How Long to Grill Pork Chops (Best Juicy Recipe)
Jun 10, 2024, Updated Jun 20, 2024
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How Long to Grill Pork Chops (Best Juicy Recipe)– Marinated in a flavorful blend of herbs, soy sauce, and a hint of Dijon mustard, these tender chops are grilled to perfection, delivering a mouthwatering experience with every bite. Perfect for your next barbecue or weeknight dinner, this recipe promises juicy, flavorful pork chops that will leave your taste buds begging for more!
Serve with my Cripsy Brussles Sprouts and Roasted Potatoes.
Best Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
Summer grilling isn’t complete without the perfect grilled juicy pork chops recipe. In Italy, we grill pork more than any other meat! This recipe is inspired by the beautiful memories of grilling in our beach home in Sardegna, and my dad’s delicious meat marinades inspire the depth of flavors. I know you’ll love these juicy chops.
- Quick Searing for Juiciness: Searing the pork chops on the grill briefly helps lock in the juices, resulting in a juicy, tender interior and a beautiful caramelized exterior. Mouthwatering BBQ pork chops every time!
You’ll also love my popular thick pork chops, thin pork chops, fried pork chops, and pork tenderloin recipes.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
You’ll need a few basic ingredients from your local grocery store to make these mouthwatering grilled pork chops!
- Bone-In Pork Chops (or Boneless): The main protein of the dish, bone-in chops contribute additional flavor, while boneless chops offer ease of eating. The type of pork chop is based on your preference either works great here.
- Olive Oil: Adds a rich, fruity flavor and helps in tenderizing the pork chops during the marination process.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides a savory and salty umami flavor to enhance the taste of the pork chops without being overly salty.
- Thyme Leaves: Imparts a fragrant, earthy, and slightly minty flavor that complements the richness of the pork.
- Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup, or Honey: Adds sweetness to balance the savory and salty components, creating a well-rounded flavor profile in the marinade.
- Dijon Mustard: Contributes a tangy and slightly spicy element, enhancing the overall flavor complexity of the marinade.
- Garlic (Minced): Infuses a pungent and aromatic garlic flavor, elevating the taste of the marinade and, subsequently, the grilled pork chops.
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the pork and other ingredients, promoting a well-seasoned and balanced taste.
- Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and pungency, complementing the sweetness and providing a gentle background warmth to the dish.
- Fresh Chopped Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a freshness and a hint of grassy flavor to dishes as a garnish, enhancing their visual appeal.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Grilled Pork Chops
Precise Grilling Instructions: these simple steps provide clear instructions for perfectly grilling the pork chops. You’ll get the perfect pork chop every time!
Pork Chop Marinade
Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, chopped thyme, brown sugar (or maple syrup/honey), Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
Marinate the Pork Chops: Place the pork chops in a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chops, making sure they are well-coated.
Marinate in the refrigerator for 1-8 hours, allowing the flavors to infuse into the meat.
Grilling
For the best-grilled pork chops, you’ll want to sear them on high heat.
Preheat the Grill: Preheat your gas grill to 400°F (medium-high heat).
Searing: Remove the pork chops from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. For the initial sear, sear the pork chops on the hot grill for about 2 minutes per side. This helps to lock in the juices.
Grilling: Reduce the heat to medium and continue grilling the pork chops for 4-7 minutes per side. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 140-145°F for medium doneness. Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the chops.
You’ve created pork chop perfection- a great way to enjoy a flavorful grilled meat dinner!
Substitutions
- Olive Oil: Substitute with vegetable oil, avocado, or canola oil.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Regular soy sauce can be used, but be mindful of the increased salt content. Tamari or coconut aminos are good alternatives, especially for a gluten-free option.
- Thyme Leaves: Rosemary, oregano, or sage can be used as alternatives, depending on your flavor preferences.
Variations
Next time you make this best-grilled pork chops recipe, try these variations for a yummy twist:
- Citrus Zest Infusion: Incorporate orange or lemon zest into the marinade to add a burst of citrus. The bright, citrusy notes will complement the savory and sweet elements, creating a refreshing twist.
- Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, include a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade. This adds a spicy kick that enhances the overall flavor profile. Add a bit of paprika for a smoky flavor.
Equipment
- Instant- read thermometer (my best friend when cooking meat)
Storage
To store your leftover pork chops, refrigerate them within two hours of cooking and place them in an airtight container. Enjoy within 3-4 days.
Top tips for best results
Follow these tips for perfectly tender pork chops.
- Choose Quality Pork: Start with high-quality, preferably thick-cut, bone-in pork chops. The thickness of your pork chops helps retain juiciness during grilling, so a thicker cut is your best choice.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your gas grill to the specified temperature (400°F) before placing the pork chops on it. This ensures even cooking and a proper sear.
- Rest for Juiciness: After cooking, allow the grilled pork chops to rest for at least 5 minutes (cover with aluminum foil). This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy texture.
FAQs
Grill pork chops at 400°F for approximately 4-8 minutes per side (depending on thickness), or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium doneness.
Choose thick cuts, marinate, sear quickly on high heat, reduce to medium, use an instant-read thermometer, avoid overcooking, and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Make sure you pick quality thick bone-in or boneless pork chops!
Grilling pork chops at 400°F ensures a good balance between achieving a flavorful sear and allowing the interior to cook thoroughly without drying out. This temperature promotes a juicy and well-cooked result, making it a standard guideline for many grilled pork chop recipes. Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the chops and use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness.
Marinate pork chops for a minimum of 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse, but for best results, extend the marination time up to 8 hours.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, aiming for 140-145°F for medium doneness. Ensure the thermometer doesn’t touch the bone for an accurate reading.
More Recipes
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
What to Serve with Grilled Pork Chops
Here is a guide for what to serve with pork chops!
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Best Juicy Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
How Long to Grill Pork Chops (Best Juicy Recipe)– Marinated in a flavorful blend of herbs, soy sauce, and a hint of Dijon mustard, these tender chops are grilled to perfection, delivering a mouthwatering experience with every bite. Perfect for your next barbecue or weeknight dinner, this recipe promises juicy, flavorful pork chops that will leave your taste buds begging for more!
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops (or boneless), at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons thyme leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, chopped thyme, brown sugar (or maple syrup/honey), Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Marinate the Pork Chops: Place the pork chops in a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chops, making sure they are well-coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1-8 hours, allowing the flavors to infuse into the meat.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your gas grill to 400°F (medium-high heat).
- Searing: Remove the pork chops from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Sear the pork chops on the hot grill for about 2 minutes per side for the initial sear. This helps to lock in the juices.
- Grilling: Reduce the heat to medium and continue grilling the pork chops for an additional 4-7 minutes per side. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 140-145°F for medium doneness. Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the chops.
- Resting: Once the desired internal temperature is reached, transfer the grilled pork chops to a clean plate, cover with foil, and let them rest for 5 minutes. During this time, the carryover cooking will raise the internal temperature to 145°F.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve your juicy grilled pork chops. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 min + marinade time
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: American
- Cuisine: American
We love this all summer!