Grilled Pork Chops – Spend on a budget

Grilled pork chops make for an easy summer (or anytime) dinner.

A simple lemon and herb marinade makes them tender, juicy and flavorful. Serve them with a simple salad and add some grilled vegetables, then dine outdoors!

cooked grilled pork chops with vegetables on a plate

Perfectly grilled pork chops

  • Pork chops, also known as “the other white meat,” are a healthy appetizer, and they are easy to grill!
  • The marinade adds flavor to the dish as you cook it particularly tender meat.
  • This recipe can be made with with or without bones chops
  • are pork chops affordable and approachable, plus they cook quickly and make for the perfect dinner.

Ingredients & Variations

Pork Chops – Pork chops can be packaged in thicknesses from ½ inch to 1 ½ inch. This recipe is suitable for bone-in pork chops (which we prefer) or boneless pork chops. The cooking times in the recipe below are for ¾ inch chops.

Marinade – Lemon juice adds a bright flavor and helps tenderize the meat as it marinates. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness and helps caramelize, while the savory herbs balance the flavor of the marinade.

Sirloin Chops, Seasonings, Lemon, Garlic, Oil, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Mustard to Prepare Grilled Pork Chops with Labels

How to grill pork chops

Grill marinated pork chops over medium-high heat until internal temperature reaches 145°F at thickest point. Use this handy guide to grilling bone-in or boneless pork chops on a medium-high gas grill:

  • Cook 1/2 inch chops 4 minutes per side
  • Cook 3/4″ chops 5-6 minutes per side
  • Cook 1-inch chops 7-9 minutes per side

For really thick chops with a “fat cap” (a thicker band of fat along one edge), cut the fat diagonally across the fat every ¼ inch. This will prevent the meat from curling up as it cooks.

Keep the fat as it makes for great flavor!

Tips & Tricks for Pork Chops

  • For best results, marinate the pork chops for at least 2 hours to flavor and tenderize the meat.
  • Always start with a preheated grill so the meat sears on the outside and all of the gravy is sealed in right away! A thin brush of oil over the grill grate will prevent sticking.
  • Avoid pressing the meat with a spatula, as this will force out the meat juices and make the chops tough.
  • Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat to check doneness. Pork should be around 145°F, and remember that it will continue to cook while it rests.

For the juiciest pork chops…

Pork is lean, so it’s important to be careful not to overcook it. Pork can be slightly pink inside.

Pork is best cooked at 145°F, but we take it off the grill a few degrees earlier as the temperature rises while it’s resting. Be sure to let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Sheet pan full of grilled pork chops and cooked vegetables

leftovers?

Leftover pork chops can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat them in the microwave or air fryer until warmed through. Freeze plastic-wrapped portions, then place in a zip-lock bag. Freeze up to 4 weeks.

Perfect accompaniment to pork chops

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plated grilled pork chops

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Grilled pork chops

A simple marinade makes these grilled pork chops wonderfully tender and juicy!

preparation time 20 protocol

cooking time 20 protocol

Time to marinate 2 hours

total time 2 hours 40 protocol

Instant read thermometer on white background
  • Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl or large freezer bag. Add pork chops and marinate for at least 2 hours.

  • Preheat grill to medium-high.

  • Remove the pork from the marinade and drain excess meat.

  • Grill the pork for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the temperature reaches 145°F with an instant-read thermometer. Don’t overcook.

  • Let the pork chops rest on a plate for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Bone-in or bone-in chops can be used in this recipe, we prefer the flavor of bone-in pork chops.
Optional: Add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the marinade
This recipe is for pork chops 3/4 inch thick. Thicker chops will take longer to cook, while thinner chops will cook faster. For best results, use an instant-read thermometer.
Without pressing or turning, let the chops cook on one side until nicely colored. They should easily detach from the grill. If they stick, let them sit a little longer.
The chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part. Remove them from the grill a few degrees early (about 140-142°F) as the temperature will continue to rise while they rest. Pork can be slightly pink inside.

  • Cook 1/2-inch chops 4 minutes per side
  • Sear 3/4 inch chops 5-6 minutes per side
  • Sear 1 inch chops for 7-9 minutes on each side

Calories: 223 | Carbohydrates: 1G | Protein: 20G | Fat: 15G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 3G | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 352mg | Fiber: 1G | Sugar: 1G | Vitamin C: 4.8mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on cooking method and brand of ingredients used.

course Dinner, main course, pork
Kitchen American
Grilled pork chops on a plate with a title
Coated grilled pork chops with lettering
Close up of grilled pork chops with lettering
plated grilled pork chops with a title



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