Juicy Pork Chops
Description
These juicy pork chops are brined to keep them moist and tender, then seasoned with a brown sugar and spice dry rub, seared, and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
•
4 cups cold water
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1/4 cup kosher salt
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1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
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1 bay leaf
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4 (5 ounce) center-cut pork chops on the bone
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1/2 cup packed brown sugar
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
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1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1 tablespoon olive oil, or more as needed
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aluminum foil
Directions
1
Make the brine: Combine cold water, salt, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a bowl. Place pork chops in a shallow baking dish and pour brine over top. Let sit for 1 to 2 hours.
2
Meanwhile, make the rub: Combine brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
3
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4
Remove pork chops from brine, rinse under cold water, and pat dry. Rub pork chops generously on both sides with the seasoning mix. Discard brine.
5
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to the hot skillet. Add pork chops to the hot oil and sear until browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
6
Turn pork chops and place skillet in the preheated oven. Bake until no longer pink in the center, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.