest, tastiest sticky pork chops every time:
- Choose Quality Pork Chops: Opt for bone-in pork chops if possible. They tend to stay juicier and have more flavour than boneless ones. If you can, get them from your local butcher, as they’re often fresher than supermarket cuts.
- Browning is Key: Don’t skip the step where you brown your pork chops before adding the sauce. This caramelises the edges and adds a deep, rich flavour that you just can’t get from sauce alone. Make sure your pan is super hot when you first put them in – this will get you that perfect golden crust. 🍳
- The Magic of Rice Wine Vinegar: While soy sauce and honey do most of the heavy lifting in the flavour department, it’s the rice wine vinegar that really brings everything together. It cuts through the sweetness of the honey and adds a nice tang, balancing out the flavours beautifully.
- Watch the Sauce: As the sauce reduces, it thickens and becomes sticky – exactly what we want! But be sure to keep an eye on it. It can go from perfect to burnt in a flash, so stay close by, and once the sauce coats the back of a spoon, you know you’re good to go.
- Garnish with Freshness: Want to elevate these sticky pork chops even further? Add some freshly sliced spring onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds right before serving. Not only does it add a bit of crunch, but it also makes the dish look extra fancy! 🌿
Serving Suggestions
These sticky pork chops are so versatile! Here’s how I like to serve them:
Rice: You can’t go wrong with classic white rice, jasmine or basmati are my favourites. The fluffy rice soaks up all that sticky sauce, giving you extra delicious bites. For a healthier alternative, brown rice or quinoa works beautifully too. 🍚
Bok Choy: Bok choy adds a refreshing crunch and subtle bitterness that balances out the sweetness of the sauce. If you’re not into bok choy, swap it for other greens like broccolini, spinach, or snow peas.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes: For a comforting twist, serve these pork chops with mashed sweet potatoes. The natural sweetness of the spuds pairs perfectly with the sticky glaze. 🥔
Fresh Asian Slaw: A fresh cabbage and carrot slaw dressed with a light sesame or ginger dressing cuts through the richness of the pork and adds a nice textural contrast. 🥗
And of course, don’t forget a nice cold drink to wash it all down! A crisp cider or a light, citrusy white wine would be the perfect pairing for this dish. 🍷🍺
Looking for More Easy Dinners Like Sticky Pork Chops?
If you loved these sticky pork chops, here are some similar recipes that are perfect for weeknight dinners:
Share Your Creations!
That’s it! These sticky pork chops are an absolute winner in my book – they’re easy to make, packed with flavour, and perfect for busy nights.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it! Snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff so I can see your amazing creations. 📸💛
Sticky Pork Chops
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Craving something delicious and quick? These sticky pork chops will hit the spot with that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and a little zing. Ready in no time, you can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes! Let’s do this!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by cutting 4 small slits into the pork skin towards the meat—this helps keep your chops flat while cooking, so they brown evenly. Season them with salt, pepper, and a splash of olive oil.
- Get a hot pan going and brown the chops for a few minutes on each side.
- Take the pork chops out of the pan and toss in your bok choy, breaking it apart a bit.
- Pour in the soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Let the bok choy cook for about a minute until it starts to wilt. Take it out of the pan.
- Place your pork chops back in the pan. As the sauce reduces, it will get sticky and coat the chops with deliciousness! Let them cook for about 2 minutes on each side, and voila—you’ve got sticky, flavour-packed chops!
- Serve with fluffy white rice, and you’ve got yourself a dinner that’ll impress every time.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Boneless pork chops will work just fine in this recipe. Just keep an eye on them as they tend to cook a bit faster than bone-in chops, so you might want to shave a minute or two off the cooking time.
Yes, you can! If you’re making them in advance, I recommend undercooking them slightly and then reheating them in the sauce when you’re ready to serve. This way, they won’t dry out, and you’ll still get that sticky glaze.
If bok choy isn’t your thing or you can’t find it, feel free to swap it for another green veggie. Broccolini, green beans, or even spinach would be great substitutes.