Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops

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Basil Lemon Pork Chops Marinade is an easy, 4-ingredient marinade recipe that makes the most tender Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops. Throw ingredients together in under 5 minutes, marinate, and grill! A Paleo, Whole30, and gluten free, this is one of the BEST pork chop recipes for the family. PLUS, tips for making the best grilled pork chops!

plate of grilled basil lemon pork chops made with a 4-ingredient marinade

Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops

Have I got a treat for you today! And not even one treat, but twoFirst of all, do you love easy marinade recipes? The recipe I’m sharing today that you see on these juicy lemon pork chops is a quick 4-ingredient marinade.

Easy Pork Marinade

What’s in this 4 ingredient meat marinade?

That’s it. Really.

platter of marinated grilled pork chops

How to Marinate Pork Chops for Grilling

Put this all in a zippered plastic bag along with top loin chops (also known as New York pork chops), let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, then grill away!

My family went crazy for these simple basil lemon pork chops. The olive oil and lemon juice combination lends to the most tender grilled pork chops I’ve ever had. I’ll be more than happy to make them for my pork lovin’ family several times throughout the summer because they are so easy.

After all, the summer is for grillin’.

boneless pork chops in a zip top plastic bag with a 4 ingredient lemon basil marinade

Does gas or charcoal grill make food taste better?

Both gas and charcoal grills have their benefits: charcoal adds a nice, smoky flavor, and gas is very convenient to use. But the truth is you can’t go wrong if you’re grilling, especially if you’re grilling mouthwatering, tender-licious pork!

How do grills give meat a smoky flavor?

If you don’t have the fortune of owning a sensational smoker, then I recommend using the following techniques: you can season your meats with smoky flavor spices such as smoked paprika or smoked pepper or you can add liquid smoke to a marinade. But be careful; a little bit goes a long way.

What grilling temperature is best for pork?

One forty-five is where pork thrives! If you’re looking to cook your pork chops, loin roasts and tenderloins medium rare, then you want an internal temperature between 145°F (medium rare) and 160°F (medium). Ground pork (like all ground meats) should be cooked to a 160°F. And although it’s extremely difficult, you really need to fight the urge to stuff pork into your mouth right after it comes off the grill. It should really get a three-minute rest to let all the juices settle. Juicy things come to those who wait. 

What are the best cuts of pork for grilling?

All of them. I’m just joking around. I love to grill back ribs, bacon, pork belly, blade steaks, chops, country-style ribs, crown roast, ham, ground pork, loin roasts, sausages, pork shoulder, spareribs, including St. Louis-style ribs, back ribs and tenderloin. Oh wait; did I just name most of the cuts? Sorry about that! The truth is, when it comes to grilling pork, you can’t go wrong. Go whole hog!

How do you know when pork is cooked through?

The most reliable and effective way is the classic – use a digital meat thermometer. Push it into the thickest part of the cut and if it reads 145°F, you’re taste buds will soon be in pork-alicious bliss. The meat should be a blush pink color.

grilled pork chop cut in half on a plate so the juicy center is showing

Other Pork Chop Recipes

juicy grilled pork chops on a serving plate
juicy grilled pork chops on a serving plate

Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops

4.75 from 4 votes
An easy, 4-ingredient marinade makes for the most tender Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops. Throw ingredients together in under 5 minutes, marinate, and grill! 
Servings 6
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes

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Ingredients
 

  • 6 New York pork chops
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil

Instructions
 

  • Place the pork chops in a gallon-sized zippered plastic bag. Add the juice, garlic, oil and basil. Zip the bag closed, then turn the bag several times to be sure the pork is all coated.
  • Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to marinate.
  • Heat a grill to 400 degrees.
  • Place the pork chops on the grill, close the lid and let pork chops cook for 5 minutes. Turn the pork chops once and allow them to cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the center of the pork chops reach a temperature of between 145 degrees (medium rare) and 160 degrees (medium).
  • Remove the pork from the grill and allow it to sit for 3 minutes.
  • Then serve and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal | Protein: 28g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 499mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.7mg
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Calories 207
Keyword basil, grilling, lemon, marinade, summer
About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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2pots2cook
5 years ago

5 stars
You ladies really make good stuff !

Carol A Gibson
22 days ago

Sounds really good, but I don’t have a grill so can I bake them?

Diane
4 months ago

Live in a condo and have no grill. Any other way to cook the chops to still taste great

Jenna @ A Savory Feast
7 years ago

This sounds so good! I used to hate pork of all kinds, but a couple years ago my husband won me over to it. It’s something I rarely cook, though, because I don’t have a lot of recipes for it. This is one I’ve got to try! Maybe it will be worth adding to the regular rotation!

Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
7 years ago

These look amazing! The grill is the best summertime tool!

Kristen
7 years ago

This marinade sounds so amazing–love the lemon! And I am with the Grill–charcoal is best!