Grilled Pork Chops
Summertime calls for marinated and grilled pork chops! They're a healthy dinner that impresses and it comes together in less than an hour.
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Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
Let me tell you how great it is to be back at the grill! It was a long winter and I'm so glad the pleasant Arizona spring weather is back in time for grilling month.
So far, we've made some our favorites like grilled turkey burgers and grilled chicken thighs. But I was so ready to make some juicy and flavorful pork chops too, and this recipe makes the BEST pork chops!
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Seriously, once you know how to grill, you can grill anything. In my book, the best dinner is a grilled dinner. Some of my favorite recipes are things that you can throw on the grill. It's just so easy to cook for the whole family and makes the most flavorful meals.
Grilled pork chops make for a delicious dinner. You can have them for a casual weeknight dinner, but they also make a stunning centerpiece for a fancier dinner. If you're having friends over for a dinner party or simply making date night at home, grilled pork chops will steal the show.
Make an easy homemade pork chop marinade, marinate the chops and then fire up the grill. A flavorful dinner is at your fingertips!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Grilled pork chops are wonderful for a number of reasons:
- This easy recipe included instructions to make the most flavorful marinade. We love this marinaded pork tenderloin, and marinating other cuts of meat has become our go-to method.
- Pork pairs well with tons of dishes. Serve up the best grilled pork chops with any and all of your favorite side.
- Chops are affordable cut of meat. They're also really lean which makes them a healthier option. However, you can still load them up with flavor and make juicy pork chops on the grill.
Ingredients
I love this marinade because it is super customizable based on what you have on hand. To make an easy marinade for pork chops, you'll need:
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- dried thyme
- dried rosemary
- dried parsley
- minced garlic
- red pepper flakes
- lemon juice
- salt and black pepper
Substitutions and Variations
For the dried herbs, I use a mix of dried basil, oregano and thyme - about ½ teaspoon of each. You can also use rosemary, cilantro or parsley. Have fun! Feel free to use some fresh herbs too. You could even try this lamb seasoning mixture on these chops!
You can use lemon or lime juice - you need something acidic to flavor the meat.
I use red wine vinegar, but balsamic, white or apple cider vinegar will also work.
Bone-in vs. boneless pork chops
Boneless chops tend to be cheaper, but the extra expense is worth it if you are willing to spring for bone-in.
Bone-in pork chops will help lock in moisture so your pork chops stay juicy and tender. The bone also imparts some flavor as well.
However, you can just as easily make boneless pork chops with this recipe if you like. I recommend choosing bone-in chops that are about 1½-inches thick. Thick-cut pork chops will help avoid an end result of dry pork chops.
Essential grill tools
Truthfully, you don't need more than a good pair of tongs and a grill that works. Whether it's charcoal, pellet or gas is up to you.
However, if you're willing to invest in a few tools, you're setting yourself up for grilling success. Here's what I recommend:
- Non-stick spray: Grill spray is my secret to food that doesn't stick and easier-to-clean grates.
- Meat thermometer: A meat thermometer helps you make sure your meat is well-cooked. I've been eyeing these wireless, Bluetooth thermometers- so cool!
- Grill brush: A good-quality grill brush will help you clean off any burnt-on residue without scratching the grates.
- Kitchen shears: Kitchen scissors are great for snipping off fatty parts of meat.
- Utensils: A sturdy pair of tongs and a turner are necessary to flip anything you cook.
Pork Chop Marinade
When you marinate pork chops, they turn out super juicy. I love this Italian marinade, and it's one of my most popular recipes of all time.
Another one I like is a cilantro and lime marinade for pork chops that I absolutely love. So good for a meal filled with Latin flavors!
This honey garlic marinade for pork chops also sounds truly delicious. If you've never tried honey garlic pork chops, you're missing out!
If you prefer to skip the time it takes to marinade, try a dry rub for your pork chops.
How to Make Grilled Pork Chops
You'll need to prep the marinade first, then marinate then chops for a while before grilling. Follow these instructions and everything should go off without a hitch:
How to marinate pork chops
- First, pour the marinade ingredients into a mason jar and cover with a lid.
- Shake vigorously to force the oil and vinegar to combine. It will also help the marinade to coat the meat completely and not settle while your pork chops marinate. You can also add ingredients to a bowl and whisk well to combine.
- Place the pork chops into a ziptop bag and pour the marinade over top. Close the bag and rotate to cover the pork chops.
- 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
Here's how to grill bone-in pork chops:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, 375°F (190°C). While the grill preheats allow the pork chops to come to room temperature.
- Grill pork chops for 10-15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Remove from grill and let pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes.
If your pork chops are boneless: Simply check the temperature a bit sooner as they won't need as much time on the grill.
What to Serve with Grilled Pork Chops
Try this pork chop recipe with delicious side dishes like shredded cheesy potatoes and garlic brown butter green beans. Make grilled prosciutto wrapped asparagus to serve as an appetizer or as a side dish of these pork chops too.
You could also serve them on top of this strawberry spinach salad or over your favorite risotto.
Finish your meal off with delicious summer desserts, such as peach cobbler, mini lemon cheesecakes or some no bake whipped cream pies. These s'mores brownies are a summer time staple too!
Tips For Success
Check out these simple tips and tricks to make the best grilled pork chops:
- When 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, that means they aren't ready to flip yet. Be patient!
- For thinner pork chops or boneless, reduce the 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.
- Make sure you marinate them for 30 minutes or more. Longer will yield a more flavorful pork chop! Don't marinate for more than 24 hours or the citrus in the marinade will begin to break down the meat.
FAQ
If you prefer your pork medium rare, you should cook it to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), 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°F (71°C).
If you use boneless pork chops, they will take less time to cook, so keep an eye on your meat thermometer.
I recommend cooking with the lid closed so that you can trap the heat and cook the pork chops evenly.
More Grilling Recipes
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Grilled Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon rosemary
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 6 bone-in pork chops 1 to 2 inches thick
Instructions
Make the marinade
- Combine marinade ingredients in a mason jar. Shake vigorously to combine.
- Place pork chops in a zip-top bag and cover with marinade.
- Marinate pork chops in fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes up to 24 hours.
Grill the pork chops.
- Preheat grill to medium high heat (375°F).
- Spray with grilling spray.
- Then place the pork chops on grill and cook for approximately 10-15 minutes. Grill for about 5 minutes first side, and about 4 minutes for second side. Internal temperature should be 145°F degrees.
- Remove from grill and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides!
Notes
Nutrition
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I had been making pork chops without marinade for years and now that I've tried this I'm wondering why! The marinade makes all the difference. I once again love grilled pork chops.
For a family gathering, this is our go-to dish. I used bone-in pork (which we usually prefer). And I made a sweet and tangy marinade this time with honey and soy sauce. It tasted good!
These grilled pork chops are absolutely amazing! They're bursting with flavor, incredibly tender, and simply delicious. When I served them for dinner, they were a resounding hit with everyone at the table. I'm already looking forward to making this recipe again. Thank you for sharing it!
5 star recipe ⭐️ will be making this again and again!
I made this the other night for dinner. My daughter said it was one of the best dinners.
I don't typically marinate pork chops but it gave them such a delicious flavor! The hint of red pepper flakes was genius and hubby is now obsessed.
I prepared these grilled pork chops for dinner recently, and they were a resounding success! The chops turned out incredibly tender and bursting with flavor. What makes this recipe even better is how straightforward and hassle-free it is to follow. I highly recommend giving it a shot!
We sometimes have pork chops for lunch or dinner. But grilling it made it more fantastic! I tried experimenting with the marinade. I used different herbs and seasonings and added grilled veggies! This is great thanks!
I love that you can marinade these for just 30 minutes, so I made them tonight for a quick dinner. They were fantastic and filled with flavor! The vinegar added so much flavor. Thanks!
My dad made these for the family and they were a huge hit! These will definitely be made again this summer!
These pork chops were incredibly tender and juicy! Such a great family dinner.
The grilled pork chops! My husband loves pork, so we made it for his dinner birthday, the whole family enjoyed!
These grilled pork chops are simply amazing! The marinade adds so much flavor and keeps the meat tender and juicy, making for a delicious and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.