How to Cook Pork Chops on the Grill

Firing up the grill doesn’t always have to mean cooking steaks or ribs. There are many other great options for making the most of the heat, including chicken and pork. Pork chops are a good choice for throwing on the grill as well, especially after the coals start to die back down or when you’re using medium heat on a propane grill. There are a few tricks to grilling this kind of meat without leading to dry or tough results. It all starts with choosing the right chop and handling it correctly.

Which Pork Chops to Use for Grilling

It’s essential to choose bone-in and thicker pork chops if you want juicy and tender results. Thinner pork chops can get a great flavor from grilling, but they’ll be on the dry side and may benefit from being covered in sauce after that point. Thick pork chops are juicy enough to serve with nothing more than seasoning or a rub on the surface. Bone-in chops cook more evenly and won’t get dried out or darkened around the edges. Any cut will do, including the popular center-cut chop or the affordable rib chop.

Tips for Grilling Pork Chops

Consider marinating the pork chops first. Adding in some extra moisture and fat in the form of oil helps the meat stay juicy and tender while you’re grilling. You don’t need a lot of ingredients to add flavor either. Just a few dried or fresh herbs can spice up the mixture.

Always grill the pork to an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. While the pork needs to reach 145 degrees F for safety, it will rise 5 degrees after it’s removed from the grill.

Cover the meat when it’s resting after grilling. The meat will lose juices and become less tender if you let it sit uncovered.

Don’t trim too much of the fat away from the edges of the pork chops. They’ll become drier and less flavorful as they cook if they’re heavily trimmed. If you don’t want to consume the fat, cut it off after the meat gets a chance to rest so the juices stay inside.

Control the heat on the grill so it doesn’t flame up too much. Set the racks a little higher than you would for steaks since the pork chops are much more delicate.

How to Season Pork Chops for Grilling

Most rubs designed for steaks or pork chops will work great when you’re grilling. Smoked paprika or powdered chipotle make great seasonings to bring out the smoky flavor even more. It’s common to include a little sugar, especially dark brown sugar, in pork chop seasoning mixes. The sugar helps bring out the natural sweetness of the meat and ensures a good crispy crust on the surface.

Best Grilled Pork Chop Marinade

Marinating or brining the pork chops helps bring the flavor deeper into the meat, along with encouraging a juicier texture. Marinades that are heavy on white wine, apple cider, teriyaki sauce, or pineapple juice all work great for grilling. Don’t forget flavorful additions like dried herbs, minced garlic, peppercorns, and slivers of onion.

Recipe Variations

Making barbecued pork chops is as easy as starting with a rub that contains ingredients like chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Then apply a coating of your favorite barbecue sauce when there are a few minutes left of cooking on the grill. A second coating applied just after you remove the pork chops from the grill will create a nice thick layer.

Serving Grilled Pork Chops

Grilling onions, tomatoes, or even slices of pineapple and serving them atop the pork chops is a great way to finish them. Fried mushrooms and onions are another classic topping for grilled chops. Melted cheese is a great twist, as is a topping of salsa or pesto. Exploring different sauces and toppings can mix up your grilling routine without requiring you to stock a lot of different spice mixes.

Grilled Pork Chops Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in pork chops, at least 3/4th of an inch thick
• ¼ cup of mild-tasting olive oil
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of honey or brown sugar
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of cracked black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon of spicy brown mustard
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a plastic bag or shallow container. Marinate the pork chops overnight.

2. Start the grill and get the heat settled at a medium level. Clean the grates and apply a coating of oil so the pork chops don’t stick.

3. Grill the chops about 4 to 6 minutes per side. Check the internal temperature and remove them when each one hits 140 degrees F.

4. Cover the pork chops and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Conclusion

Expand your grilling repertoire before your next summer party. Pork chops make a greater lighter alternative to steaks for people who don’t eat a lot of beef. You can also dress up these grilled pork chops in all sorts of ways to appeal to picky eaters. Practice how to cook pork chops on the grill for a weeknight dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.