Pineapple Ginger Pork Chops
Sweet, savory, and sizzling with tropical flair — your weeknight dinner just got a serious glow-up.
While the marinade brings bold flavor, it’s the prep that turns good pork chops into great ones. A few simple techniques make all the difference:
- Brining keeps the meat juicy and flavorful — even a quick 30-minute soak works wonders.
- Searing first develops a golden crust and seals in moisture before finishing in the oven.
- Cooking to 145°F ensures tender, perfectly done pork every time.
- Resting before slicing locks in those delicious juices.
With minimal hands-on effort, these Pineapple Ginger Pork Chops deliver a hearty, protein-rich meal that’s both family-friendly and dinner-party ready. The sweet-savory balance is irresistible — even picky eaters will want seconds. And the marinade? Save it! It’s a tropical game-changer for pork, chicken, or shrimp.
🧂 Ingredients
| Category | Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pork Chops | Bone-in pork chops (1-inch thick) | 4 |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon | |
| Unsalted butter | 2 tablespoons (cut into 4 pieces) | |
| Brine (Optional) | Kosher salt | ¼ cup |
| Warm water | 4 cups | |
| Apple cider vinegar | 2 tablespoons | |
| Brown sugar | 2 tablespoons | |
| Ice | 1 cup | |
| Marinade | Freshly grated ginger | 4 teaspoons |
| Garlic powder | 2 teaspoons | |
| Honey | 1½ tablespoons | |
| Room temperature butter | 2 tablespoons | |
| Coconut aminos | 3 tablespoons | |
| Reserved pineapple juice | 2 tablespoons | |
| Sea salt | ¼ teaspoon | |
| For Serving | Pineapple rings (fresh or canned) | 4 |
| Fresh cilantro, chopped | As desired |
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Brine the Chops (Optional)
Whisk salt into warm water until dissolved. Stir in vinegar, brown sugar, and ice. Add pork chops and let brine for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
2️⃣ Make the Marinade
In a bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Reserve 2 tablespoons for finishing.
3️⃣ Marinate the Pork
Rub pork chops with the marinade and let sit for 15 minutes.
4️⃣ Sear the Chops
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chops for 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Top each with ½ tablespoon of butter.
5️⃣ Finish in the Oven
Transfer the skillet to a 400°F oven and bake for 5–10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
6️⃣ Rest & Serve
Let the chops rest for 5 minutes, then drizzle with the reserved marinade.
7️⃣ Grill the Pineapple
Grill pineapple rings for 4 minutes per side, until caramelized. Serve alongside the pork chops and garnish with fresh cilantro.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair these flavorful chops with roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, or a colorful vegetable stir-fry. A fresh pineapple salsa also makes a perfect complement. However you serve them, these chops bring a satisfying, tropical twist to the table.
