Julie Clark
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Grilled Pork Chops
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Learn how to make grilled pork chops with a simple spice rub. This easy healthy dinner recipe is on the table in 30 minutes.
I’ve always loved baked pork chops, but pork has quickly become one of my favorite cuts of meat to grill. It’s so versatile and you can often find it on sale in the store, making it a very economical choice for quick dinners.
These grilled pork chops make an easy dinner that you can have ready in about 30 minutes. Just enough time to make a few veggies to go along with your pork chops.
About the Best Grilled Pork Chops Recipe:
- Flavor: The grilled chops have a common bbq pork flavor: paprika, peppers, onion & garlic. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less pepper.
- Texture: If you’re used to dry, chewy pork chops, that means you’re overcooking them. Cooked to the correct temperature, these pork chops are juicy and tender.
- Method: Searing the pork chops on the hottest part of the grill, the moving them to a lower heat ensures that the pork chops will be tender and juicy.
Are pork chops healthy?
Yes! We love a simple grilled meat with a load of fresh asparagus or other veggies. It’s a healthy, low-carb dinner that lines up with paleo, keto and Whole30 meal plans.
What is the best pork chop cut for grilling?
Center Cut Loin Chops (bone in or boneless) are great for grilling. All these need are a little bit of seasoning and you’re ready for a delicious dinner. You can use bone-in pork chops if you’d like, but we prefer boneless pork chops.
Choose chops that are at least 1″ thick so that they don’t cook too quickly.
What is a good seasoning for pork chops?
We went on the spicy side with this recipe and used paprika, 3 types of pepper, garlic salt and onion powder. It’s a simple dry rub spice mix and you can adjust the heat level to your liking by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
How to Grill Pork Chops
- To make the best grilled pork chops, start with thickly sliced chops. If you can’t find them in the meat case, go to the meat counter and ask the butcher to cut you some thick chops…or buy a pork loin and slice them yourself. This is often cheaper.
- Bring the pork chops to room temperature before grilling. Taking them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before grilling should do the trick.
- Preheat the grill to 350ºF before you place the chops on it.
- Brush the pork chops with olive oil on both sides before grilling. Or you can spray them with olive oil cooking spray.
- Season the chops. Load them up with this easy 6 ingredient spice rub.
- Sear the chops. Place chops on the center of the grill and allow to cook 2 minutes, flip, and cook 2 more minutes.
- Move to lower heat. Move the pork chops a little further away from the center and cook for 8 minutes on one side with grill lid closed. Flip the pork chops, then cook 8 minutes on the other side with lid closed. The pork chops are done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. (There will be a blush of pink inside, but they will be tender and juicy.)
- Allow the pork chops to rest. Remove pork chops from grill, place them on a plate and cover with foil for 5 minutes before serving. Covering with foil continues the cooking process and really seals in the juices and flavors.
Pork Chop Temperatures
For tender, juicy pork chops you want to look at the temperature of the meat more than the time. Pork can be cooked to medium-rare, which is 145-150 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s OK if there is a blush of pink in there.
Medium is 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit. Medium-Well is 155-160 degrees Fahrenheit and I wouldn’t recommend going over that. Pork chops cooked to 145-150ºF are amazing. You’ll fall in love with pork all over again.
The Best instant read Thermometer
We LOVE our Thermoworks ThermaPen to quickly test meat temperatures. This probe thermometer is AMAZING. Get it here.
What to serve with pork chops?
These grilled pork chops are a classic. And because of that, you’ll need some classic, picnic side dishes! Try our homemade potato salad, coleslaw, roasted corn on the cob, loaded baked beans or Instant Pot baked beans. You can also try a watermelon salad and some strawberry punch. Delicious!
Learn How To Cook Thin Pork Chops!
Grilled Pork Chops
Learn how to make grilled pork chops with a simple spice rub. This easy healthy dinner recipe is on the table in 30 minutes.
Servings 4
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 thickly sliced boneless pork loin chops (1 – 1 1/2" thick)
- olive oil cooking spray (or a few tablespoons of olive oil to brush on)
Seasoning Mix:
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat grill to 350ºF.
- Wash and pat dry the pork chops. Take the olive oil based cooking spray and spray both sides of the pork. (This is a trick I like to use to keep the flavors and juices rocking with my grilled chicken and pork.)
- In a small bowl, mix together the seasoning mix.
- Take the seasoning mix and cover both sides of the pork chops.
- Place chops on the center (or where it is the hottest) of the grill and allow to cook 2 minutes, flip, and cook 2 more minutes.
- Move the pork chops to the side of the grill (over indirect heat) and cook for 8 minutes on one side with grill lid closed. Flip the pork chops, then cook 8 minutes on the other side with lid closed. The pork chops are done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. (There will be a blush of pink inside, but they will be tender and juicy!)
- Remove pork chops from grill, place them on a plate and cover with foil for 5 minutes before serving. (Covering with foil continues the cooking process and really seals in the juices and flavors.)
- Serve with your favorite side dishes.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Video
Notes
*You shouldn’t need to grease the grill grates first if they are to temperature.
*If you don’t have garlic salt, use garlic powder and salt to equal 1 teaspoon.
*Add a teaspoon or two of brown sugar if you like your spice rub to have a little sweet taste. The sugar will caramelize on the grill and be delicious.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 4, with 1 serving being 1 seasoned pork chop. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**
Nutrition
Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 647mg | Potassium: 551mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 921IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good marinade for pork chops?
If you’re looking for a good marinade for pork chops, try our honey oregano pork chops or our basil lemon chops. They both get rave reviews.
What temperature do you cook pork chops on the grill?
We cooked ours at 350 degrees Fahrenheit but you can go to 400 degrees Fahrenheit if you’d like.
Can I make these indoors instead?
Yes. Rather than a gas grill or charcoal grill, use a grill pan on the stovetop on medium-high heat to get the pretty grill marks.
Should pork chops be seared before grilling?
Yes, and that is the method I use in this recipe. Searing enhances the flavor by forming a little bit of a crust on the outside of the meat. This is the best grilling technique for pork chops.
Other Pork Recipes
Love pork as much as we do? Try one of these recipes:
Love pork chops? Read our guide to pork chops here. You’ll find all of our fantastic chops recipes!
