The Grilled pork chops recipe comes out so juicy and tender on the inside and has beautiful charred grill marks on the outside.
In this post, we will teach you everything you need to know about grilled pork chops such as: B. what cut of meat to use, how to season it, and how to grill pork chops perfectly every time.
Learn how to grill pork chops!
Grilled pork doesn’t have to be dry! This super juicy grilled pork chops recipe packs tons of delicious flavor and cooks up perfectly every time on the grill. We will walk you through everything step by step in this How To Grill Pork Chops post.
Why should you grill pork chops?
So juicy: These marinated grilled pork chops really are so juicy and flavorful.
Always perfectly cooked: We show you how to grill pork chops perfectly every time without overcooking or overcooking them!
High protein content: Per serving you get grilled pork chops with 48 g protein.
What is a pork chop?
Pork chops are sliced pork loin chops. They are a lean cut of pork with some marbling of fat that comes pre-portioned. You can buy pork chops either bone-in or boneless. They come in a variety of thicknesses and are available at most grocery stores in the US.
What kind of pork do I need for grilling pork chops?
This grilled pork chops recipe calls for a thicker, bone-in pork chop. We recommend going to your local butcher or the meat counter at your local grocery store and asking for 2 pounds. thick-cut bone-in pork chops.
We used 4 pork chops in this recipe. So each weighed about 1/2 pound.
How to flavor grilled pork chops for grilling
There are two ways you can flavor pork chops for grilling -> Marinades (which we used in this recipe) or Dry Rubs.
marinades: A marinade is like a flavor bath for your pork. It gives the meat delicious flavors and leaves your pork extra juicy. In this recipe, we use our tried-and-true pork chops marinade (more on that below).
Dry rubdowns: Dry Rubs are a great way to add amazing texture and intense flavor to the outside. If you prefer to use a dry rub for this recipe, we recommend our Pork Rub. It’s sweet, savory and a little smoky. It consists of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar and some cinnamon.
PS: If you want particularly tender chops, feel free to use our pork chop brine.
Best Grilled Pork Chop Marinade
We love marinating pork because it really infuses the entire cut of meat with juicy flavor.
Our popular Grilled Pork Chop Marinade recipe is sweet and salty and works wonders to flavor your chops! Here’s what you need:
- Soy Sauce: Add plenty of salt, which is perfect for breaking up the tendons in your pork.
- Brown sugar: Sugar helps balance the saltiness with something sweet.
- Worcestershire Sauce: We love Worcestershire sauce in marinades because it’s hearty and flavorful at the same time.
- Garlic: Feel free to use minced garlic or mince your own garlic cloves.
- lemon juice: a bit of citrus brings all of those flavors together.
All you have to do is combine all of these in one large bowl and you’re ready to marinate your pork!
Other ways to flavor grilled pork chops
brine: A pork chop brine is a super easy way to infuse your chops with salty goodness and make them extra tender.
Spices: Homemade dry rubs are a great way to add bold flavor to pork. Here are some of our favourites:
#1 tip for perfectly marinated pork chops
Permit. Them. Sit.
We recommend letting the pork chops marinate for 12-24 hours. Trust us, the longer they sit the better.
If you’re short on time, make sure you marinate for no less than 2-4 hours.
FAQ
Grill pork chops over medium/high heat over direct heat for 6-8 minutes on each side.
The best way to prevent pork chops from drying out on the grill is to cook them over direct medium-high heat. You’ll want to make sure you cook them quickly so they sear on the outside and stay nice and juicy on the inside.
1 inch pork chops should take about 12-14 minutes at around 400ºF.
How to Grill Pork Chops – Step by Step
- Mix marinade: Combine the grilled pork chops marinade in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Marinate: Place the pork chops in a gallon-sized bag or large bowl and pour the marinade over the pork chops. Squeeze them around, making sure every last bit gets coated. Marinate for 12-24 hours (or at least 2-4) in the refrigerator.
- To grill over direct heat: Grill over direct heat until the internal temperature reaches at least 140ºF (for medium-rare) or 150ºF (for medium-well) for about 6-8 minutes on each side.
- Let rest: Let the pork chops sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the internal temperature to rise another 5 degrees.
- Enjoy!
Note: Check out our grilled pork chops temperature guide below. You will see that we recommend removing the meat from the grill 5ºF less than your preferred doneness. While the pork is resting, continue cooking at about 5ºF.
Internal temperature of the pork chops
The best way to know when your pork chops are done is to measure the internal temperature. Everyone likes to eat their chops a little differently. Some like it well made and some like it medium-rare.
Below are the internal temperatures corresponding to doneness:
- 145-150ºF – half done
- 150-155ºF – Middle
- 155-160ºF – mediocre
- 160+ºF – well done
Remember to always let your pork chops rest for at least 5 minutes after removing them from the heat to allow their temperature to rise another 5ºF.
Try it!
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What type of grill should I use?
Both a charcoal grill and a gas grill are suitable for this recipe. Just make sure you maintain a constant heat of 400ºF or medium-high heat.
Can I use a grill pan instead?
Feel free to cook your pork chops on a griddle over a stove set on medium/high heat. Follow the recipe as directed. Note that your house might be a bit smoky!
What to serve with grilled pork chops
Looking for easy grilled sides to pair with your chops? Check out some of our favorites below!
storage
Our biggest tip when storing grilled pork chops is to let them cool completely before freezing. So let it cool, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
Photography: The photos captured in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.