Easy BBQ Glaze Recipe: 15-Minute Glazed Pork Chops

Some nights you want big barbecue flavor without the big time commitment, and that's exactly where this easy BBQ glaze recipe comes in. Thin-cut pork chops go from fridge to plate in about 15 minutes, thanks to a fast skillet sear finished with a spoonable glaze that caramelizes almost instantly. It's the kind of weeknight dinner that tastes like a cookout even when you barely had time to turn on the stove.

Why This Easy BBQ Glaze Recipe Is So Fast

The trick to any easy BBQ glaze recipe is starting with a base that's already balanced — sweet, a little tangy, with just enough heat to keep things interesting. Pepper jelly-style spreads do all that work for you, so instead of simmering a sauce from scratch, you're just warming and thinning it slightly before it goes straight onto the chops. Thin-cut chops cook in minutes, which means the whole meal, glaze included, comes together before your sides are even done.

What You'll Need

• 4 thin-cut boneless pork chops (about ½ inch thick)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil for the skillet
• ⅓ cup Jalapeño Apple Spread
• 1 tablespoon water or apple juice, to thin the glaze

Step-by-Step: This Easy BBQ Glaze Recipe in 15 Minutes

1. Season the chops. Pat the pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Thin cuts don't need a long marinade — seasoning right before cooking is enough.
2. Heat the skillet or grill. Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat with the oil, or preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high.
3. Warm the glaze. In a small saucepan, warm the Jalapeño Apple Spread with the water or apple juice over low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring until pourable.
4. Sear the chops. Cook the chops for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they're just about cooked through and lightly browned.
5. Glaze and caramelize. Brush the glaze generously over both sides and let it cook for another 30 to 60 seconds per side, just until it turns glossy and starts to caramelize at the edges.
6. Rest and serve. Pull the chops off the heat, let them rest 2 minutes, then spoon any extra glaze over the top before serving.

Tips to Make This Easy BBQ Glaze Recipe Even Better

Keep an eye on the glaze once it hits the heat — because it's sugar-based, it can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt in under a minute, so stay close and use tongs to flip quickly. If you're cooking indoors, crack a window or turn on the vent, since a hot skillet glaze can smoke a bit right at the end. This easy BBQ glaze recipe also works beautifully on chicken thighs or shrimp skewers if you want to switch up the protein without changing the method.

Want to keep this easy BBQ glaze recipe in weekly rotation? Grab a jar of Jalapeño Apple Spread and explore more flavors at Smoky Mountain Spread.