This grilled pork chops recipe comes out so juicy and tender on the inside and has gorgeous, charred grill marks on the outside.
In this post, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about grilled pork chops like what cut of meat to use, how to flavor it, and how to grill pork chops perfectly every time.
Learn How to Grill Pork Chops!
Grilled pork doesn’t have to be dry! This super juicy grilled pork chops recipe packs a ton of delicious flavor and is perfectly cooked every time on the grill. We’ll walk you through everything step-by-step in this “how to grill pork chops” post.
Why should you be grilling pork chops?
So juicy: these marinated grilled pork chops are seriously so juicy and flavorful.
Perfectly cooked every time: we’ll teach you how to grill pork chops perfectly every time without over or undercooking them!
High protein: Per serving, you get grilled pork chops pack in 48g protein.
What is a Pork Chop?
Pork chops are sliced cutlets from pork loin. They are a leaner cut of pork with some fat marbling that come pre-portioned. You can either buy pork chops bone-in or boneless pork chops. They come in varying thicknesses and are widely available at most U.S. grocery stores.
What kind of pork do I need for grilling pork chops?
This grilled pork chops recipe calls for a thicker, bone-in pork chop. We recommend going to your local butcher or the meat counter at your local grocery store and asking for 2 lbs. thick-cut bone-in pork chops.
We used 4 pork chops in this recipe. So each one weighed about 1/2-lb.
How to Flavor Grilled Pork Chops for Grilling
There are two main ways that you can flavor pork chops for grilling –> marinades (which we used in this recipe) or dry rubs.
Marinades: a marinade is like a flavor bath for your pork. It infuses the meat with delicious flavors and leaves your pork extra juicy. In this recipe, we’re using our go-to pork chop marinade (more on that below).
Dry Rubs: dry rubs are a great way to add amazing texture to the outside along with intense flavor. If you’d rather use a dry rub for this recipe, we recommend our Pork Rub. It’s sweet, savory, and a little smokey. It’s made with black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and a little cinnamon.
PS: if you want ultra-tender chops, feel free to use our pork chop brine.
Best Grilled Pork Chop Marinade
We absolutely love marinating pork because it really does infuse the entire piece of meat with juicy flavor.
Our go-to grilled pork chop marinade recipe is sweet, and salty and does wonders for flavoring your chops! Here’s what you need:
- Soy sauce: add a richness of salt perfect for breaking down the tendons in yoru pork.
- Brown sugar: sugar helps balance out the saltiness with some sweet.
- Worcestershire sauce: we love Worcestershire sauce in marinades becuase it’s savory and tangy all at the same time.
- Garlic: feel free to use minced garlic or mince your own garlic cloves.
- Lemon juice: a little citrus pulls all of these flavors together.
All you have to do is combine all of this in a large bowl and you’re ready to marinate your pork!
Other Ways to Flavor Grilled Pork Chops
Brine: a pork chop brine is a super simple way to infuse your chops with salty goodness and make them extra tender.
Seasonings: homemade dry rubs are an excellent way to add robust flavor to pork. Here are some of our favorites:
#1 tip for perfect marinated pork chops
Let. Them. Sit.
We recommend letting your pork chops marinate for 12-24 hours. Trust us, the longer they sit the better.
If you’re short on time, make sure to marinate no less than 2-4 hours.
FAQ
Grill pork chops over medium/high heat over direct heat for 6-8 minutes on each side.
The way to keep pork chops from drying out on the grill is to cook them over direct medium-high heat. You want to make sure you cook them quickly so that they sear on the outside and stay nice and juicy on the inside.
1-inch pork chops should take around 12-14 minutes at around 400ºF.
How to Grill Pork Chops – Step by Step
- Mix marinade: combine the grilled pork chops marinade in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Marinate: place pork chops in a gallon-size bag or large dish and pour marinade on top of the pork chops. Squish them around making sure every last bit gets coated. Let marinate in the fridge for 12-24 hours (or for at least 2-4).
- Grill over direct heat: grill over direct heat for around 6-8 minutes on each side and until the internal temperature reaches at least 140ºF (for medium-rare) or 150ºF (for medium-well).
- Let rest: let pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the internal temperature to rise 5 more degrees.
- Enjoy!
Note: check out our grilled pork chops temperature guide below. You’ll see that we’re recommending taking the meat off the grill 5ºF lower than your preferred doneness. As pork rests, it will continue to cook around 5ºF.
Pork Chops Internal Temperature
The best way to know if your pork chops are done is by measuring the internal temperature. Everyone likes to eat their pork chops slightly differently. Some like it well done and some like it medium-rare.
So, below you will find internal temperatures corresponding to doneness:
- 145-150ºF – medium-rare
- 150-155ºF – medium
- 155-160ºF – medium-well
- 160+ºF – well done
Remember to always let your pork chops rest for at least 5 minutes after removing them from heat so they can continue to rise in temperature by 5ºF.
What kind of grill should I use?
Both a charcoal grill and a gas grill will work for this recipe. Just make sure to keep consistent heat of 400ºF or medium-high heat.
Can I use a grill pan instead?
Feel free to cook your pork chops on a grill pan over a burner that is set to medium/high heat. Follow the recipe as written. Do note that your house might get a little smokey!
What to Serve with Grilled Pork Chops
Looking for some simple grilled sides to pair with your chops? Check out some of our favorite ones below!
Storage
Our biggest tip when storing grilled pork chops is to let them cool completely before refrigerating. So, let it cool, transfer leftovers into an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
Photography: photos taken in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.
