How To Grill Pork Chops
Gladiator Series R Meat Cleaver 9" with Stand
How To Grill Pork Chops : Overview
- Mix pork chop marinade in a large bowl and add pork chops.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375-400 degrees) 20 minutes prior to grilling.
- Place pork chops on grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
- Move pork chops to indirect heat (or lower temp to medium) and cook for 8-12 more minutes, flipping once, or until pork chops reach 145 degrees F.
- Remove pork chops from the grill and allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes.
Whether it’s 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. We’ve all had the disappointing chewy, dry, and overcooked pork chop. Taking a few simple steps will ensure you have perfectly cooked juicy pork chops.
1. How to Grill Pork Chops Properly
Gladiator Series R Meat Cleaver 9" with Stand
Tools Needed:
- Apron (Does any respectable grill master NOT have a sweet grilling apron?)
- Grill Set (another must-have for successful grilling!)
- Slicing and carving knife (if cutting your own chops from a pork loin)
- Cutting board
Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in thick center cut rib chop pork chops, at least 1” thick
- ½ cup olive
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 2 large cloves of finely chopped garlic (or 4 teaspoons garlic powder)
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 half freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, make pork chop marinade by mixing brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic, and onion powder. Add in olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. Whisk together.
- Place pork chops in casserole dish and pour marinade over them. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- If using a gas grill, preheat to medium-high 10 minutes prior to grilling. If using a charcoal grill, prepare it so you will have a place for indirect heat by banking coals on each side of the grill, leaving the center of the grill without coals/heat. Light charcoals at least 20 minutes prior to grilling. Temperature in either type of grill should be 375-400 degrees prior to putting on the pork chops.
- Using your tongs, place loin chops on grill and sear for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Move pork chops to indirect heat (or reduce to medium), and continue grilling for 4-6 minutes on each side, depending on their thickness. If you have a meat thermometer, make sure the thickest part of the chops reach 145 degrees.
- Remove the pork chops from the grill and allow them to rest for 5-8 more minutes.
Pro Tips:
- Choosing the right cut is key to a perfect, juicy pork chops recipe. All pork chops come from the loin, but depending on what section of the loin, the chops will differ in flavor and tenderness. In my experience, the center-cut rib chops are the best choice for grilling. They have a little fat to add flavor, but not the tough gristle of a shoulder chop. They are very tender and the flavor is mild. A boneless chop is also an option, and perhaps the most commonly used. They cook a little faster, but without any bone or fat, they often have less flavor and dry out quickly.
- Thick pork chops are also key to maximum flavor and juiciness. If you can, get your chops cut at your local butcher or meat counter and request a minimum of 3/4” thick, ideally 1 to 1 ½” thick. But remember, the thickness of your pork chops affects the time it takes them to cook on the grill, so always take that into account when timing your grilled pork chops.
- If you want to cut your own chops, buy a 8-rib bone-in pork loin from your local butcher. With the loin on your cutting board, use your carving knife and slice between each bone or every two for thicker pork chops.
2. Dry Rub--An Alternative to Marinade
Vanquish Series Chef's Knife 8"
Everyone loves a good sauce, but dry rubs are also a great way to add flavor and seasoning to your pork chops.
A quick and easy dry rub recipe:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Whisk all ingredients together until they are well-blended.
- After drying your pork chops with a paper towel, brush each side with an equal parts olive oil and soy sauce mixture.
- Rub mixture on each side of the loin chop.
- Grill as previously instructed.
3. How To Tell If Pork Chops Are Done
Shadow Black Series Cleaver Knife 9"
Investing in a digital instant-read meat thermometer is key to perfectly cooked, juicy grilled pork chops. You’ll 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 don’t 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. (It’s very important not to slice into the meat. You’ll lose some of the juices, and the meat will cook and dry out faster.) 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.
4. How To Keep Pork Chops From Drying Out
Gladiator Series Chef's Knife 8"
My fondest childhood memories are eating over at my grandmother’s 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. It’s the reason we’ve 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 (at least 5 minutes). The fibers of the meat relax as it is resting, and this gives the pork chops the juicy tenderness we all aspire to.
5. The Difference Between Barbecue and Grilling
Gladiator Series Meat Chopper 8" with Acacia Wood Stand
Is there a difference? Most everyone uses these words interchangeably, but there is actually a difference! Who knew?! We typically use barbeque and grilling both to mean cooking outdoors on gas grills (or any grill for that matter). But as a cooking technique, they differ in a couple of ways.
- Barbecuing refers to cooking slowly on low heat.
- Grilling is typically cooked fast on higher heat.
Now that you know how to cook the perfect pork chops, be sure to check out this handy guide on how to set the dinner table.
6. The Best Knives For Pork Chops
1. Shadow Black Series | 4 Piece Steak Knife Set
Don't let the name fool you, these knives are perfect for cutting a lot more than just steak. With razor sharp edges and a sleek design, you can impress your dinner guests with more than just your cooking.
Pros :
- The edge is painstakingly hand sharpened to 16-18° per side, maintaining the perfect balance between blade sharpness and maximum resilience
- Added chromium for stain resistance
- Polished spine to facilitate a comfortable pinch grip
- Full tang for incredible robustness & quality
Cons :
- Some people prefer a more traditional knife with a classic metallic appearance.
- The unique handle design is not to everyone's taste
2. Utility Knife 5'' | Phantom Series | herniaquestions ©
This beautifully designed all rounder knife is perfect for slicing through a juicy pork chop. Considered one of the most versatile blades in any chef’s arsenal, the utility knife excels at a wide variety of culinary work from slicing, trimming and sectioning and to other more fine and precise challenges such as coring and peeling.
Pros
- Ice-tempered blade ensures excellent resilience and superior edge retention
- Ruthlessly sharp scalpel like edge is hand finished to a mirror polish within a staggering 13-15°
- Tapered blade design for durability and flexibility
- Polished spine to facilitate a comfortable pinch grip
- Beautiful hand polished satin finish blade, further refined with detailed engravings
- Cleans easily for low maintenance
Cons
- The Japanese engraving is not to everyone's liking
- Needs to be washed by hand
- Some people prefer a longer blade
3. Quantum Series 8.5" Chef's Knife
The future is here. This is the start to a new beginning, and you've taken the very first step by joining the culinary revolution with your herniaquestions Quantum 1 Series knife - A knife meticulously crafted and proudly engineered for exceptional performance, and painstakingly hand sharpened by expert bladesmiths.
PROS:
- Precision forged, ultra sharp, wear resistant, single-piece, high carbon American BD1N-VX steel at an astounding 63+ HRC, with an added vacuum heat seal treatment, earning the "VX" designation.
- The edge is painstakingly hand sharpened to 8-12° per side, maintaining the perfect balance between blade sharpness and maximum resilience.
- Uniquely designed with our “Nova Prime” blade pattern that reduces drag and increases efficiency.
- Tall blade height gives knuckle clearance to assist with food preparation and chopping activity.
- Believe it or not, some folks are not crazy about the distinctive Quantum Series 1 look.
7. 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 EURA, 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 you’re short on time or have surprise guests, just keep your favorite bbq sauce stocked in the pantry for barbeque pork chops!
How long does it take to grill 1 inch pork chops?
Grilling 1-inch thick pork chops generally takes about 4 to 5 minutes per side, assuming the grill is preheated to medium-high heat (around 400°F or 204°C). Remember to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare to 160°F (71°C) for medium doneness. Adjust the cooking time based on your preferred level of doneness.
How long does it take to grill 1-2 inch pork chops?
Grilling 1 to 2-inch thick pork chops requires approximately 6 to 8 minutes per side on a preheated medium-high grill (around 400°F or 204°C). Utilize a meat thermometer to guarantee the internal temperature reaches a safe 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare to 160°F (71°C) for medium doneness. Adjust the cooking duration to achieve your preferred level of doneness.
How long to grill pork chops on gas grill?
Grilling pork chops on a gas grill generally takes about 4 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chops and the desired level of doneness. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F or 204°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare to 160°F (71°C) for medium doneness.
How long to grill 2 inch thick pork chops?
Grilling 2-inch thick pork chops typically requires around 12 to 16 minutes per side on a preheated medium-high grill (about 400°F or 204°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare to 160°F (71°C) for medium doneness. Adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of doneness and grill heat.
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Devoted follower of the farm-to-table scene, Meredith is most well-known for her ability to whip up a gourmet meal in the tiniest of spaces, including her camper van.
