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• Why You Need My Honey Garlic Pork Chops
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Honey Garlic Pork Chops
• My Recipe Tips
• Serving Ideas
• Honey Garlic Pork Chops Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

These honey garlic pork chops are sweet, garlicky, and a little sticky, in the best kind of way. They start out like my pan seared pork chops , but this time I glazed them with this makes-me-want-to-lick-the-pan sauce — and now they feel totally different. Not to mention, I can prep them fast, they cook just as fast, and they have major flavor going on. There’s so much to love about them. For those nights that you need a healthy dinner in a flash but are bored with the same basic proteins, make these pork chops with me!

Why You Need My Honey Garlic Pork Chops

• Tender pork chops with sweet-and-savory flavor – This irresistible sauce has a balance of sweet honey, umami coconut aminos, tangy vinegar, and punchy garlic, but it also leaves the pork so juicy. And I’ve got more tips to keep it that way. If you like my honey garlic chicken or honey garlic shrimp , you’ll love this recipe.
• So easy to make – Some recipes have a long ingredient list, but my honey garlic pork chops have a super simple 4-ingredient glaze and are ready in just 15 minutes.
• Versatile and family-friendly – I make these as a weeknight win most often, but they work for a relaxed Sunday dinner, too. Your whole family will love them — even my kids do!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my honey garlic pork chops, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Pork Chops – You can use boneless or bone-in pork chops, but I chose boneless. Either way, I recommend ones that are 1-inch thick.
• Honey – My go-to is natural sugar-free honey , but regular is fine, too. I like these fairly sweet, so used 3 tablespoons of the honey, but feel free to use 2 tablespoons for milder sweetness.
• Garlic – I highly recommend fresh minced garlic here, as it’s a main flavor in this dish! I did swap in a teaspoon of jarred minced garlic once though, and the pork chops were still quite good.
• Coconut Aminos – I use this as a soy sauce alternative to get umami flavor and a little extra sweetness. Reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari works if you have those.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – This ingredient does a lot for these honey garlic pork chops! It adds a subtle tangy kick, balances the sweetness of the honey, and helps to tenderize the meat (read: tender and juicy results!). Feel free to substitute white wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar for a similar effect.
• Seasonings – Garlic powder , cayenne pepper , sea salt, and black pepper.
• Olive Oil – For searing. Avocado oil or any oil you’ve got is fine.
• Butter – Adds richness. I like to use unsalted, so that I can control the salt separately. You can also just use more olive oil if you need to keep this recipe dairy-free.
• Garnish – I garnish these with green onions, but sesame seeds or even parsley is great, too.

How To Make Honey Garlic Pork Chops

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Prep and season the pork. Pat dry with a paper towel, then season both sides of the pork with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
2. Sear until golden. In a hot cast iron skillet with olive oil, sear the pork chops for on each side until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.

1. Sauté the garlic. Reduce the heat to medium, melt the butter, and sauté the garlic until fragrant.
2. Make the sauce. Add the honey, coconut aminos, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk together and cook until the sauce starts to thicken.
3. Bring it all together. Return the chops to the pan, coat in sauce, and heat until cooked through. Let your honey garlic pork chops rest before serving, and garnish with green onions.

My Recipe Tips

• Bring the pork to room temperature before cooking if you can. It’s not required, but they definitely turn out more juicy when I do, because they cook more evenly that way.
• A cast iron skillet gives the best sear and fastest cook time. This material retains heat well, so it’s my recommendation for searing just about anything .
• Make sure the pan is very hot before searing. This ensures a perfectly golden-brown crust, prevents sticking, and again, helps with even cooking. I watch for the oil to shimmer, and add a drop of water to the pan when it seems ready — it should sizzle.
• Use a meat thermometer for juicy results. The target internal temperature for pork is 145 degrees F, but I remove them a few degrees early because the temp rises a bit more while resting on a plate.
• Options for other cooking methods: I cook these honey garlic pork chops on the stovetop, but you can make the honey garlic sauce and cook the pork chops any other way you like. For example, I’ve also made the sauce and poured it over my baked pork chops or air fried pork chops !
• Want extra heat and flavor? Add gochujang, my latest obsession. Check out the glaze in my sockeye salmon recipe — it’s perfect for these pork chops, too.

Serving Ideas

These honey garlic pork chops have an Asian vibe to me, so I usually serve them with other Asian-inspired dishes. Try my bok choy , fried rice , cabbage salad , or Asian salad . My personal favorite with this dish is cauliflower fried rice !

If you’re not feeling rice, I do recommend something else to soak up the sauce, like roasted potatoes , roasted sweet potatoes , or even my cauliflower mash for a lighter option.

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 4 6-oz Pork chops (boneless or bone-in; 1 inch thick; preferably at room temperature) ▢
• 1 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
• ½ tsp Black pepper ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 3 tbsp Honey (I use natural sugar-free honey ) ▢
• 3 tbsp Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce) ▢
• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar ▢
• ¼ tsp Cayenne pepper (optional) ▢
• Green onions (sliced; optional, for garnish) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper.
2. In a cast iron skillet , heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Add the pork chops in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes on each side, without moving except to flip, until golden brown on both sides. Remove the chops from the pan.
3. Reduce the temperature to medium heat. Add the butter to the pan and melt. Add the garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds , until fragrant.
4. Add the honey, coconut aminos, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk together and cook for 2 minutes , until the sauce starts to thicken.
5. Add the pork chops back to the pan in a single layer and baste in the sauce. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side for boneless pork chops or 4-5 minutes on each side for bone-in pork chops, or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
6. Transfer the honey garlic pork chops to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before serving. (The internal temperature should rise to 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) during resting.)

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 pork chop

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you make the juiciest pork chops with a golden brown crust, plus variations for other cooking options or extra flavor.
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
• Reheat: You can bake these at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, or heat them in a pan again along with the sauce.
• Freeze: These honey garlic pork chops keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months, right in the sauce. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before heating.
• Note on nutrition info: The optional ingredients are not included, and I calculated it using my natural Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey . Sugar content will obviously be higher if you use regular.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

These honey garlic pork chops are juicy, sweet, and savory, with an irresistible glaze and simple ingredients. An easy 15-minute recipe!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/honey-garlic-pork-chops/

Ingredients

• 4 6-oz Pork chops (boneless or bone-in; 1 inch thick; preferably at room temperature)
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• ½ tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 3 tbsp Honey (I use natural sugar-free honey )
• 3 tbsp Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Green onions (sliced; optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and black pepper.
2. In a cast iron skillet , heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Add the pork chops in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes on each side, without moving except to flip, until golden brown on both sides. Remove the chops from the pan.
3. Reduce the temperature to medium heat. Add the butter to the pan and melt. Add the garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds , until fragrant.
4. Add the honey, coconut aminos, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk together and cook for 2 minutes , until the sauce starts to thicken.
5. Add the pork chops back to the pan in a single layer and baste in the sauce. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side for boneless pork chops or 4-5 minutes on each side for bone-in pork chops, or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
6. Transfer the honey garlic pork chops to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before serving. (The internal temperature should rise to 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) during resting.)

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 pork chop

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you make the juiciest pork chops with a golden brown crust, plus variations for other cooking options or extra flavor.
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
• Reheat: You can bake these at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, or heat them in a pan again along with the sauce.
• Freeze: These honey garlic pork chops keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months, right in the sauce. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before heating.
• Note on nutrition info: The optional ingredients are not included, and I calculated it using my natural Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey . Sugar content will obviously be higher if you use regular.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)