Disclaimer: Our editors have used AI to create or enhance parts of this article and some images. All content has been fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy.
Here’s my go-to Easter pineapple pork chops recipe, with tender meat that’s perfectly seasoned, topped with sweet pineapple rings, and finished with a simple brown sugar glaze that brings everything together.
These pork chops have become our Easter dinner tradition, and I always make a few extra for lunch the next day. There’s something special about the way the pineapple adds just the right amount of sweetness to the savory pork – it’s like having a little bit of spring on your plate!
Why You’ll Love These Pineapple Pork Chops
- Quick weeknight dinner – Ready in under an hour, these pork chops are perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Sweet and savory combo – The blend of juicy pineapple and savory soy sauce creates a perfect balance that makes these pork chops extra special.
- Simple ingredients – Using mostly pantry staples and easy-to-find items, you won’t need to hunt down any fancy ingredients to make this dish.
- Family-friendly recipe – Kids and adults alike love the combination of tender pork with sweet pineapple sauce – it’s a crowd-pleaser that works for both casual dinners and special occasions.
What Kind of Pork Chops Should I Use?
For this recipe, boneless center-cut pork chops are your best bet, though rib chops will work nicely too. Look for chops that are about 1-inch thick – anything thinner might cook too quickly and become dry, while thicker cuts could take too long to cook through. When shopping, pick chops with a nice pink color and some marbling (those little streaks of fat), as this will help keep the meat juicy during cooking. If you can only find bone-in chops at your store, don’t worry – they’ll work just fine, but you might need to adjust your cooking time by a few minutes.
Options for Substitutions
This tasty pork chop recipe can be adapted with several easy swaps if needed:
- Pork chops: While boneless pork chops are ideal, you can use bone-in chops – just add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. Chicken breasts work too, but reduce cooking time by about 2 minutes per side.
- Chicken broth: Vegetable broth makes a good substitute, or you can use water mixed with 1 chicken bouillon cube. In a pinch, just water will work, but the sauce won’t be as flavorful.
- Soy sauce: Coconut aminos make a great gluten-free alternative, or use tamari for a similar taste. If using salt instead, start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste.
- Pineapple juice and chunks: Fresh pineapple works great here – just blend some chunks for juice. If you’re out of pineapple completely, try orange juice and mandarin oranges, though this will change the flavor profile.
- Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder or flour work as thickeners too. Double the amount if using flour, and mix with cold water before adding to avoid lumps.
- Brown sugar: Honey or maple syrup can replace brown sugar – start with 1½ tablespoons since they’re a bit sweeter. Regular sugar works too, but you’ll miss some of that nice caramel note.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when cooking pork chops is overcooking them, which can turn your juicy meat into a tough, dry disappointment – use a meat thermometer and remove the chops from heat when they reach 145°F (they’ll continue cooking while resting). Another common mistake is not patting the pork chops dry before searing, which prevents that beautiful golden-brown crust from forming – take a minute to thoroughly dry them with paper towels and season well with salt and pepper. To get the most flavor from your sauce, avoid rushing the reduction process – let it simmer until it reaches a syrupy consistency, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. For the best results, let your pork chops rest for 5 minutes after cooking, allowing the juices to redistribute throughout the meat before slicing.
What to Serve With Pineapple Pork Chops?
These sweet and savory pork chops pair really well with simple white or brown rice, which is perfect for soaking up all that tasty pineapple sauce. If you want to add some green to your plate, steamed broccoli or sugar snap peas work great with the Asian-inspired flavors of the dish. For something a bit different, try serving it with coconut rice or even some stir-fried vegetables – the tropical pineapple flavors in the sauce taste amazing with these sides. A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing would also add a nice, fresh crunch to balance out the rich sauce.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These tasty pork chops will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to store them with the pineapple sauce – it helps keep the meat moist and flavorful. The flavors actually get even better after a day as everything mingles together!
Freeze: You can freeze these pork chops with their sauce for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Just keep in mind that the pineapple chunks might get a bit softer after freezing and thawing, but they’ll still taste great.
Reheat: To warm up your pork chops, place them in a covered skillet over low heat with the sauce, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. Add a splash of pineapple juice or chicken broth if the sauce seems too thick. Just be careful not to overheat, as this can make the pork tough.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-35 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-50 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 600-700
- Protein: 60-70 g
- Fat: 20-25 g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60 g
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 can chicken broth (14.5 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 can pineapple chunks, drained (15 ounces)
Step 1: Sear the Pork Chops
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, place pork chops in the skillet and sear them for 5 minutes on each side until they develop a nice golden crust.
Remove the chops from the skillet and transfer them to a plate for resting.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce Base
In the same skillet, add broth, soy sauce, and vinegar.
Bring this mixture to a boil.
Carefully return the seared pork chops to the skillet.
Lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the pork chops are no longer pink in the center, which should take about 20 minutes.
Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
Once cooked, turn off the heat, transfer the pork chops to a plate, and keep them warm.
Leave the cooking liquid in the skillet.
Step 3: Thicken the Sauce
In a separate bowl, stir together pineapple juice, brown sugar, and cornstarch until the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved.
Pour this mixture into the skillet with the remaining cooking liquid.
Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Allow the sauce to come to a boil and thicken slightly.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Add pineapple chunks to the thickening sauce and cook until the pineapple is heated through, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
Once the sauce is ready, serve it over the warm pork chops, allowing the sweet and savory flavors to enhance the dish.
Enjoy your delicious, tropical-inspired meal!