Here comes kind of a long-winded explanation of how to grill juicy pork chops. If you want the TL;DR it's that the USDA lists 145°F as the pork chop done temp, as do our friends at pork.org . But the perfect done temp for grilled pork chops is something that a lot of chefs and home cooks debate!
Thankfully, now they've lowered the "safe" recommended internal temperature to 145°F. If you pull the pork right when you see that temp, you should have delicious, juicy pork chops. 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. 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.
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. Thicker pork chops take longer to cook. Two-zone grilling gives you the versatility to cook for longer periods without overcooking the meat. 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.
A 2-inch pork chop may seem daunting because of its thickness, but grilling it is simple, and the added thickness keeps the chop from drying out. Marinate it first if you like, or simply season it with salt, pepper, garlic or a rub made for pork chops. In fact, it will taste better if you remove it from the grill when it is still slightly pink.
When in doubt, use a meat thermometer. The meat is done when the thermometer reads 145 F. You will need six bone-in pork chops about 1 inch thick and a bottle of your favorite marinade.
Place your pork chops in a resealable plastic bag and pour in the bottle of marinade. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Turn the bag several times and carefully work the sauce around the chops. Be gentle so the bones do not puncture the plastic bag. Place in the refrigerator for two to four hours. Remove the pork chops from the bag and throw away the bag.
Grill over direct medium heat for about eight to 10 minutes. Turn the meat at least once halfway through the cooking. Remove the pork chops once the temperature reaches at least 150 degree and let the meat rest for three to five minutes before serving. 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 juicy;pork chop;with some;pink;in the middlehas been given the official "okay" by the USDA. 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.
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. If you've ever made grilled pork chops and had them turn out dry and tough, you're not alone. 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. Reduce the burners to medium, close the lid, and cook for about another 15 minutes more. Actual cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill and the thickness of your pork chop.
Pork needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. 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. Grilling perfect juicy pork chops on your gas grill in under 30 minutes is simple. Use boneless or bone-in chops, do an optional brine if you have time, and season to your taste, and you will have an easy healthy dinner for the whole family.
Trim any excess fat, then cook hot and fast. A good pork chop can be treated much like a good steak. After pre-heating the grill for 10 minutes, clean and oil the grill grate.
Prepare a grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Add the pork chops, close the lid and cook 5-6 minutes. Flip, close the lid and cook to an internal temperature of 145°F, another 5-6 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. 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.
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. Great recipe and will brine next time. 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. 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. Don't own a grill or it's pouring rain outside?
No worries, these grilled pork chops can also be cooked in a grill pan on the stove top over medium heat with a little vegetable oil or olive oil. 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. 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 . 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. For medium-thick pork chops (3/4 to 1 inch), I cook with direct heat.
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. Place pork chops on hot grates, close grill lid, and cook for 2 minutes without peeking. With a tongs, flip pork chops over and cook second side for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes longer, until a medium internal temperature of 145° F is reached. Use a digital thermometer for a quick temperature reading.
Remove pork chops from grill and let rest for 3 minutes to seal in juices and natural flavor. A juicypork chop with some pinkin the middle has finally been given the official "okay" by the USDA. 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. A juicypork chop with some pinkin the middle has been given the official "okay" by the USDA. Learn how to grill pork chops on a gas grill. You'll make juicy grilled pork chops in minutes…just a few simple steps needed.
This post will cover everything you need to know for pork chops on the grill. 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. This cut is also known as bone-in ribeye chop, or rib end cut. Because it is cut from the lower loin, this is one of the best pork chops money can buy.
The best pork chops are center-cut loin chops or center-cut rib chops that are about one inch thick. Whether you go with a loin chop or a rib chop, you'll have tastier results with any bone-in pork chops. Not only does the bone contribute flavor, it also helps the pork chop stay nice and juicy. Grill time for bone-in pork chops will vary depending on thickness, so it's better to asses by temperature than time. 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.