Grilled Pork Chops

Are you looking for a cut of meat that’s affordable, packed with flavor, and easy to grill? Look no further! Grilled Pork Chops are often forgotten, but not for long!

When you think about grilling dinner for yourself or others, several menu options come to mind. Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, steaks, fish, the list goes on and on. For some reason, the one cut of meat that’s usually at the bottom of the list or left off entirely is the pork chop. Why is that?

I’ve asked myself this question many times and can’t explain it. First, they’re economical. I can get butterflied pork chops that are bigger than a filet mignon and only slightly smaller than a rib eye for $2.50 each at my local butcher. They range from 1-1.5 inches thick which is comparable to most beef steaks you’ll grill. Second, grilled pork chops are packed with flavor. Depending on your grilling method and if it’s marinated or rubbed down with your favorite seasoning, the end result can be extraordinary.

Here is everything you need to know to grill perfectly moist and flavorful pork chops. Pork chops will never be forgotten again!

How To Prepare Pork Chops

Just like when preparing steaks for the grill, pork chops are easy to prepare. There are two ways I recommend preparing your pork chops for the grill. The first way is with a dry rub or seasoning. This BBQ Rub is excellent and pairs perfectly with pork adding a delicious, smokey flavor. After coating one side of the pork chop, gently press the seasoning into the pork with your fingers or palm, don’t rub it in. Rubbing seasonings into any cut of meat tends to make for an uneven coating, making each bite inconsistent in flavor.

The other way is by marinading. Marinading is a great method for cheaper, thinner cuts of meats which pork chops tend to be.  Try this All-Purpose Marinade when your looking for added flavor and tenderness. To do this, first place the pork chops in a Ziploc bag and pour the marinade over them. Next, let as much air out of the bag as possible to allow the marinade to coat the pork evenly. Finally, allow them to marinate between 30 minutes and 3 hours.

How To Grill Pork Chops

First, heat your grill to around 375°F. After the grill has preheated and is maintaining around that temperature for 5-10 minutes,  it’s time to start grilling. When grilling pork chops, it’s best to have a hot and a warm zone.

If using a charcoal grill, you can bank all the coals onto one side of the grill, leaving one side with no heat (indirect heat). For gas grills, turn up one side of the grill to a medium/high heat. On the other side, turn the burner to low heat. This will help to make sure the pork chops reach the proper internal temperature without burning.

Start by placing your pork chops over direct heat. Searing the pork chops for 2-3 minutes per side will allow for those great grill marks and crust that everyone loves. It also allows the marinade or rub to caramelize and create a deeper flavor. Once you’ve seared each side of the pork chop, it’s time to move it over to your warm zone or indirect heat.

Moving the pork chop over indirect heat will help it to reach the desired internal temperature without overcooking. What you’re doing is baking the pork chops in this zone. Depending on the thickness of your pork chop, continue to grill on indirect/low heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until you reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

Once the internal temperature has been reached, remove the pork chop from the grill and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Allowing your pork chop to rest before serving helps the juices inside to redistribute evenly. This makes sure the juice and flavor stay inside meat instead of running all over your plate!

Tips For Grilled Pork Chops

• When selecting a pork chop to grill, look for ones with the bone in. Bone in pork chops tend to have better flavor when grilling and the bone helps add moisture.
• To keep pork chops moist on the grill, try this All-Purpose Marinade.
• For extra flavor, try using apple or cherry wood chunks to add a fruity, smoky flavor that compliments pork well.  This BBQ Rub is also packed with flavor and tastes delicious on pork.
• The best way to determine if your pork chops are done on the grill is to use a digital cooking thermometer or meat probe. The safe internal temperature of pork chops is 145°F.

Sides To Serve With Your Pork Chops

• Grilled Corn On The Cob
• Twice Baked Potatoes
• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Baked Beans