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.
How To Make Bone
For fabulous results, youll use both indirect and direct heat for grilling bone-in pork chops on your gas grill. With my Twin Eagles 36 inch grill, the zone dividers make it very easy to regulate different temperatures on the grill for instances like these.
Is It Better To Grill Or Fry Pork Chops
This is what makes pork such a great meat to cook. You dont have to worry about your method of cooking really because it all comes out and tastes great. You can add pork chops to a grill pan or a grill and cook it over medium heat without worries.
Make certain that youre keeping your patience when grilling pork because there are some people that will crank it up on high heat and that isnt always the best solution.
- This can cause it to cook unevenly or too quickly and really ruin the overall outcome of the pork. Keeping it on a medium heat setting and checking the internal temperature is a solid and steady plan.
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Preparation And Storage Tips
- Prepare a batch of the bbq dry rub 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 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° 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.
What Makes This Recipe The Best
What sets this Grilled Pork Chops recipe apart from the rest is the homemade spice rub and homemade barbecue sauce. Ive scaled down both the rub and barbecue sauce from my other recipes because you dont mess with perfection, and I added a brine for optimal tenderness. The dynamic spice rub is made with smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle pepper, salt and pepper. The seasonings envelop the pork in a smoky, earthy, robust, crust with just the right kick of heat that creates a caramelized seasoned crust once grilled.
And then theres the homemade barbecue sauce. Here are just a few comments regarding its deliciousness :
Absolutely incredible!! My husband is a huge BBQ rib fan. Hes been to rib competitions always looking for the best BBQ sauce. He was blown away. I havent even finished digesting and felt the need to leave this comment asap. Lol thank you... Danielle
.is the best BBQ Sauce I have ever had and I will be making my own from here on out. I was skeptical reading all the posts about how good it was and I now know why. Absolutely amazing Terry
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Grilled Bbq Pork Chops
Thanks to Red Gold® Tomatoes for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The best summer meal! Whether you’re entertaining friends for a cookout or just preparing a quick weeknight dinner, these juicy and tender Grilled BBQ Pork Chops always win rave reviews. Season the chops with a simple dry rub, throw them onto a gas or charcoal grill, and baste them with the sweet, zesty and flavorful Red Gold Red Neck Riviera 1776 Original BBQ sauce. Served with pasta salad, cornbread, coleslaw, or mac and cheese, this grilled pork chop recipe is a picnic favorite!
There’s nothing better than grilled BBQ pork chops on a warm summer evening. They’re quick, easy and versatile — and with a few simple tips they stay juicy and moist . A simple bbq dry rub and a bottle of delicious Red Gold Red Neck Riviera 1776 Original BBQ sauce adds so much great flavor to the meat — with minimal effort. The delicious, family-friendly dinner is ready in less than 20 minutes!
Best Pork Chops On The Grill
My family loves pork chop recipes. I usually prepare pork chops on the stove or in the oven, but lately one of my favorite ways to make them is on the grill! Grilled pork chops have an incredible flavor only the grill can give them, and they are so juicy.
To keep things simple, my easy pork chops recipe uses just 5 ingredients. The best part about it is you can prep them to cook in only 5 minutes, and theyre ready to eat after 30 minutes on the grill!
Grilled pork chops are a perfect choice for a BBQ cookout or for a fun family meal. Living in Florida, grilling is a staple part of my weekly meals and these pork chops are near the top of the list! Just try them, you will see why!
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What Are Other Ways I Can Make Bone
There are multiple ways that you can cook bone-in pork chops. Growing up my mom always fried them and I have always fried them. Now I like to put them in the air fryer or bake them in the oven.
We think the bone-in pork chops always come out so tender and juicy and full of flavor. You can add different marinades to change the flavor.
Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
Have you grilled pork chops before? They are FABULOUS, easy and simple for grilling any day of the week and a delicious way to mix up the usual routine. Pork chops are also budget friendly and can emerge as flavorful and as juicy as a anything when done right-and this recipe is done right. These Grilled Pork Chops are melt-in-your-mouth tender, juicy with complex sweet, savory, smoky, spicy notes with a saucy, caramelized finish. I guarantee they will become a dinner time staple for all your busy days.
Visit pork.org for more pork cooking ideas and inspiration!
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Brined And Grilled Pork Chops Faqs
How can you keep pork chops from drying out on the grill?
Choose bone-in chops that are around 3/4-inch thick, have some marbling and fat around the outside, and soak them in a brine solution for one hour prior to grilling.
How do you brine pork chops for grilling?
Combine 2 cups of water with 4 tablespoons of salt and 1/2 cup of sugar in a saucepan. Simmer and stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. Remove from the heat, add 2 cups of cold water and cool completely before brining the chops for 1 hour.
How long should you cook brined pork chops on the grill?
For 3/4 to 1-inch thick chops, cook on well-oiled grates for 4 minutes on the first side, 3 to 4 minutes on the second, or until a thermometer registers . Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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Best Pork Chops For Grilling
A rib chop, sometimes called a center-cut rib chop, is my go-to cut. It has a bone that runs along one side and a border of fat. On the grill, the fat melts and the marrow in the bone caramelizes, which translates to a whole lot of good feelings that ensue as we dig in!
I prefer a cut that is 2 inches thick. Any thinner, it is more likely to dry out on the grill or get too salty in the brine.
Boneless chops, although pricier, are an option if you’re looking for an all-around leaner cut of meat. They are basically rib chops with the bone and some of the fat trimmed off. My family isnt shy about a generous ribbon of fat, so I hardly trim any off. Leave at least a 1/8-inch layer of it on since fat adds flavor as it renders on the grill.
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Tips For Grilled Pork Chops
- When selecting a pork chop to grill, look for ones with the bone in. Bone in pork chops tend to have better flavor when grilling and the bone helps add moisture.
- To keep pork chops moist on the grill, try this All-Purpose Marinade.
- For extra flavor, try using apple or cherry wood chunks to add a fruity, smoky flavor that compliments pork well. This BBQ Rub is also packed with flavor and tastes delicious on pork.
- The best way to determine if your pork chops are done on the grill is to use a digital cooking thermometer or meat probe. The safe internal temperature of pork chops is 145°F.
How To Grill The Best Pork Chops Of Your Life
Pork chops on the grill is the flavor of summer. Unfortunately, dried out chops that taste like cardboard are also the flavor of summer. Which is a shame because pork, more than any other protein, really benefits from the smoke and heat you get from grilling. So how do so many people go so wrong with what should be a no-brainer?
Well, there are some variables that you should be aware of when it comes to this cut of meat. Different chops cook at different rates. Bone-in versus boneless brings more complexity to the party. The fat really wants to burn before the meat is fully cooked, and if not handled properly they can go from perfectly cooked and juicy to a horrible mouthful of super-dry blandness.
Stacey Ballis
First off, please, if you can, try to avoid the super lean chops. The health-conscious may of course prefer to see less fat, but the fat is what provides both flavor and prevents the chop from drying out. You can always cut off exterior fat on your plate post-cooking if you choose.
This also goes for trying to avoid chops that are very thin. These overcook quicker than you can imagine, and as such, dont spend enough time on the grill to fully get the flavor benefits. Again, when it comes to portion sizing and being aware of healthy eating, you are better off getting one thick chop and sharing it between two people.
Get the recipe: Grilled Pork Chops With Apple-Bourbon Glaze
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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.
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Three Steps To Juicy Pork Chops From The Grill
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The Best Cut Of Meat For Grilled Pork Chops:
Pork chops are a loin cut perpendicularly to the spine of the pig and usually containing a rib or part of a vertebra. There are four major sections where pork chops come from:
In short, you can use this easy grilled pork chops recipe with rib chops, loin chops or boneless chops. Our preference is always a 1-2 inch “thick-cut” chop. The chops shown here each weighed about 8 ounces and measured about 1.5-inches thick.
How Do You Keep Pork Chops Moist After Grilling
The key here is to not over-cook your pork chops. While the internal temperature of pork needs to be 145 degrees F. to be considered safe to eat, you should take them off the grill when they hit approximately 140/142 degrees F. Then, as they rest, the internal temperature will continue to rise that last 5 degrees or so. Also, if you cant eat immediately, you can always brush them with a little avocado oil and then cover with foil then will stay plenty juicy!
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How Long To Cook Pork Chops On The Grill
One of the best parts about grilling pork chops? It is FAST!
The amount of time you need to cook pork chops on the grill will vary based on the thickness and whether you choose bone-in or boneless.
- My recommended 1 ½ inch, bone-in pork chops cook in 9 to 12 minutes over medium high heat. Flip them once halfway through.
- Check the pork early. You can always put your pork back on the grill to cook for longer, but once its overcooked, there is no return.
Remove The Meat From The Grill
Once the pork chops have cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, they’re ready to be removed. Use tongs to transfer them to the clean plate or cutting board, and cover them with foil to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides, and don’t plan on having any leftoversthese chops will be good to the last bite.
Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time, or if you just can’t find suitable center-cut bone-in rib chops for your gathering, go ahead and substitute boneless chops instead. These will only need to be cooked for 2 minutes per side over the medium-hot coals, and removed to the lower heat to cook, covered, for 5 minutes more. Be careful not to overcook themthese chops will get unappealingly dry and tough if the internal temperature rises over 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
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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!
What Is The Best Cut Of Meat For Grilling Pork Chops
There are five different cuts of pork chops.
- Rib Chops: This is a tender cut from the rib section, mild tasting with some fat and with a bone running along one side. Other names are center-cut rib chops, rib pork chop, pork chop end cut.
- Loin Chop: Very lean, mild flavor with a t-bone in the middle. Each chop has two different types of meat which cook at different rates. For this reason, these pork chops are a bit difficult to cook. Other names are center-cut loin chops, pork loin end chop, top loin chop, porterhouse.
- Shoulder Chop: These are flavorful with a fair amount of fat, gristle and bone. They are best for braising. Other names are blade chops, blade steaks, blade-end pork loin chops, pork shoulder steaks, pork loin blade chops.
- Boneless Chop:These are very lean and boneless pork chops. This is a very popular cut. Due to the lack of fat and bone these chops are easy to overcook. Its best to marinate them or brine them. Its also wise to buy thick boneless chops as thinner ones are even easier to overcook and dry up. Other names are Americas cut, pork loin filets.
- Sirloin Chop: Lots of pork flavor, lots of bone and tough. These chops require long cooking times. Not a great pork chop for grilling.
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