Easy pineapple pork chops combine juicy and tender pork chops with the sweet and sour flavors of pineapple, onion and garlic, and just a touch of honey for added sweetness. This quick pork skillet is the perfect quick weeknight meal.
Pork chops are always a hit with my family, juicy and tender pieces of meat, bound together with a tangy sweet and sour sauce that everyone enjoys.
My kids love these Easy Pineapple Pork Chops because of the sweet pineapple that is paired with the pork. I just love easy pork chop recipes on busy weeknights.
This recipe only takes 5 minutes to prepare and 10 to 15 minutes actual cooking time.
If you are looking for quick and easy meal ideas this one is one to make!
This is the kind of easy pork skillet recipe that I like to cook when I have family and friends over for dinner.
It tastes great and can be easily doubled up depending on numbers, but requires little cooking time once my guests arrive.
In my house we rotate between these Easy Pineapple Pork Chops, Pan Seared Pork Chops, BBQ Baked Pork Chops, Maple Bourbon Pork Chops, Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops or these Hawaiian Grilled Pork Chops.
Table of Contents
What Ingredients do I Need to Make Pineapple Pork Chops?
- Pork: I use 4 medium sized boneless pork chops, however you can use bone-in chops in this recipe too.
- Oil: I always use olive oil for flavor, but you can substitute with any other light flavored oil.
- Butter: I also add a teaspoon of butter when cooking the chops, it adds great flavor to the finished sauce. I like to use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in the recipe but any butter is fine.
- Garlic: I always use fresh garlic which has the best flavor, but you can use garlic paste too.
- Onion: I suggest using a white or yellow onion for a real hit of onion flavor, but you could use red onion too which is a little milder or even some shallots.
- Pineapple: I use fresh pineapple, cut into cubes in this dish. However, you could also used canned pineapple as a quick substitute.
- Honey: I use honey to sweeten the sauce, maple syrup would be a good substitution as it’s an unrefined sugar too.
- Seasoning: Always use plenty of salt and black pepper when seasoning the chops, it will make all the difference to the finished dish.
- Garnish: I like to garnish the pineapple pork chops with some freshly chopped cilantro, flat leaf parsley would also work.
How to Make Easy Pineapple Pork Chops in a Skillet
Step 1: Cook the Chops: Start by seasoning the pork chops well with salt and pepper. Next heat a large skillet with oil on medium-high heat.
Step 2. Sear Pork: Place the pork chops into the hot large skillet and cook on one side for 4-5 minutes until golden.
Then push the pork chop to one side of the skillet to make space and flip the pork chops to cook the other side.
Step 3: Add the Pineapple: Make the sweet and sour sauce, by adding the butter, garlic, onion and pineapple chunks into the empty space in the skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring regularly until combined.
Step 4. Finish the Dish: Finally decrease the heat to medium and add in the honey. Stir through the pineapple sauce and remove from the heat and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Make sure not to overcook the pork chops so you have juicy pork chops!
Step 5. Serve the Pineapple Pork: Serve the pork and pineapple sauce with a side of white rice and garnish with some freshly chopped cilantro. You also could serve this with pineapple slices on the side.
Ways to Modify These Hawaiian Pork Chops
- Sauce: The sauce is delicious as is but you can modify it by adding a few particular flavors. Soy sauce works great in this sauce. It adds nice, salty flavor against the pineapple. You can use 2-3 tablespoons. I suggest using low-sodium soy sauce because it helps control the salt. Another nice option is to add brown sugar alongside the honey for sweetness. If you like a slightly spicy sweet sauce add sriracha or chili garlic sauce like Huy Fong. Lastly, I also will sometimes add pineapple juice if I have it on hand. You could do 2-3 tablespoons or more if you like a thinner sauce.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs always take dishes to the next level. I love adding fresh cilantro, fresh parsley or fresh oregano to this dish.
- Spices: If you want to add extra flavor to this dish try adding cayenne red pepper, crushed red pepper, oregano or Italian seasoning.
- Other Ingredients: You can add grated ginger and minced garlic to enhance the flavor profile. Add a burst of citrus flavor by incorporating orange or lime zest and juice into the marinade. The acidity will help tenderize the meat and brighten up the dish.
Recipe Hints & Tips:
- Temperature of Pork: Pork chops dry out and become tough when overcooked. Only cook the chops until they reach in internal temperature of 145F, this way you avoid chewy pork. Always rest the chops for 5 minutes after removing from the heat. This will allow the cooking juices to go back into the meat, resulting in tender, moist pork.
- Cut of Pork: I have used pork chops in this recipe, but you can swap the pork chops for pork tenderloin (pork filet) too. Don’t limit yourself to pork, as this recipe would work equally well with chicken thighs and chicken breast too.
- Vegetables: Add in extra veggies to the sauce, bell peppers, broccoli and carrot would all work in this dish.
Recipe FAQ
I often hear this question from people. The answer is yes!
The internal temperature should be 145 degrees F in the deepest part using an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer for pork chops and they will be slightly pink which means they are juicy and perfectly safe to eat. If you overcook them to the point where there is no pink and the pork is slightly grey it will be tough and dry.
Heat a skillet with a bit of oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. This adds flavor and locks in moisture.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Pork chops are done when they reach 145°F (63°C). Let them rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
What to Serve with Pineapple Pork Chops?
- Some steamed rice always works with pork chops or try my Cilantro Lime Rice. For something with a little more spicy try my Spicy Lebanese Potatoes or Paprika Roasted Potatoes.
- Salads are always a nice pairing to pork chops. I love this Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts, Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad, Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing or this Everyday Italian Salad.
- Vegetable side dishes are another nice pairing. Some of my favorites are Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables, Turmeric Cauliflower or this Simple Roasted Broccoli.
Storage Tips
- Storage: Once cooked, allow the pork to cool down. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To freeze: Allow the pork chops to cool down and place in an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, remove from the freezer and defrost in the refrigerator. Then once defrosted return to the pan and heat gently over a medium heat, until the chops have warmed through and the sauce is hot.
Other Pork Recipes to Try:
- AIR FRYER PORK TENDERLOIN
- SLOW COOKER HAWAIIAN PORK RIBS
- CAST IRON PORK TENDERLOIN
- HOW TO BAKE PORK CHOPS IN THE OVEN
- AIR FRYER PORK TAQUITOS
- HOW TO MAKE PORK TENDERLOIN IN THE SLOW COOKER
- EASY PORK ENCHILADAS
- EASY PORK TACOS
Easy Pineapple Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops, boneless (medium size)
- Sea salt, to season
- Ground black pepper, to season
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon butter, unsalted
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 1 small white onion, peeled and sliced
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple, cut in cubes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Fresh cilantro and green onions for garnish
- Serve with rice or quinoa
Instructions
- Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Next heat a large skillet with oil on medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and saute for 2 minutes.
- Place the pork chops into the hot large skillet along with the onions and cook on one side for 4-5 minutes until golden.
- Then push the pork chop to one side of the skillet to make space and flip the pork chops to cook the other side.
- Make the sweet and sour sauce, by adding the butter, and pineapple chunks into the empty space in the skillet.
- Stir the sauce over the pork chops and coat the pork chops with the sauce.
- Cook the pork chops in the sauce for about 3-5 minutes until the pork chops reach an internal temp of 145 degrees F.
- Finally decrease the heat to medium and add in the honey. Stir through the pineapple sauce and remove from the heat and set aside to rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve the pork and pineapple sauce with a side of white rice and garnish with some freshly chopped cilantro. You also could serve this with pineapple slices on the side or add extra pineapple chunks as a garnish to your pork chops.
Notes
- How to store leftovers: Allow to cool down. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
How to freeze: Allow to cool down and place in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Thank you for the recipe
See this is what it’s all about in my kitchen when we’re biting for a good feed, simple recipe, no mucking about & damn tasty & served up fast. Took note of your hints & added some p’apple juice, (no fresh available here in the sticks, had pantry canned p’apple & wanted extra sauce to soak up the rice, so why not, also as you said could use some soy & maple syrup, we did, thank you for taking the time to post , appreciated (AuntieEt)
I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
Do you use thick cut pork chops or just regular?
I used a medium sized pork chop that wasn’t super thin but wasn’t the thickest one you can buy. You honestly can use either but if you do a thick pork chop you might need to cook it a little longer. The internal temp should be 145 degrees F. Enjoy!
I feel like the pineapple, onion, and garlic needs to go in before the pork chops so they’re cooking in all the yummy flavors. I made it the way the recipe says and the chops barely have any flavor and onions aren’t cooked at all – 3 mins doesn’t feel like enough time!
Thanks for the feedback! I remade them last night and adjusted some things- I agree with you the onions could cook longer and I changed it so that the sauce cooks with the pork chops longer. I think those are great changes and make a lot of sense. Thanks for the feedback and input.
Made this receipe tonight and it was so easy and delicious. Thank you!
So glad you liked it!
I love this recipe. I had some fresh pineapple and smoked pork chops. The only thing I added was a pinch of cumin and it was a recipe we will repeat! Thank you
Love that! Thanks for sharing and I am glad you liked it.