Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe
This ain’t your grandma’s dry-as-sandpaper pork. We’re talking juicy, tender, and packed with a sweet and savory pineapple glaze that’ll make you wanna lick your plate. Trust me, even picky eaters will be begging for seconds. This Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero.
My husband, bless his heart, used to think pork chops were only good for shoe leather. Seriously. But then I whipped up these Instant Pot wonders. Now? He actually requests them! And my kids? Forget about it. They inhale these things like they’re going out of style. One time, I made a double batch and caught my youngest sneaking one straight from the fridge. Cold. And she didn’t even care! That’s when I knew this recipe was a winner.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe
- It’s faster than ordering takeout! Seriously, from fridge to table in under an hour.
- The pork chops are SO tender, they practically melt in your mouth. No more dry, chewy pork! Hallelujah!
- That pineapple glaze? Sweet, tangy, and just a little bit sticky. It’s like a party in your mouth.
- It’s basically a one-pot wonder, which means fewer dishes. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love that?
- Even if you screw up (and let’s face it, we all do sometimes), it’s still gonna taste pretty darn good.
How to Make It
Okay, so first things first, grab those pork chops! I usually use bone-in because they have more flavor, but boneless works just fine too, especially if that’s what you have on hand. Don’t stress about it. Give ’em a good sprinkle of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Don’t be shy!
Now, sear those babies! This is important. Get your Instant Pot hot (use the saute function) and add a little oil. Then brown the pork chops on both sides. This gives them that amazing flavor and helps them stay juicy. Don’t overcrowd the pot, work in batches if you need to. And don’t worry if they stick a little, just scrape up those browned bits. That’s where the flavor is!
Next, whisk together all that yummy sauce stuff – soy sauce (or tamari if you’re gluten-free, like me!), brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Pour it over the pork chops.
Then, add your pineapple chunks. Fresh pineapple is amazing, but canned works in a pinch too. Just make sure you drain it really well!
Pop the lid on the Instant Pot, set it to high pressure, and cook for like, 10 minutes. Seriously, that’s it! Let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes, then do a quick release. Be careful! That steam is HOT!
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Finally, thicken up the sauce! Take the pork chops out and set them aside. Then turn the Instant Pot back to saute and whisk in a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a little water). Cook until the sauce is nice and thick.
Pour that glorious glaze over the pork chops and sprinkle with some sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Boom! Dinner is served.
Ingredient Notes
- Pork Chops: Listen, thick or thin, bone-in or boneless… it all works. I personally love bone-in for the extra flavor but sometimes I forget to take them out of the freezer and boneless is the MVP.
- Soy Sauce: Okay, so I’m gluten-free, so I always use tamari. But regular soy sauce is totally fine too. If you’re watching your sodium, go for the low-sodium stuff. I won’t judge.
- Brown Sugar: This gives the sauce that yummy sweetness and helps it thicken up. If you’re out, honey or maple syrup will do in a pinch. I’ve used both!
- Pineapple: Fresh is best, hands down. But canned works! Just make sure you drain it. Seriously, drain it like your life depends on it. Otherwise, the sauce will be watery.
- Sesame Oil: Don’t skip this! It adds a nutty, toasted flavor that really makes the sauce sing.
- Ginger & Garlic: Fresh is always better but if you’re lazy (like me, sometimes), the jarred stuff is fine. Just don’t tell anyone I said that.
Recipe Steps:
- Season: Season the pork chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sear: Sear the pork chops in the Instant Pot until browned on both sides.
- Combine: Whisk together soy sauce (or tamari), brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
- Pour: Pour the sauce over the pork chops in the Instant Pot.
- Add: Add the pineapple chunks.
- Cook: Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release and a quick release.
- Thicken: Remove the pork chops, set the Instant Pot to saute, and thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry.
- Serve: Pour the glaze over the pork chops and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
What to Serve It With
Rice is a no-brainer! It soaks up all that delicious sauce. I also love serving these with some steamed broccoli or green beans for a little veggie action. Mashed potatoes are amazing too, especially if you swirl in a little of that pineapple glaze. Don’t knock it ’til you try it!
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t overcook the pork chops! They’ll get dry and sad. The Instant Pot is great, but it’s not magic.
- If the sauce is too thin, just cook it a little longer with the saute function. It’ll thicken up eventually.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with the flavors! Add a little more ginger, garlic, or red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- I once forgot to add the brown sugar and the sauce was still good, just a little more savory. So, you know, don’t panic if you mess up.
Storage Tips
Leftovers are your friend! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop. They’re even pretty good cold straight from the fridge if you’re feeling lazy. I’ve definitely eaten them for breakfast before. Don’t judge!
Variations and Substitutions
- No pineapple? Try using mango or peaches instead. I’ve done it and it’s delicious!
- Out of brown sugar? Honey or maple syrup work great.
- If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar will do in a pinch.
- I’ve skipped the sesame oil when I ran out and no one even noticed. So, it’s okay if you forget it.
- If you’re feeling fancy, add a splash of sherry or cooking wine to the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces bone-in pork chops about 1 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Season the pork chops on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the olive oil. Sear the pork chops on each side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add the chicken broth to the pot, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
- Place a trivet inside the Instant Pot and arrange the pork chops on top.
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 8 minutes. Once cooked, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Remove the pork chops and switch the pot to sauté mode. Stir in the cornstarch mixture to thicken the sauce.
Notes
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