These grilled bone-in pork chops are perfectly tender & juicy, drizzled with delicious garlic butter! Thick cut pork chops are used in this recipe, as their thickness makes them more forgiving and less likely to dry out. An easy salt and pepper dry brine seasons them, and ensures they stay moist throughout grilling. You'll cook the pork chops to 145 degrees F before letting them rest a few minutes off the heat so their juices fully distribute. Which is why some people look for barbecue pork chops recipes over grilled pork chop recipes. Remove from the grill and let the meat rest for 10 minutes.
The internal temperature will rise and reach a safe 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Grill pork chops, pork tenderloin, and kabobs over direct heat for the sear, then finish the job with indirect heat. When the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F , pull the meat off the grill; it'll continue to cook due to the residual heat and will reach 145 degrees F . Let the pork rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to redistribute the juices. (pork will reach safe temperature of 145°F after resting). Actual cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill and the thickness of your pork chop.
Although time is a nice guideline for a recipe, the absolute most important factor in grilling your pork chops to perfect doneness is internal temperature. Pork is perfectly cooked through, juicy, and safe to eat at 145 degrees F. Get yourself a good instant read thermometer to avoid over or under cooking your grilled pork chops.
I recommend this $32 digital Thermopop from Thermoworks or the $99 Thermapen MK4 if you're really serious. Using a digital meat thermometer, insert the tip into the thickest part of the pork chop, but not touching the bone. When the internal temperature reaches 145°F, remove it from the grill. Place the pork chops on a cutting board or a platter, loosely cover with foil, and allow them to "rest" for five minutes to allow the juices to settle back into the meat. 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. The rib, loin, and boneless chops are ideal for high and fast cooking techniques. We recommend seasoning pork chops with a combination of salty and sweet flavors - not too much - and preheating the grill to medium-high, from about 375°F to 500°F. Prepare a two-zone fire so that you can quickly sear the pork chops over high heat, then finish them gently over lower heat until done.
Keep an eye on their internal temperature using a BBQ thermometer. You are looking for an internal temperature of around 145°F to 150°F for ideal juiciness and texture. Brushing with sauce or glaze is a great way to add extra flavor, but do this once the chops have been seared and moved off of direct heat. The best way to ensure you aren't overcooking your pork chops is to use a meat thermometer. Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°.
There won't be any pink left when you cut into it! You can safely pull the meat off the grill at 140° and after resting for a few minutes, the meat will have continued to carry-over cook to the 145°. It's the best way to ensure your pork chop doesn't come out dry!
We recommend a cook time of 8 minutes per side, but ideally you are checking the temperature as each grill and pork chop is different. When buying your chops go for ones that are about 1" thick and boneless center cut. If you prefer bone-in those work well too. According to USDA guidelines, pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time, the meat will reach a safe 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63° C) which puts them at a nice juicy medium temperature. You'll do the 1st sear of the pork chops, for 2 minutes on each side, over medium high heat.
Then you'll move them to one side of the grill, where the burner is off. You'll close the lid, and cook for minutes with indirect heat, until the temperature of the pork chops is around 120 degrees F using a digital meat thermometer. Getting your temperature right will make a difference between eating juicy grilled pork chops and struggling with some dried out, tough chops.
Then, do you love your chops boneless or bone-in? You can set a temperature that will keep the meat tender, preserve its juices, and leave it with that smoky flavor you want. And, since these cuts are lean, no need for marinating them before grilling.
Your meal can be ready in half an hour. 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. As soon as the temperature reads 145 degrees, take them off the grill.
Thicker pork chops take longer to cook. Two-zone grilling gives you the versatility to cook for longer periods without overcooking the meat. When done right, grilled pork chops can be very succulent and flavorful. It all depends on your pork cut, seasoning and getting the cooking temperature and times right. Whether you use a charcoal or gas grill, you can learn how to grill pork chops perfectly at home.
If you've ever made grilled pork chops and had them turn out dry and tough, you're not alone. However, deliciously tender, juicy chops are a cinch to make provided you have the right cut of pork and an hour to bathe them in a simple brine before cooking. We also like to coat them with our own sweet-and-smoky barbecue rub. It adds flavor and the sugar in it caramelizes on the outside of the chops like a glaze. After your pork chops are finished cooking, transfer them to a plate and slather with more barbecue sauce. Let the pork rest 3 minutes before serving.
While the pork cooks, the juices are forced away from the heat to the middle of the meat. The resting time allows for the redistribution and reabsorption of the juices throughout the whole chop for optimal flavor and juiciness. If you don't allow for this calming period, valuable moisture-giving juices will seep out and be lost when you slice into the pork, resulting in less juicy pork chops. The best pork chops for grilling are center-cut, bone-in rib chops that are at least an inch thick. To avoid drying the chops while grilling, either marinate or brine them before cooking.
We suggest a basic brine solution of 1/4 cup salt to four cups of water. Brine the pork chops in a shallow dish for two to four hours in the refrigerator. Discard the used marinade or brine, rinse chops in cold water, and pat dry with a paper towel. Liberally apply coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to both sides. If you're feeling adventurous, you can add a wide variety of spices, from brown sugar and chili powder to coriander, turmeric and any number of ethnic blends.
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. Move the pork chops to the indirect heat area.
Cover the grill and cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit when checked with an instant read thermometer. 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. In a small bowl mix together salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F .
Heat coals, gas grill, or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush grates with oil to prevent sticking. Place meat on the grill and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side or refer to the cooking time chart above for other cuts. The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. 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. I grill a lot of pork so I'm pretty confident in giving advice on how to get perfectly grilled pork chops. A humble dinner fork is used to poke holes in the meat to help tenderize the pork for the grill. A citrusy marinade continues the process of ensuring tasty and tender pork chops.
And a digital meat thermometer makes sure the chops aren't over-cooked. Reduce the burners to medium, close the lid, and cook for about another 15 minutes more. Pork needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
The juiciest grilled pork chops are coated in a simple and tasty homemade spice rub and grilled until perfectly tender, golden brown and delicious. This recipe includes instructions for gas, pellet and charcoal grills. Another secret to tender, juicy pork chops is not to immediately serve them as soon as they come off the grill. Cover the pork chops with aluminum foil and let them rest for 3-5 minutes.
DO NOT OVERCOOK OR THE PORK CHOPS MAY BE DRY. Pull them off the grill and let rest for 5 minutes to let the juices distribute throughout. Grill time for bone-in pork chops will vary depending on thickness, so it's better to asses by temperature than time. This recipe works well with bone-in or boneless pork chops. Just adjust the cooking time according to the size and thickness of your meat . Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
A juicypork chop with some pinkin the middle has finally been given the official "okay" by the USDA. A juicypork chop with some pinkin the middle has been given the official "okay" by the USDA. For medium-thick pork chops (3/4 to 1 inch), I cook with direct heat. I sear both sides of the chops briefly over high heat to get a nice crust and then move them to an area of less intense heat, cover the grill, and let them cook through.
I also leave a portion of the grill with no coals in case a chop is burning, is caught in a flare-up, or is cooking too quickly. For gas grills, set one burner on medium high and another on low. Made these last night WITHOUT brining as I did not have the time. My husband wanted grilled pork chops at the last minute. I think what was key was putting the chops on the unlit side for 10 minutes. My chops were thick and in only ten minutes on the unlit side they came out very juicy and perfectly cooked.
Had I had time to brine they would have had that lovely char on the outside, but I brushed the chops with a bit of honey and they had a sweet taste in the grill marks. Great recipe and will brine next time. To combat this from happening, keep reading for his three golden rules when it comes to grilling pork chops. For 1-inch thick boneless pork chops, cook for 8-12 minutes over direct heat turning every 3-4 minutes or until well grill marked with the lid closed. Add another 5 minutes resting time for the juices to set in the meat. Bone in pork chops are the best for grilling.
You want to purchase a pork chop that is at least 1-inch thick to use on the grill. If you don't see any out for purchase, you should ask at the meat counter and they can cut them for you. Ask for a 1 1/2 to 2 inch bone-in center cut rib chop or loin chop. Either of these will be a great option for the grill. Next, use your meat thermometer to confirm the cooking temperature at the end of the cooking time. Insert it at the coldest part of the meat.
Usually, this part is the mid-section area. Once you confirm it, remove the chops, place them on an aluminum foil, and wait for its recommended resting time before serving. During the resting time, the juices will redistribute to the entire meat to result in an even, juicy pork chop. 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. Instead of high-sodium marinades, you can make your own at home. For sweet pork chops, you can combine a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons of olive oil and ¼ cup of honey. For a saltier marinade, soy sauce and a little garlic can go a long way. If you brined your chops beforehand, there is no need to add extra salt. Learn how to grill pork chops and serve with baked potatoes and vegetable sides.
Before you send your pork chops to the grill, it is important to season them properly. Brining – a process of soaking meat in salt water overnight – is a great way to tenderize thick pork cuts. You simply add a tablespoon of salt for every cup of water into a bowl, and a tablespoon of sugar if you like pork sweeter. Alternatively, you can put together a dry rub of fresh herbs and spices, or simply salt and pepper.
