Flavorful Balsamic Cherry Glazed Pork Chops
Juicy pork chops glazed with a sweet and tangy balsamic cherry sauce infused with fresh thyme, perfect for an easy and impressive weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless pork chops, about 1-inch thick
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted (or thawed frozen cherries)
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, combine pitted cherries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and minced garlic. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and reduce for 10-12 minutes until thick and glossy. Stir in fresh thyme leaves near the end.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden crust forms. Flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Spoon half of the cherry glaze over the pork chops in the pan. Add butter and baste the chops with melted butter and glaze for 3-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Remove pork chops to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Drizzle remaining glaze over the chops, garnish with extra thyme sprigs, and serve immediately.
Notes
Pat pork chops dry before seasoning for a better sear. Use medium-high heat to develop a crust. Reduce glaze gently to avoid burning. Basting with butter helps glaze cling to chops. Rest meat for 5 minutes before serving. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or extra olive oil. Frozen cherries can be used if thawed first.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with gla
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: balsamic cherry glaze, pork chops, easy dinner, weeknight meal, sweet and savory, fresh thyme, quick recipe