Save Succulent pork chops seared and glazed with a sweet, tangy cherry-date sauce for a quick, budget-friendly meal bursting with flavor.
This recipe brings a perfect balance of savory pork and sweet glaze that I first tried when looking for a fast weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Pork: 4 boneless pork chops (about 1 inch thick), 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cherry-Date Glaze: ½ cup dried cherries chopped, ¼ cup dried dates pitted and chopped, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- Garnish (optional): Fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 2:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and sear 3 4 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Remove to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
- Step 3:
- In the same skillet add dried cherries dates balsamic vinegar honey chicken broth Dijon mustard and thyme. Stir to combine scraping up any browned bits.
- Step 4:
- Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 6 8 minutes stirring occasionally until the fruit is soft and the sauce is slightly thickened.
- Step 5:
- Return the pork chops and any juices to the skillet spooning sauce over to coat. Warm for 2 3 minutes until heated through.
- Step 6:
- Serve pork chops topped with a generous spoonful of cherry-date glaze. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.
Save This dish has become a family favorite especially on busy weeknights when I want something both easy and impressive.
Notes
Serve with steamed green beans or roasted potatoes for a complete meal under $20. Substitute boneless chicken breasts for pork if preferred. For extra flavor add a splash of orange juice to the glaze.
Required Tools
Large skillet, Tongs, Measuring cups and spoons, Sharp knife and cutting board
Nutritional Information
Calories 320, Total Fat 12 g, Carbohydrates 30 g, Protein 26 g per serving
Save This cherry-date glazed pork chop recipe is a perfect blend of sweet and savory for a quick and satisfying meal.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I achieve a perfect sear on pork chops?
Use a hot skillet with olive oil, pat chops dry, and sear 3–4 minutes per side until golden to lock in juices and flavor.
- → Can I substitute fresh fruits for dried cherries and dates?
Fresh fruits can alter the texture and sweetness; dried cherries and dates concentrate flavors and help thicken the glaze.
- → What sides complement pork chops with cherry-date glaze?
Steamed green beans, roasted potatoes, or a simple leafy salad balance the richness and enhance the meal.
- → Is it possible to make the glaze less sweet?
Reduce honey slightly or add extra balsamic vinegar to balance sweetness with tang.
- → How do fresh thyme and Dijon mustard affect the sauce?
Fresh thyme adds herbal aroma, and Dijon mustard contributes subtle depth and slight tanginess to the glaze.