Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (2024)

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Grilled Pork Chopsare tender and moist marinated pork chops grilled to golden perfection. Learn how to grill pork chops for a fast and perfect meal ready in under 30 minutes.

These BBQ pork chops are great with a side of Corn on the Cob or Mango salad for any weeknight dinner or backyard party.

Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (1)

You can make these pork chops on a gas, charcoal or pellet grill. If the weather doesn’t cooperate or you run out of propane, just throw them into the oven on a baking sheet or you can even use a grill pan on the stove.

Table of Contents

HOW TO GRILL PORK CHOPS

GRILLED PORK MARINADE

BONE-IN V.S. BONELESS PORK CHOPS

HOW LONG TO GRILL PORK CHOPS

Grilled BBQ Pork Chops

HOW TO GRILL PORK CHOPS

Grilling pork chops over a medium-high indirect heat helps to seal the juices in, producing tender and juicy pork chops, while the high heat gives a nice sear adding the char from the barbecue. So the best technique is to combine the two with an initial high-temperature sear of 2-3 minutes per side, followed by indirect heat for the remaining time.

Pork chops can dry out easily if overcooked. I’ve found the best way to make juicy and flavorful grilled pork steak is to marinate them first. Even a 30-minute marinate will make a huge difference.

Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (2)

GRILLED PORK MARINADE

This easy pork chop marinade calls for only a few simple ingredients:

  • Soy Sauce (reduced sodium recommended): It keeps your pork chops juicy while adding extra flavors.
  • Brown Sugar: Helps with the caramelization process and brings out the natural flavor of pork chops.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: It helps break down tougher proteins and tenderize the meat (You can substitute with lemon juice)
  • Mustard (Dijon or mustard powder recommended)
  • Ketchup
  • Olive oil

It’s best to let the pork chops marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight. If you are short of time, even 30-60 minutes of marinating time make a remarkable difference, so don’t skip this process.

BONE-IN V.S. BONELESS PORK CHOPS

Thick bone-in pork chops work best for this recipe, as they’re the most tender and delicious pork chops for grilling. Try to buy the ones that are at least 1-1.5 inches thick. Below is a photo with two common cuts of bone-in pork chops with and without the bone exposed.

Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (3)

HOW LONG TO GRILL PORK CHOPS

Pork chop grill time depends on how hot your grill gets, the thickness of your pork chops and whether you use bone-in or boneless pork chops. You can find the pork chop grill time chart in the recipe instructions.

Once your pork chops are marinated, drain pork and place them on the grill. Cook them for 2-3 minutes with high heat on one side depending on the thickness and type of your pork. Don’t lift during the cooking process so that you won’t lose the beautiful grill marks.

Flip your pork chops and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side. Finish on the indirect heat until an instant-read thermometer reads 145°F (63°C).

There are several ways to achieve indirect heat depending on your grilling setup:

  • Place the chops on the grill’s warming rack, if you have one, or
  • Turn one zone on low or off on a propane grill to create a cooler zone, or
  • Stack fewer briquettes on one side of a charcoal grill to create a cooler area

Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (4)

Simply move the pork chops to that area for the indirect cooking time. Bear in mind that the total cooking time will vary significantly depending on pork chop thickness.

I recommend using an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chops before the total time has passed. According to the FDA,you can remove from heat once it reads 145°F / 63°C.

Make sure to let the grilled pork chops rest for about 5 minutes before cutting to allow the juices to retreat back into the meat for maximum flavor. You can safely store cooked pork for 3-4 days in the fridge according tofoodsafety.gov. Just reheat for 5-7 minutes over medium heat. While they may be slightly less tender, the flavor improves during rest.

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Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (5)

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Grilled BBQ Pork Chops

Grilled BBQ pork chops are the perfect meal and so easy to make. The pork marinade adds amazing flavor and makes the chops tender and juicy.

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 pork chops, bone-in, thick-cut
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce, reduced sodium recommended
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder, or dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, optional

Instructions

  • In a deep bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, mustard and olive oil.

  • Add the pork chops to the bowl and turn to coat completely. Optional: cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

  • Preheat an outdoor grill to high heat or about 450°F.

  • Remove the chops from the marinade and place on the grill. Discard the remaining marinade.

  • Place the marinated pork chop on the grill. Cover the lid and cook for 2-3 minutes, flip and cook another 2-3 minutes.

  • Move the chops to indirect heat to cook for 8-15 minutes longer (see note).

  • Remove the chops to a plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes, covered lightly with foil. (This allows the juices to retreat back into the meat.) Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Season the chops:Marinating or brining the chops ahead of time will produce the juiciest chops. Marinate them in a ziplock bag or airtight container in the fridge. The chops will be more flavorful and tender from the marinating.
  • Cooking time depends on thickness, and I recommend using an instant-read meat thermometer to check doneness. Once the internal temperature reaches the145°F / 63°C, remove from heat.
ThicknessBone-in pork chopsBoneless pork chops
¾ inch8-10 min6-8 min
1 inch12-14 min8-10 min
1 ¼ inch16-18 min12-14 min
1 ½ inch18-22 min14-18 min

Nutrition Facts

Grilled BBQ Pork Chops

Amount per Serving

Calories

298

% Daily Value*

Fat

14

g

22

%

Saturated Fat

4

g

20

%

Cholesterol

89

mg

30

%

Sodium

837

mg

35

%

Potassium

619

mg

18

%

Carbohydrates

3

%

Sugar

7

g

8

%

Net Carbs

9

g

18

%

Protein

30

g

60

%

Vitamin A

120

IU

2

%

Vitamin C

1.7

mg

2

%

Calcium

21

mg

2

%

Iron

1.4

mg

8

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please read our nutrition disclaimer.

Author: TipBuzz

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bbq pork chops, grilled pork chops, how to grill pork chops

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below!

WHAT’S THE BEST CUT FOR GRILLED PORK CHOPS?

There are four main cuts of pork chops found in U.S. meat counters, and the rib chop is the best cut for grilled pork chops:

  1. Rib Chop:The bone-in pork rib chop is the best cut due to its marbling, which produces a juicy grilled orbaked pork chop.
  2. Boneless Chop:The boneless chop is the most common pork chop in the USA, and the least expensive. As it’s very lean with no bones, and best suited for baking or frying.
  3. T-bone Chop:The t-bone chop, or loin chop, has loin meat on one side and tenderloin meat on the other. While delicious, a loin chop can be challenging to cook evenly.
  4. Sirloin Chop:The sirloin chop is a lean chop from below the loin, and is available either a bone-in or boneless. Sirloin chops are best suited to slow cooking or braising.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

  • Swineapple (Pork Tenderloin Stuffed Pineapple)
  • Bacon Wrapped Chicken
  • Grilled Garlic Steak Kebabs

© TIPBUZZ. Images and text on this website are copyright protected. Please do not post or republish without permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post.This post may contain affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.

posted April 10, 2019

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8 comments on “Perfect Grilled Pork Chops”

  1. Linda andersAugust 5, 2021 @ 12:08 am Reply

    Can I use this marinade for steaks,?

    • TipBuzzOctober 20, 2023 @ 11:55 am Reply

      Hi Linda, Thanks and yes you absolutely can. Enjoy!

  2. Everett FosterMay 23, 2020 @ 9:31 pm Reply

    Adjusted the recipe a bit to do 7 pork loin chops. Let them marinate 8 hours.
    BEST CHOPS WE HAVE HAD HANDS DOWN !!!
    ThanksPerfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (6)

    • TipBuzzSeptember 30, 2020 @ 12:27 pm Reply

      Hi Everett, So great to hear that! Thanks for your comment and glad you enjoyed.

  3. DaveJuly 31, 2019 @ 8:54 pm Reply

    Unfortunately I only had a chance to marinate for 45 minutes. Next time ( and I will make it again) I will marinate overnight. Leaving overnight should intensify the flavour in the meat. A short marinade time resulted with the flavour only on the surface face.Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (7)

    • TipBuzzAugust 1, 2019 @ 10:52 am Reply

      Hi Dave, Thanks for your feedback. Did you use thick pork chops? The thicker they are, the longer it takes for the marinade to penetrate. Glad you enjoyed!

  4. BobbiJune 9, 2019 @ 5:44 pm Reply

    Marinating my pork chops now, can’t wait to try this Marinade !!!!Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (8)

    • TipBuzzJune 10, 2019 @ 2:25 am Reply

      Hi Bobbi, Awesome – thanks for your review and tell me how it goes! 🙂

Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz (2024)

FAQs

Perfect Grilled Pork Chops Recipe - TipBuzz? ›

Place the marinated pork chop on the grill. Cover the lid and cook for 2-3 minutes, flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. Move the chops to indirect heat to cook for 8-15 minutes longer (see note). Remove the chops to a plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes, covered lightly with foil.

What is the secret to grilling pork chops? ›

Tip! For the most tender pork chops, marinate the pork (or let them sit with the rub) for at least 1 hour, or overnight. Let the Meat Come to Room Temperature Prior to Grilling. If you throw the meat on the grill cold, by the time the inside comes to temperature, the outside will be overcooked.

What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

Fat is key to keeping pork chops moist

Basting them with fat, such as butter. Add in aromatics while basting for more flavor — similar to how you might cook a steak — and then you have the added bonus of browned butter and crispy garlic and/or herbs to serve with the meat.

How do you make pork chops not tough on the grill? ›

Tender Grilled Pork Chops

Refrigerate and marinade for at least 3 hours and up to 24 hours. Heat a charcoal, propane, or pellet grill to medium and grill the chops 6-8 minutes per side (depending on how thick they are) until an instant-read thermometer registers between 145 and 155 degrees F.

What seasoning is good on pork chops? ›

Best Seasoning for Pork Chops

Thyme and sage add herby and floral notes complementing pork's flavor exceptionally well. There's also a combination of smoked paprika, pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper, which all give your pork chops a lovely, not overly spicy, kiss of heat.

Should I oil pork chops before grilling? ›

Ingredients for Bone-In Pork Chops on the Grill

We prefer bone-in pork chops because the bone adds flavor and moisture to the finished pork chop. Olive Oil – to keep the chops from sticking, you'll need about 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Sea Salt – we're keeping the seasoning really simple here.

How do you tenderize pork chops before grilling? ›

Last night I followed Kent Rollin's approach to tender pork chops, which was to marinade in lime juice for 4 hours, along with a little bit of Adolph's meat tenderizer. Then place in foil with butter and grill over direct heat 3min on each side.

What tenderizes pork chops? ›

Acid from the balsamic vinegar tenderizes the pork. Salt from the soy sauce flavors the pork. Sweetness from the honey balances out the acid and salt. Worcestershire sauce adds a wonderful layer of unami flavor.

How do you get the most flavor out of pork chops? ›

Like steak or chicken, pork also needs a lot of salt to bring out all the flavor. If you really want to be fancy, you can brine the pork chops in some salt water (season it with other stuff like whole peppercorns and bay leaves). 2. COOK 'EM KINDA LOW AND KINDA SLOW.

How do I make sure my pork chops don't dry out? ›

Try a Marinade or Brine. A marinade or brine can introduce more moisture or lots of flavor into your meat before you cook it. A marinade is a sauce that introduces extra flavor to your pork, depending on the aromatics or herbs you choose to include. A brine pulls more moisture into the meat, which keeps your pork juicy ...

Should I cook pork chops in butter or oil? ›

I use both! At the same time! The butter helps achieve that golden brown color and adds more flavor, but you need the oil, too, because it has a higher smoke point and keeps the butter from burning. How long do you cook pork chops in a frying pan?

What adds flavor to the pork? ›

Some of my favorite herbs, spices, and seasonings to use as a pork chop seasoning are cumin, garlic, paprika, and chili powder. Some others that go well with pork are sage, rosemary, cayenne, thyme, and coriander. Brown sugar and clove are a great way to add in some sweetness.

What is the best sauce for pork chops? ›

15 Sauces For Pork To Instantly Upgrade Suppertime
  • 01 of 15. Blackberry-Honey Mustard Sauce. ...
  • 02 of 15. Alabama White Sauce. ...
  • 03 of 15. Mustard Sauce. ...
  • 04 of 15. Mustard-Cream Sauce. ...
  • 05 of 15. Spinach Pesto. ...
  • 06 of 15. Eastern North Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce. ...
  • 07 of 15. Gingered Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • 08 of 15. Pork Tenderloin Dijon Pan Sauce.
Mar 22, 2024

What should I put on pork chops before cooking? ›

Garlic rub—Slice a large clove of garlic in half. Rub the chops' surface with the garlic's cut side before seasoning with salt and pepper.

How do you cook pork chops without drying them out? ›

For juicy, flavorful pork chops, try brining the chops before grilling or broiling — two high-heat cooking methods that can quickly dry out lean pork chops. Brines are essentially salty, sugary water solutions; they'll keep the meat moist, while adding flavor.

Do you grill pork chops on high or low heat? ›

Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375-400 degrees) 20 minutes prior to grilling. Place pork chops on grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Move pork chops to indirect heat (or lower temp to medium) and cook for 8-12 more minutes, flipping once, or until pork chops reach 145 degrees F.

What is the best method to cook pork chops? ›

A quick turn in a hot pan followed by a little time in the oven is another great way to cook pork chops. You build color and flavor in the skillet, then hand the cooking over to the oven, which gives you time to prep the rest of the meal.

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