Balsamic Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions

Easy and delicious recipe for balsamic pork chops. The sesame oil adds a different flavor, but can be swapped for olive oil. I've made it many times with and without the onions.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 315 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• ½ sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 2 (5 ounce) center-cut pork chops
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder, or to taste (Optional)
• 2 small cloves garlic, finely chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Toss onion slices and olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until onions are evenly coated with oil. Cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking and stirring until onion is very tender and dark brown, about 25 to 35 more minutes.

Step 2

While the onions are cooking, rub both sides of the pork chops with salt, pepper, and chili powder.

Step 3

Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add pork chops to the hot skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Reduce heat to medium and season chops with more salt, pepper, and chili powder, if desired. Add garlic to the pan and pour in 1/2 of the balsamic vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, flip the chops, and add the remaining balsamic vinegar. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, flip, and cook another 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 4

Place caramelized onions in the pan with the pork chops. Cook, flipping chops at least 1 more time, until no longer pink in the center, 3 to 5 minutes longer. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).