This easy weeknight dinner will get dinner on the table in a hurry with easy grilled pork chops made with a homemade Italian marinade. This marinade for pork chops keeps the meat juicy and flavorful! It will quickly become your go-to marinade for grilled meats and veggies.
Summer nights call for easy recipes and this quick marinade for pork chops on the grill will make dinner a breeze.
Once I learned to grill the right way, the grill quickly became my go-to cooking method in the summertime.
This easy recipe for grilled pork chops is perfect for summer and it starts with making an Italian marinade.
Essential grilling tools
These are the things I always use whenever I grill:
- No-stick spray: I recommend picking up some grill spray to spray on your grates. It keeps food from sticking and it makes the grates easier to clean.
- A meat thermometer: I use this simple handheld meat thermometer, but I've been eyeing the wireless, Bluetooth thermometers.
- A grill brush: Next, a good-quality grill brush will help you clean off any burnt-on residue without scratching the grates.
- Kitchen shears: Kitchen scissors are handy for snipping off fatty parts of your pork chops.
- Utensils: A great pair of tongs and a turner will go a long way in helping you flip anything you cook, from burgers to chicken wings to corn on the cob.
Ingredients
To make this marinade you'll need:
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- basil
- dried oregano
- dried thyme
- garlic
- red pepper flakes
- lemon juice
This flavor combination makes this Italian marinade zesty and delicious!
Homemade Italian Marinade for Pork Chops
Putting together this Italian marinade for pork chops is so very easy. You'll be shocked at how simple it is!
First, pour the marinade ingredients into a mason jar and cover with a lid.
Shake vigorously to emulsify the dressing. This is to force the oil and vinegar to combine and prevent the two from separating while your chops marinate. This will also help the dressing coat the meat completely.
Then pop those pork chops into a ziptop bag and douse them with the marinade.
Marinate 1-2 inch thick pork chops in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
How to Grill Bone-In Pork Chops
Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375°F).
Grill pork chops for 10-15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Remove from grill and let pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes.
Then serve! Try them over risotto or alongside veggies like garlic brown butter green beans.
Tips for success
When the pork chops are ready to be flipped, they will easily release from the grill. If you try to flip them and they are sticking to the grill, they aren't ready to flip yet.
For thinner pork chops or boneless, reduce cook time to 6-10 minutes depending on thickness.
You can double this marinade and use it for grilled veggies as well! Cook grilled veggies in a foil pack or grill safe basket.
What type of pork chops should you use for grilling?
Bone-in pork chops will help lock in moisture so your pork chops stay juicy and tender! I recommend using 1-2 inch thick bone-in pork chops with this marinade for pork chops.
Pork cooks quickly which makes it perfect for a weeknight!
If you prefer your pork medium rare, you should cook it to an internal temperature of 145 degrees (followed by a three-minute rest).
If you like your chops a little more done, you can cook them to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
If you use boneless pork chops, they will take less time to cook, so keep an eye on your meat thermometer.
What to serve with pork chops
Pork chops are a hearty centerpiece for any meal, but you'll still want some sides to go with them!
Try these Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus to serve on the side of these pork chops. You could also serve them on top of this Strawberry Spinach Salad.
I love this Jalapeño Creamed Corn in the summertime, especially with fresh corn from the farmers market.
Easy Broccoli Salad and Pasta Salad Without Mayo is another favorite of mine for cookouts especially.
These Goat Cheese Rosemary Drop Biscuits are easy to make in the oven — you can even make them ahead of time.
Finish your meal off with delicious summer desserts, such as Peach Cobbler, Mini Lemon Cheesecakes or some No Bake Whipped Cream Pies.
More grilling recipes
If you love to grill as much as I do, don't miss these amazing recipes:
This Chili Lime Chicken is my go-to in the summertime.
These Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers and these classic Grilled Turkey Burgers are both on regular rotation in our house in the summer.
These Miracle Whip Burgers are truly delicious if you're craving a hamburger.
Grilled Chicken Thighs are my go-to to enjoy as an entree or to shred and serve on tacos, on salads and in soups.
Easy Grilled Pork Chops with Homemade Italian Marinade
If you need an easy weeknight dinner that will get dinner on the table in a hurry, these easy grilled pork chops are so easy! Plus this homemade Italian marinade will become your go to marinade for grilled meats and veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 6 bone-in pork chops (1 to 2 inches thick)
Instructions
- Combine marinade ingredients in a mason jar.
- Shake vigorously to combine.
- Marinate pork chops in fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes up to overnight.
- Set grill to medium high heat (375?).
- Spray grill with grilling spray. Place pork chops on grill and cook for approximately 10-15 minutes. Grill for 5 minutes first side, 4 minutes second side.
- Internal temperature should be 145 degrees. Remove from grill and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Notes
When the pork chops are ready to be flipped, they will easily release from the grill. If you try to flip them and they are sticking to the grill, they aren't ready to flip yet.
For thinner pork chops or boneless, reduce cook time to 6-10 minutes depending on thickness.
Use this marinade for boneless pork chops, cooking time may vary.
You can double this marinade and use it for grilled veggies as well! Cook grilled veggies in a foil pack or grill safe basket.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 380Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 18mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 7g
Steven says
This marinade looks great! Can't wait to try it.
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!
Duane says
Very good marinade, I will be making this again. Served with pesto spaghetti.
Erin Parker says
I don't know why pork chops are never on my shopping list because they're ALWAYS so freaking delicious. Adding these for next weekend because holy cow, do they look amazing and perfect for the warm weather we've recently been experiencing.
I love that marinade, too! SO good!
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Thanks so much Erin! I hope you guys love them!
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
We're also huge fans of grilling (and not just in the summer - year round. Grilling in the snow is my jam!) and it's such a great quick weeknight dinner. If you're looking to move your pork chops inside, brine them! It is the ticket to juicy, not at all dry chops. But grilling is definitely my favorite method. 😉 I haven't tried them with an Italian marinade yet - thanks for the inspiration!
Madison Wetherill says
Grilling in the snow sounds so fun! That's a great tip about brining the pork chops if you're cooking them inside! I need to try that. This Italian marinade is definitely a favorite!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
I absolutely love the sound of these, Madison! Who doesn't love grilled pork chops? And that homemade Italian marinade just puts 'em over the top. Definitely gonna enjoy these this week!
Madison Wetherill says
The marinade is my fave part, for sure!
David @ Spiced says
That marinade sounds delicious! We love picking fresh veggies from the garden and grilling them up alongside dinner...I'm totally going to try out that marinade with some pork chops next week now. Thanks for sharing! #client
Laura Jean Gilleland says
Yummmm! We don't make pork often either and we don't have a grill, but when we get one I am sure we will give this a try! Also, your veggie medoly looks amazing!