Main menu

Pages

Grilled Pork Chops - Dinner at the Zoo

These grilled pork chops are soaked in a flavorful marinade, then cooked to golden brown perfection. A quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for any BBQ or summer gathering!

In my opinion, pork chops are an underrated cut of meat. They’re inexpensive, juicy and packed full of flavor. Some of my favorite pork chop recipes include mushroom pork chops, brown sugar pork chops, and these simple yet satisfying grilled pork chops.

Grilled pork chops coated in marinade then cooked and garnished with parsley.

I do a lot of grilling when the weather warms up, and I have to say, one of my favorite things to cook is these grilled pork chops. They’re packed full of flavor and pair perfectly with a variety of side dishes. These pork chops can also be broiled or pan seared in cold weather months.

As long as you are grilling, you might as well cook up some delicious side dishes like grilled mushrooms, grilled vegetables and grilled potatoes in foil. Add that hot, smokey goodness to your whole meal with these easy recipes!

Grilled Pork Chop Ingredients

To make these pork chops you will need pork chops, olive oil, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, lemon zest, parsley leaves, thyme leaves, garlic, salt and black pepper.

Pork chops in a bowl of marinade.

How Do You Make Grilled Pork Chops?

To grill pork chops, first make a marinade by whisking together olive oil, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, lemon zest, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic in a large bowl. Place your pork chops in the bowl and let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Preheat a grill to medium heat. Place the pork on the grill and listen for that satisfying sizzle. Grill the chops until golden brown and cooked through. Add a sprinkle of parsley and you’ll be ready to eat!

Pork chops on a grill pan.

Tips For The Perfect Grilled Pork Chops

  • You can use bone in or boneless pork chops. I prefer bone-in pork chops as they’re less likely to dry out on the grill.
  • You can make the marinade up to 3 days in advance. Store the marinade in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
  • This marinade contains sugar which adds great flavor, but can burn on the grill. Make sure your grill is not too hot before you add your meat!
  • You can use a charcoal grill, gas grill or a grill pan for this recipe.
  • Heat the grill before placing the pork on it so that the grate leaves nice grill marks on both sides of the pork chops.
  • The best way to gauge whether your pork is done is to use a meat thermometer. You can use an instant read thermometer or a probe thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat for the most accurate reading. Make sure the thermometer doesn’t touch the bone.

Quick Tip

Use a meat thermometer to make sure your pork cooks to 145 degrees F for juicy, tender chops.

Grilled pork chops with a cut chop on top of the stack.

Recipe FAQs

What temperature should pork be cooked to?

Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. This temperature will make sure the meat is safe to eat while keeping the pork moist and tender and it will not dry out.

How long do you marinate pork chops?

Marinate pork chops for at least an hour before putting them on the grill. If you have time, marinate the pork chops for up to 8 hours for the best pork chops.

How long should pork chops cook on the grill?

Pork chops should cook about 6-8 minutes on each side. The meat should reach 145 degrees F in the thickest part.

How long will leftover pork chops stay good.

Pork chop leftovers will stay good in an airtight container in a refrigerator for three days.

What is the secret to making tender pork chops?

The secret to tender pork chops is using bone-in pork chops and cooking the meat to 145 degrees F. Also, when you take the meat off the grill let it rest for 5 minutes so the juices stay in the meat.

A grilled pork chop served over couscous with bell peppers on the side.

Grilled Pork Chop Variations

While this recipe is delicious as-is, you can add other ingredients to customize it to your tastes.

  • Spicy: You can add crushed red pepper flakes to this marinade. I typically add 1/4 teaspoon, but you can add more than that if you like.
  • Asian: Try a blend of olive oil, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and garlic for the marinade.
  • Mexican: You can marinate the chops in a blend of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, chili powder and onion powder. Add a sprinkle of cilantro before serving for maximum flavor.
  • Flavorings: You can make a sweeter pork chop by adding a tablespoon of honey to the marinade. You can make a more savory chop by adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika and a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the marinade.

I make these pork chops year round, they’re just that good. I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine does!

More Great Pork Recipes

Love This Recipe

Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

These grilled pork chops are soaked in a flavorful marinade, then cooked to golden brown perfection. A quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for any BBQ or summer gathering!

  • Place the pork chops in a bowl or resealable gallon sized bag.

  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the olive oil, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, lemon zest, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic.

  • Pour the marinade over the meat. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.

  • Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium heat.

  • Place the pork on the grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop registers 145 degrees F.

  • Let the meat rest for 5 minutes, then serve. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired.

  1. You can use bone in or boneless pork chops. I prefer bone-in pork chops as they’re less likely to dry out on the grill.
  2. This marinade contains sugar which adds great flavor, but can burn on the grill. Make sure your grill is not too hot before you add your meat!
  3. Heat the grill before placing the pork on it so that the grate leaves nice grill marks on both sides of the pork chops.
  4. Use a meat thermometer to make sure your pork cooks to 145 degrees F for juicy, tender chops.

Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 757mg | Potassium: 582mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 2.7mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1.8mg

table of contents title