How To Prepare Pork Chops
Just like when preparing steaks for the grill, pork chops are easy to prepare. There are two ways I recommend preparing your pork chops for the grill. The first way is with a dry rub or seasoning. This BBQ Rub is excellent and pairs perfectly with pork adding a delicious, smokey flavor. After coating one side of the pork chop, gently press the seasoning into the pork with your fingers or palm, dont rub it in. Rubbing seasonings into any cut of meat tends to make for an uneven coating, making each bite inconsistent in flavor.
The other way is by marinading. Marinading is a great method for cheaper, thinner cuts of meats which pork chops tend to be. Try this All-Purpose Marinade when your looking for added flavor and tenderness. To do this, first place the pork chops in a Ziploc bag and pour the marinade over them. Next, let as much air out of the bag as possible to allow the marinade to coat the pork evenly. Finally, allow them to marinate between 30 minutes and 3 hours.
Tips For Grilling Pork Chops
Grilling pork chops is a two-step process:
Follow these tips to get the best grilled pork chops:
- The thicker the better: Thicker pork chops retain their juices better for more flavor and tenderness, so target 1-2 inches whenever possible.
- Salt the chops: Salt tenderizes the meat for juicy chops, and optionally you can brine them in salt water for 20-30 minutes too.
- Pat dry: Grilling wet chops will interfere with the searing process, so remove excess moisture by patting dry with paper towels or a tea towel before grilling.
- Use a thermometer: Check doneness accurately using an instant-read thermometer once it reads 145°F , remove the pork chops from the grill .
- Let the pork chops rest: After baking, they should rest for 3-5 minutes to let the juices retreat back into the meat for maximum flavor. Resist the urge to cut into them right away!
Since theres wide variation among grills, including gas and charcoal grills, pay attention to the grill thermometer to know what kind of heat youve got.
How Long To Cook
How long to grill is mostly a thickness thing. A ¾ inch thick chop may only be about 10 minutes. A 1-inch thick chop is more like 12-14 minutes, and a 1 ½ inch may take up to 20 minutes.
A bone-in chop may take a bit longer than boneless. Also, the starting temp of the chop and the exact grill temperature will have large effects. As always, COOK TO THE FINAL INTERNAL TEMPERATURE AND NEVER BY TIME ALONE.
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How Can You Tell If Porkchops Are Done
While you are cooking the pork chops, feel their firmness by poking them with your tongs or spatula. If they are still very soft they are still raw in the middle. If they are extremely firm they are very well done. You want to finish cooking the chops when they are firm, but not overly hard or leather-like.
How To Grill Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out
You dont need much to make juicy pork chops, just good quality chops, canola oil, and your pork chop seasoning of choice .
Sprinkle the pork chop seasoning on lightly oiled pork chops, making sure to coat both sides well. Allow the rub to rest into the chops as the grill pre-heats so the flavor seeps into the pork chops before searing on the grill and sealing in flavor.
Then, its just a matter of throwing the pork chops on the grill and letting them cook through. You want to turn the chops just once while theyre on the grill.
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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.
How To Grill Pork Chops
First, heat your grill to around 375°F. After the grill has preheated and is maintaining around that temperature for 5-10 minutes, its time to start grilling. When grilling pork chops, its best to have a hot and a warm zone.
If using a charcoal grill, you can bank all the coals onto one side of the grill, leaving one side with no heat . For gas grills, turn up one side of the grill to a medium/high heat. On the other side, turn the burner to low heat. This will help to make sure the pork chops reach the proper internal temperature without burning.
Start by placing your pork chops over direct heat. Searing the pork chops for 2-3 minutes per side will allow for those great grill marks and crust that everyone loves. It also allows the marinade or rub to caramelize and create a deeper flavor. Once youve seared each side of the pork chop, its time to move it over to your warm zone or indirect heat.
Moving the pork chop over indirect heat will help it to reach the desired internal temperature without overcooking. What youre doing is baking the pork chops in this zone. Depending on the thickness of your pork chop, continue to grill on indirect/low heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until you reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
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Why Are My Grilled Pork Chops Tough
Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When theyre cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether its in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, theyre quick to dry out, and you guessed it become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.
Easy Foreman Grill Pork Chops Recipe
A George Foreman Grill is a perfect vehicle for cooking pork chops. You should also be able to grill delicious pork chops with these instructions using any other panini press or electric indoor grill. Pork chops are a versatile, delicious, and an easy protein to prepare in a variety of ways. Pork is generally a mild tasting meat by itself. It can benefit from adequate seasoning and will take on many flavors successfully. Yet, recipes do not need to be overly complicated.
It is recommended that you use center-cut boneless chops that are approximately 1/2 to 3/4? thick for optimal results on a Foreman Grill. You will want to have your pork at room temperature before it hits the grill so that is cooks evenly and the center is not undercooked. So, take the chops out of the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes before cooking.
It is important that the grill be fully preheated to ensure that the chops are well seared to seal in the flavors and juices. It is also important to have a digital meat thermometer handy to check for doneness. It is very easy to overcook pork and dry it out, especially with leaner cuts. After grilling, allow the pork to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing so that the juices are reabsorbed.
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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!
How To Cook Pork Chops In The Oven
Serves 4
- olive oil
- 4 pork chops
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How Long Do You Cook Grilled Pork Chops
Pork chops that are 1 1/2 inch thick, grilled over high heat, will take approximately 15 minutes per side for a total of 30 minutes of grilling time. Reverse-seared pork chops, cooked over lower heat and then finished over a hot grill, will take closer to 1 hour.
Regardless of the cooking method, you want to cook until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a 3 minute rest this is considered medium, and is the recommended safe temperature for pork chops. Some cooks are comfortable cooking their pork chops to lower temperatures, like 135 degrees Fahrenheit, which can give you more tender meat.
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How To Grill Boneless Pork Ribs On Gas Stove
Fry the chops.If necessary, clean the grill grate. If using a gas grill, lower one of the burners to medium heat. Place the ribs on the hot side of the grill, cover and bake them until there are no grill marks on the bottom, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer pork chops to a cooler part of the grill.
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How Do You Cook Pork Chops On An Electric Grill
Coat both plates of the grill with vegetable oil. Grill the pork chops with the top closed for 4 minutes. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the center. You are looking for a minimum internal temperature of 145°F for medium and up to 160°F for well done.
Key Temps: Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
Pork chops have two terrific points going for them. First, they are delicious. Second, they are cheap. Its hard to find a cut of meat that delivers so well for so little money. And if theyre thick pork chops, well, thats even better.
But heres the thing: pork chops only deliver on that promise of deliciousness if you dont overcook them, and overcooking them is easy. Here, well go over the thermal tricks you need to know to get perfect, juicy thick-cut pork chops on the grill every time.
Pork Chop Finish temp: 145°F
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Tips For Making Grilled Pork Chops
Pork chops are a pretty straightforward meat to cook on the grill, but I have a few tips for you that will help ensure your chops come off the grill perfectly cooked and totally juicy.
- Two-zone grilling. Use two-zone heat on your grill to achieve juicy, perfectly cooked pork chops with that slightly charred grilled flavor.
- Keep an eye on temperature. Invest in a good meat thermometer to monitor your internal temperature so you dont overcook the pork.
- Make sure that pepper is freshly cracked! When mixing up your grilled pork chop rub, try using freshly cracked black pepper for a brighter flavor.
- Dont poke the meat! Dont stab your pork chops with a fork or cut into them while they are still cooking. Youll let a lot of the juices out of the meat.
- Remember to rest. As soon as your pork chops reach the correct internal temperature, remove them from the grill and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help stop the cooking process and redistribute the juices through the pork chop.
Pork Chop Grilling Basics
Pork chops are most often cut from the pork loin and are the pig equivalent of ribeye steaks. Now that may seem incredible, as ribeyes are deeply marbled and known for their fatty richness, but modern chops are actually quite lean and have only a hint of the spinalis cap muscle that crowns a ribeye. This is because of the way that consumer demand shaped hog-breeding practices in the USA. The fear of fat and cholesterol led to the breeding of pigs with little intramuscular fat and therefore leaner chops. If you want a rich and fatty chop, you can still get one, but it will have to come from a heritage breed of pig like Berkshire.
Because of that market-imposed leanness, pork chops are often overcooked and dry. To combat the drying tendency, its best to keep your chops moving as you cook them. Get your grill ripping hot so that you can get those tasty Maillard-browned grill lines of charry goodness, but dont leave your chop on one side all the way until its halfway done, and then flip it. Instead, give your chops about 6090 seconds per side, then flip them multiple times.
Pro Tip: Score the Fat for Even Cooking
Pork chops have a tendency to buckle as they cook, making it hard to maintain even contact with the pan. The layer of fat around the chops exterior shrinks faster than the meat inside, squeezing it and causing it to buckle. Score the fat in two or three places with a sharp knife. The chops wont look flawless, but theyll cook a heck of a lot more evenly.
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How Long Does It Take To Grill Pork Chops At 300 Degrees
Start cooking over the direct heat to sear and color the chops on both sides. 2 minutes per side. Slide the chops over to the indirect heat and continue cooking the ideal grill temperature is 300 degrees F. Cook until the internal temperature is 140 degrees F, turning the chops every 2 minutes Llet rest for 5 minutes.
How To Tell If Pork Chops Are Done
Investing in a digital instant-read meat thermometer is key to perfectly cooked, juicy grilled pork chops. Youll avoid the guesswork and know exactly when to take your pork chops off the grill before they get dry and overcooked. When you think your pork chops are almost done, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone, and the temperature should register within a few seconds. As soon as the temperature reads 145 degrees, take them off the grill.
If you dont have a meat thermometer yet, not to worry. There are other ways to gauge the readiness of your pork chops. The best way is to gently poke the meat with your finger or a fork to determine its firmness. If the meat is soft and spongy, it will still be raw in the middle. If the meat is firm and leathery, it is well done.
The perfect chop will be firm, but not hard. Once you remove the pork chops from the grill and they have rested for 5 minutes, you can cut into the thickest part of the meat and check the color. Perfectly done pork that has reached 145 degrees can still be a little pink, but any juices you see should be clear. If you think your meat is still undercooked, throw them back on the grill for 1-2 minutes and check again.
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