What Is The Best Cut Of Meat For Grilled Pork Chops
There are four different cuts of pork chops. The most preferable is the center cut rib chop.
Fred Thompsons Top 3 Rules For Grilling Pork Chops
| Rule #1: Go thick, not thin. Dont try to grill thin pork chops. Bread them and fry them, and theyll taste great. But if you put them on the grill, theyll cook too fast and end up tough and flavorless. Buy chops that are at least 3/4 to 1 inch thick. He prefers bone-in chops, like a gracefully-curved rib chop or a husky, center-cut T-bone, which cook more evenly and have more flavor than boneless chops. |
| Rule #2: Brine, brine, brine. Brining pork chops, even for a short time, provides a little wiggle room on doneness. If you are forgetful and cook the chops for a minute or two too long, the brine will help keep the meat moist. And remember to pat the chops dry with paper towels so they sear, rather than steam, on the grill. |
| Rule #3: Watch the heat. Pork doesnt like high heat. Put a chop over a hot fire and youll end up with a tough piece of meat, even if youve brined it. Setting up your grill for indirect grilling is a good way to go. You can put a quick sear on both sides of the chop and then move it to the indirect-heat area for slower cooking. |
Try one of his recipesbrined pork chops with grilled summer stone fruitthat makes the most of all of the above guidelines.
Is Indoor Grilling Safer
You may have read that outdoor grills can produce chemicals that increase your risk of certain cancers. And the smoke from burning coals and dripping fat just add to the danger.
Think about it using an indoor electric grill eliminates the burning coals, the smoke, and the dripping fat that cause those nasty flare-ups.
Recommended Reading: Camp Chef Woodwind Wifi 24 Vs Traeger Pro 575
Recommended Reading: Temperature For Grilled Pork Chops
How Do You Cook Two Inch Pork Chops Over The Grill
If you want to make pork chops on your grill, you should heat the grill to around 400 degrees F. You should start by marinating your chops if you want to, or at least adding seasoning while the grill heats.
Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel or a clean towel before you start adding seasoning, and lightly oil the pork chops. A bit of oil will help the seasoning to stick well and gives the chops a nice, crispy exterior sear.
You can brush the grill with oil if you prefer, but you dont need to do both, and its best to put it directly on the chops. You should then put the chops on the grill and leave them to cook for six minutes. You can season them with sauce if you want to, or just cook them as they are.
Flip them and do the same on the other side, allowing them to cook. Once another six minutes have passed, flip the chops again and give them a further six minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the meat has reached 145 degrees F at its thickest part, and your pork chops should be done! Do not serve them until the meat has reached 145 degrees F.
Tips For The Best Grilled Pork Chops
- Dont Overcook: Nobody likes a tough and dry bite of meat, so make sure you dont leave your pork chops on the grill for too long.
- Let Cool Before Serving: Your pork chops will be very hot when you take them off the grill, so dont try to eat them right away. You should let them cool down for at least 5 minutes. This also helps the flavors intensify!
- For flavor purposes, marinate your pork chops for at least 2 hours before grilling. You can let them soak for up to a day to get the ultimate flavor and juiciness.
Read Also: Weber Kettle Chicken Breast
How Long To Grill Bone
Grill time for bone-in pork chops will vary depending on thickness, so its better to asses by temperature than time. When testing this recipe, I used thick cut pork chops that were about 1 1/2 inches thick, and it took about 15 minutes over the indirect heat for them to reach 120 degrees F, which I then finished with the sear over medium high heat, another 5 minutes total.
An Easy Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
These grilled pork chops are super easy to make. All you have to do is brush them with olive oil, rub with a perfectly awesome seasoning, and smoke them on the grill. Theyre an explosion of flavor and juicy goodness!
You can even make these pork chops up to a day in advance, if youd like. The longer they sit in the marinade, the juicier and tastier theyll get!
Read Also: How To Clean Grease Off Stainless Steel Grill
What Is The White Stuff That Comes Out Of Pork Chops
The white discharge is a combination of water and protein molecules. During cooking, this mixture separates from the meat and begins to coagulate. It doesnt look very pretty, but it also doesnt mean the meat has gone bad. It wont have any effect on the flavor of the pork, either, so theres no need to worry.
Perfect Grilled Pork Chops
Perfect Grilled Pork Chops are actually really easy to make. Choose the right cut, add some seasoning, and grill the best pork chop youve ever had in your life!
Perfect Grilled Pork Chops are actually really easy to make. Choose the right cut, add some seasoning, and grill the best pork chop youve ever had in your life!
These pork chops are magical! They rival any beef steak. Every time I make them people rave that they are the best pork chops theyve ever had in their life. Follow my instructions and you will be the star of every backyard barbecue! People cant get enough of my perfect pork chops.
You May Like: Temperature For Pork Chops On The Grill
What Is The Best Wood For Smoking Pork Chops
Wood pellets are the best choice. They burn far hotter and way slower than standard wood chips, which gives master grillers a lot more control over the temperature of their pork chops. Hardwood pellets also provide you with more smoke consistency without the build-up and they come in a wide range of blends that are ideal for pork chops.
The blend you go for really depends on what youre looking for in a grilled pork chop. Traeger maple wood pellets are amazing at bringing out the natural flavor in your pork while adding a mild, seasonal sweetness. Apple pellets are always a dependable choice if youre on the hunt for that light, slightly fruity flavor a lot of your guests naturally associate with grilled pork chops.
If you want to play around a bit, our all-natural pecan hardwood pellets give pork chops a trace of nuttiness, while our signature blend of hickory, maple, and cherry hardwood adds a full-bodied kick of flavor.
Delicious And Easy Pork Chops On A Traeger Grill
Pork chops are one of the staples of American cuisine. They are as standard for family dinners as fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. Many people find themselves frying pork chops in a skillet, but they truly shine when braised with a specialty sauce or dressed with a savory rub on the grill.
Do you want to know an easy way to create delicious grilled pork chops? Does the idea of cooking these potentially delectable little steaks secretly fill you with trepidation? You are not alone as pork can be temperamental to cook, often becoming dry and tough. A Traeger Grill could be your answer. All you need for delicious and easy pork chops on a Traeger grill are a few simple steps and a no-fail recipe.
- 4 to 8 thick-cut pork chops
- Your favorite Barbecue Rub
- Instant-read Meat Thermometer
You May Like: Steaks On A Traeger Grill
How Can You Tell If Pork Chops Are Done Without A Thermometer
How To Tell If Pork Is Done Without a Thermometer
How To Cook Pork Chops On The Oven
How long do I put pork chops in the oven for?
Bake pork chops in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes for 1-inch thick boneless pork chops. The pork chops are done when the internal temperature measures 145° F on an instant read thermometer. (Thinner pork chops will cook faster, bone-in pork chops will take longer to cook.
What temperature should pork chops be cooked at in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, so the oven is hot before you slide in the chops. Let the baked chops rest. Pork is done when an internal thermometer reads 145 degrees F. The moment they are cooked, transfer them to a clean plate and loosely cover with foil.
How long does it take for pork chops to bake at 350?
They required about 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Bone-In pork chops require about 10% MORE cooking time, so make sure you factor that into your planning if you bought pork chops with bones. Thinner pork chops will take approximately 25-35 minutes, while VERY thin *under 1/4 inch* will be even less.
Do you cover pork chops in the oven?
Bake pork chops uncovered first at 350°F. Once theyre done , remove and cover with foil. Let stand 3 minutes before serving.
Also Check: How Long Do You Grill Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
How To: Pork Chops
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
If youve ever wondered how to season, prep, brine and grill a perfectly tender pork chop, youve come to the right place. Master these seven simple steps and youll be able to fire up the best chops on the block, with Kingsford® Charcoal.
Dont Miss: What Is The Best Indoor Smokeless Electric Grill
Pan Fried Pork Chops Recipe
Serves 2
- 1 tsp oil
- 2 pork chops
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Bbq Grease Off Pavers
What Temperature Pork Should Be Cooked To Eat Safely
For years, cooks have been told to cook pork until well done, resulting in a dried out piece of meat nobody wants to eat. No more!
According to recent changes in the USDA guidelines, it is safe to eat pork cooked medium rare. Cook the pork chops to an internal temperature of 140°F and still barely pink inside, then rest for about 5 minutes for the residual heat will continue to cook and raise the internal temperature.
For thin cut, bone-in pork chops about 1/4 inch thick, cook over direct medium-high to high heat for a total of 3-5 minutes, with the lid closed, turning once.
For 1-inch thick boneless pork chops, cook for 8-12 minutes over direct heat turning every 3-4 minutes or until well grill marked with the lid closed. Add another 5 minutes resting time for the juices to set in the meat.
If cooked properly, the pork chops will release a bit of juice as they rest, a sign theyre still nice and juicy on the inside.
The First Step: Brining
A brine is a salt water solution that penetrates meat it adds extra liquid resulting in juicier meat. Brining make the difference between a dry and flavorless chop and a juicy, tasty pork chop
What you need for the brine:
The general rule for brine is 1 tablespoon of salt and sugar per 1 cup of water. The sugar offsets the salt, preventing the pork from tasting too salty.
Combine the brine ingredients in a large container and stir until mixed. Add pork chops and cover. Refrigerate for two hours. Feel free to add any herbs or spices to the brine this will lightly enhance the brine but wont overpower the natural flavor of the protein. After two hours, remove the pork chops from the brine and rinse thoroughly to remove any extra salt from the surface. Pat the pork dry with paper towels.
Don’t Miss: How Long Do You Cook Pork Tenderloin On The Grill
How Should I Season My Pork Chops
After the pork chops are brined, theres no need to rinse them off with water simply dry them very well with paper towels. You can sprinkle on some black pepper at this point, or go with your favorite spice or spice rub. Just use a spice rub that doesnt contain salt, as youve already seasoned the chops.
How To Fry Pork Chops
Here’s how to cook pork chops on the stove. Before frying pork chops, first salt and pepper them on both sides. You can be very generous with the seasonings.
Meanwhile, heat a little vegetable oil, maybe 2 tablespoons, or a little butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. The fat should be sizzling hot when you add the chops to the pan. Avoid crowding. Giving the chops some room means they’ll brown before they overcook.
When one side is beautifully golden brown , turn, and then knock the flames down to medium so the middle can completely cook before the outside is overdone. As with grilled chops, when the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F, transfer the pork chops from the pan to a plate they’ll continue to cook just make sure they reach 145 degrees F.
Also Check: Do You Keep The Bottom Vents Open When Grilling
How To Keep Pork Chops From Drying Out
My fondest childhood memories are eating over at my grandmothers house. That sweet, southern woman could cook the perfect fried chicken, but give her a pork chop and she would serve up a tough leathery hockey puck. Its the reason weve all shied away from cooking pork chops for so long! Am I right? But fear not. There are tried and true ways to ensure those chops are tender and juicy.
- Buy bone-in pork chops, ideally the center-cut rib chop, which is the most tender.
- Thick pork chops are key. Anything less that ¾ in thickness will inevitably end up cooking too quickly and drying out.
- If you do end up with a different cut or a boneless pork chop, soaking them in a salt water brine for a minimum of 30 minutes tenderizes the meat throughout the chop.
- Bringing the meat to room temperature helps the meat cook more evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure your pork chops reach exactly 145 degrees, and remove them from the grill immediately.
- Make sure your pork chops get their moment of rest . The fibers of the meat relax as it is resting, and this gives the pork chops the juicy tenderness we all aspire to.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilling Pork Chops
How long do you cook pork chops on the grill?
This depends on the thickness, but a good rule of thumb for a 1 thick pork chop is to sear on high/direct heat for 1-2 minutes, move to medium/indirect heat and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side. The best way to ensure you have cooked your pork chops for the right amount of time is to use a meat thermometer. Insert into the thickest part of the meat and remove from grill after it reaches 145 degrees.
What temperature do you cook pork chops on the grill?
Pork does not like very high heat. That will cause it to cook too quickly and become tough. A medium-high temperature of 375-400 degrees is perfect for grilling pork chops.
Is it safe to eat pork chops if they are pink inside?
According to the USDA, pork cooked to 145 degrees is safe to eat. At this temperature, the meat may still look a little pink but is safe to eat.
Should I keep the lid on when grilling pork chops?
Yes, keeping the lid on gives you more consistent heat.
Can I use the same recipe for a baked pork chop or a pork tenderloin?
Yes! Our pork chop marinade can also be used for baked pork chops or a pork tenderloin. And if youre short on time or have surprise guests, just keep your favorite bbq sauce stocked in the pantry for barbeque pork chops!
You May Like: Grilling Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast
