Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops
This recipe for Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops were absolute perfection!
I have been making Sweet Tea Brined Chicken for years now.
For some reason it dawned on me to try it with pork.
Pork is a meat that does tend to dry out, but with this brine it was perfectly juicy and moist.
Even my leftovers didn’t dry out so that’s pretty impressive.
This dish does require some planning ahead because it will brine for at least 24 hours.
I made the brine the night before dinner by bringing 3 cups of water to boil.
Here’s how to make Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops
Then add in 6 tea bags, brown sugar, fresh thyme, kosher salt, peppercorns, and garlic.
Let this sit for awhile until it comes to room temp.
Remove the tea bags and add the brine to a gallon size plastic bag with 6 boneless pork chops.
I put the bag back into my saucepan (in case of leakage) before putting it in the fridge to brine overnight.
When ready to make this meal, remove the pork from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels.
Sprinkle a little season salt and pepper on both sides.
Then set a skillet over medium heat.
Once the skillet is hot add the olive oil and the pork chops.
These will cook 3 to 5 minutes per side depending on how thick they are.
Best bet is to check with a thermometer.
Once they hit 145 degrees we are good to go đŸ™‚
I am very much of a saucy person, so I was shocked that these literally do not need a sauce.
We had them with cooked apples in butter and cinnamon and it was the perfect compliment to these Sweet Tea brined Pork Chops.
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Cooking these in the Air Fryer…
These can be easily cooked in the air fryer for 13 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping halfway through.
No need to add any cooking oil at all and cooked to perfection đŸ™‚
More yummy recipes to try like Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops…
Maple Sriracha Pork and Apples
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops
Sweet Tea Brined Chicken
Pork Chops with Dijon Cream Sauce
Fireball Whiskey Pork Tenderloin
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Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops
Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops are super flavorful and juicy thanks to a simple sweet tea brine for the perfect easy dinner
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 6 tea bags
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 10 whole peppercorns
- 1 bunch fresh thyme
- 6 boneless pork chops
- Optional: season salt, pepper
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
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Put 3 cups water into a saucepan, bring to a boil and remove from stove.
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To the saucepan add the tea bags, brown sugar and kosher salt, garlic cloves, whole black peppercorns, and fresh thyme. Let this mixture come to room temperature and remove the tea bags (add a few ice cubes if needed).
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Place pork chops in a shallow dish or gallon size baggie. Pour the sweet tea brine over top of the pork. Set in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
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After the pork has brined for 24 hours, remove from the brine and discard the brine. Pat pork dry and sprinkle with season salt and pepper if desired.
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Set a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Once hot add the pork chops and cook 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Remove once the pork reaches 145 degrees.
Note: These can be cooked in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Serve with more fresh thyme ove top if desired.
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