Marinated Brined Pork Chops

Pork chops are brined in a salt-and-sugar spice marinade, then baked for an easy weeknight dinner.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 207 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dried sage
• 10 cups cold water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, or as needed, divided
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.5 cup salt
• 2.5 pounds pork loin chops

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Add salt, sugar, sage, and garlic powder. Remove from heat and stir until mostly dissolved. Add cold water to cool the brining mixture. Place pork chops in a plastic freezer bag or other airtight container. Add brining liquid, close tightly, and refrigerate for 6 hours.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a baking dish with about 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil.

Step 3

Drain pork chops, discarding brine. Place chops in the prepared dish and brush lightly with remaining olive oil.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until chops are no longer pink in the center and juice is clear, about 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).