In my opinion, pork chops are an underrated cut of meat. They’re inexpensive, juicy and packed full of flavor. Some of my favorite pork chop recipes include mushroom pork chops, brown sugar pork chops, and these simple yet satisfying grilled pork chops.
Grilled Pork Chop Ingredients
To make these pork chops you will need pork chops, olive oil, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, lemon zest, parsley leaves, thyme leaves, garlic, salt and black pepper. As long as you are grilling, you might as well cook up some delicious side dishes like grilled mushrooms, grilled vegetables and grilled potatoes in foil. You can also serve a cool carrot salad or dill potato salad to counterbalance the pork. Add that smoky goodness to your whole meal with these easy recipes!
How Do You Make Grilled Pork Chops?
To grill pork chops, first make a marinade by whisking together olive oil, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, lemon zest, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic in a large bowl. Place your pork chops in the bowl and let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Preheat a grill to medium heat. Place the pork on the grill and listen for that satisfying sizzle. Grill the chops until golden brown and cooked through. Add a sprinkle of parsley and you’ll be ready to eat!
Tips For The Perfect Grilled Pork Chops
You can use bone in or boneless pork chops. I prefer bone-in pork chops as they’re less likely to dry out on the grill. You can make the marinade up to 3 days in advance. Store the marinade in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. This marinade contains sugar which adds great flavor, but can burn on the grill. Make sure your grill is not too hot before you add your meat! You can use a charcoal grill, gas grill or indoor grill pan for this recipe. Heat the grill before placing the pork on it so that the grate leaves nice grill marks on both sides of the pork chops. The best way to gauge whether your pork is done is to use a meat thermometer. You can use an instant read thermometer or a probe thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat for the most accurate reading. Make sure the thermometer doesn’t touch the bone.
Grilled Pork Chop Variations
While this recipe is delicious as-is, you can add other ingredients to customize it to your tastes.
Spicy: You can add crushed red pepper flakes to this marinade. I typically add 1/4 teaspoon, but you can add more than that if you like. Asian: Try a blend of olive oil, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and garlic for the marinade. Mexican: You can marinate the chops in a blend of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, chili powder and onion powder. Another great option is to stir in a tablespoon of taco seasoning. Add a sprinkle of cilantro before serving for maximum flavor. Flavorings: You can make a sweeter pork chop by adding a tablespoon of honey to the marinade. You can make a more savory chop by adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika and a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the marinade. Try adding some Jamaican jerk seasoning for an extra kick of flavor.
I make these pork chops year round, they’re just that good. I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine does!
