How To Grill Thick
Has this summer been as grill-heavy for you as it has been for us? I personally have taken every chance I could to cook on the delicious grill rather than heating my kitchen to unlivable temperatures. But in all of the hubbub surrounding National Grilling Month, surely you have not forgotten the humble pork chop, have you?
I say humble, but there is nothing small or meek about big, juicy pork chops. Pork chops take well to all kinds of seasonings and flavor combinations and are far cheaper than even cheaper steak cuts. To demonstrate their versatility, today were going to discuss how to cook massively-thick double-cut pork chops on the grill.
Contents:
How To Cook Pork Chops On A Gas Grill Or Charcoal Grill
Pork chops are far more lean than they used to be back in the day, and is the same reason why they can easily be overcooked. To make sure they come out juicy and flavorful theres a few tips to deliver juicy bites every time.
Choose the right pork chop for grilling. While lean chops are good, too leanlike sirloin chopsare not great for grilling. Instead, choose center-cut rib chops and center-cut loin chops with a bit more fat for flavor and tenderness.
Fat or thin, both chops win. Thin pork chops are great for grilling because they cook quick with less time to dry out. Thicker pork chops can be just as tender and just as juicy as thin. Again, it comes down to the cut you choose. For a quick-cooking boneless pork chop, choose pork chops with a thin fat cap that are about 1 inch thick.
Oil your chops, not the grill. Boneless pork chops dont have much fat and can stick to the grill if not oiled. We use canola, grape seed or olive oil.
Simply season grilled pork chops. Just like any protein, seasoning is the key. Choose your favorite store-bought pork seasoning or make your own, like my dry rub for ribs thats loaded with flavor.
How To Grill Pork Chops : Overview
Whether its the summer grilling season and you need to add some variety to your weekly backyard barbecue or you want something hearty and full of flavor to pair with your winter squash, grilled pork chops are the ideal and often forgotten meat.
The key, however, is knowing exactly what goes into grilling the perfect juicy pork chop. Weve all had the disappointing chewy, dry, and overcooked pork chop. Taking a few simple steps will ensure you have perfectly cooked juicy pork chops.
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How Do You Make Pork Chops Tender
How to Make Tender Pork Chops
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What Kind Of Grill Do You Need To Grill Pork Chops
You can grill pork chops on any kind of grill, but for best results, use a pellet grill. Charcoal grills tend to cook pork chops too fast, leaving the outside charred, so you need a grill that gives you as much control over the temperature as possible.
Thats where a pellet grill shines. You simply set the temperature you need and your pellet grill will maintain the temperature, automatically adding pellets when the temperature starts to drop. Grilling pork chops on a pellet grill will give you delicious results every time.
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Brined Pork Chops With Grilled Stone Fruit
For the brine:
- 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. juniper berries
- 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 Tbs. kosher salt
- 1 Tbs. freshly ground black pepper
- 6 bone-in pork chops, each at least 1 inch thick
- 6 ripe but slightly firm plums, peaches or nectarines, halved and pitted
- Canola oil for brushing
To make the brine, in a large bowl, combine the water, vinegar, brown sugar, thyme, juniper berries, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Place the pork chops in a large sealable plastic bag and pour in the brine. Seal the bag closed, squish the brine around the chops and refrigerate overnight.
At least 30 minutes before you plan to begin grilling, remove the chops from the refrigerator. Discard the brine, rinse the chops briefly in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for indirect grilling over medium heat the temperature inside the grill should be 350° to 375°F. If using charcoal, bank the lit coals on either side of the grill bed, leaving a strip in the center without heat, and place a drip pan in the center. If using gas, preheat the burners, then turn off 1 or more of the burners to create a cooler zone. Brush and oil the grill grate.
Grilling authority Fred Thompson is the author of the book Williams-Sonoma Grill Master, which includes more than 100 recipes. To buy the iBook version, which includes exclusive videos, search Williams-Sonoma in iBooks on your mobile device.
Pork Chop Grill Time Chart:
The total cooking time for your pork chops will depend on the size and thickness of your meat, as well as the temperature of your grill and whether you’re using bone-in or boneless chops. Here’s a handy chart that provides a closer approximation for your reference:
Again, the best way to know when your meat is done is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
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What Is Medium Heat On A Grill
The medium temperature of a grill is 350°F. Use an ambient probe or your grills hood thermometer to maintain this setting. Medium-High: Medium-high allows for faster cooking, and its perfect for medium-rare food. Ingredients like juicy steaks, burgers, and skewered vegetables work well at this temperature range.
How Many Minutes Should You Grill Pork Chops
Grill the pork chops over direct heat, with the lid closed, until the pork chops are well-marked, for 8-12 minutes total, turning once. For juicy pork chops, the chops should still be barely pink in the middle and 140°F. Rest the chops for 5 minutes for the juices to set into the meat before cutting, and serve.
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Preparation And Storage Tips:
- Prepare a batch of the seasoning blend in advance, so that the pork chops only require a few minutes of actual hands-on prep before they go on the grill.
- Store leftover grilled pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Wrapped tightly, the grilled pork chops will last in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- How to reheat grilled pork chops: Place the pork chops in a dish and cover with foil. Warm in a 350 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes, or just until heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, or they will become tough and dry.
- You can grill pork chops from frozen, but you will need to increase the cooking time by about 50 percent. Again, use a meat thermometer to know when the pork is done.
How To Know When Pork Is Cooked
The most important factor juicy pork is to not overcook. Grill pork according to the heat and times in this recipe for best results.
Here are a few ways to tell if pork is cooked:
- Internal temp: The easiest and most accurate way is to check with a quick-read digital meat thermometer. The internal temp should reach 145 degrees to be safe.
- Visual check: Cut into the center of the pork with a knife. It should be slightly pink for medium.
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Trick For Perfectly Cooked Pork Chops
- Pork is considered safe to eat at 145 degrees F. Its internal temperature will continue to rise as the pork rests, however, so if you wait until your pork chop hits 145 on the grill, it will be overcooked by the time you eat it.
- I prefer to pull pork from the grill when it reaches 135 degrees F, covering it, and letting it rest for 10 minutes to let the carry over cooking finish the job and the meats juices to reincorporate. This method yields perfectly cooked, juicy pork every time!
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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What Should The Inside Of A Pork Chop Look Like
If youre grilling your pork chops, they can look pretty white on the outside and seem done, but when you cut them open, theyre bright pink. Its okay to eat pork when its a little pink on the inside, but it should be more of a greyish white with just a hint of pink. Bright pink meat is most likely still raw.
How To Reverse Sear Pork Chops On A Grill
One popular way to get the most smoke flavor, the perfect cooking temperature, and those appetizing grill marks, is to reverse-sear the pork chops.
Set the Traeger grill temperature to 275 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat, with the lid closed, for 10 to 15 minutes.
Because of the lower temperature, you’ll more than double the cooking time. Cook at the same temp for 60 minutes .
After you reach an hour, you should remove the pork chops from your grill and set your temperature to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the grill is hot, place the pork chop back on the grill and sear for three minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit . Then rest for at least three minutes and serve.
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Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
- 4 tbsp apple sauce
- 100-140g blue cheese
How To Fry Pork Chops
Frying the perfect pork chop doesnt begin in the kitchen, it begins at your local grocery store or butcher. Make sure you know which cut of pork is best for your recipe. For pan-frying, bone-in pork chops are best because the bone helps the chop retain moisture and also imparts flavor to the meat. Pan-frying uses high, direct heat to cook. Its easy to overcook your pork chops if theyre not the right thickness.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
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How Long Does It Take To Cook Pork Chops At 450
The Keys to Perfectly Baked Pork Chops
400 450 degrees. The lenght of time will vary a bit based on the thickness of the chop. Thin, or boneless pork chops will only need about 8 minutes in the oven using my method below. Thick ones may need closer to 20.
Pork Chops Often Get A Bad Rap For Being Dry Here’s How To Fry Pork Chops So They’re Tender And Juicy Every Time
Pan-fried pork chops were a dinnertime staple for lots of us growing up. Served with mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans, few meals represent Moms home cooking more. Despite its popularity, its a dish that many home cooks struggle with. Cooked right, pork chops are tender, juicy and full of flavor. Overcooked, and they can be used as a regulation hockey puck in the Stanley Cup Final.
Never fear: this common mistake is 100% avoidable with a few simple tips and secret tricks. Follow this helpful step-by-step guide to learn how to fry pork chops and transform them from dull to delicious!
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How Long Does It Take Pork Chops To Cook 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.
Why Are My Pork Chops Always 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.
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Safe Internal Temp For Pork Chops
Pork should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat probe to keep an eye on the temperature while it cooks, but you should also avoid piercing the meat too many times, as every time you do, the pork loses some of the juices that keep it tender and succulent. Ensure that you pierce the flesh when measuring the temperature of your meat as the temperature of the bones often reads differently to the meat itself.
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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.
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Why This Recipe Works
Comes together quickly: This boneless pork chops recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep and about 20 minutes on the grill.
Easy BBQ sauce: My simple barbeque sauce is cooked on a stovetop with easy -to-find pantry ingredients .
Tender pork: Buying thick-cut pork chops ensures a tender, juicy, chop on the grill.
Great BBQ flavor: Adding BBQ sauce to both sides of the pork chops while grilling sears in its delicious flavor all around.
Why Pork Chop Is The New Steak
Did you know that pork’s actually pretty healthy?
The next time someone tells you that you’re “fat as a pig,” well… here’s a comeback: pork’s a yin-yang experience. It’s the perfect balance of nutrition, calories, and taste .
Pigs also have 16% less body fat than humans these days. Shocker, right?
Eating pork is also better for the environment than eating beef. So if you’re not yet ready to go cold turkey on meat, here’s a great alternative to reduce your carbon footprint.
And if you’re still not convinced, it’s time to have a taste. After trying out this recipe, you might change your mind!
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How To Grill Boneless Pork Chops
I know youre thinking. but Julie, is it really necessary to allow the grilled pork chops to rest before serving? Yes!! If you want tender, juicy chops allow them to rest covered in foil! Allowing the meat to rest will let the fibers of the meat relax.
This results in that juicy, tender pork chop youre hungry for!
