Grilled Pork Chops

Published June 17, 2019. Updated April 14, 2020

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The best Grilled Pork Chops recipe! These come out tender and juicy, and the ingredients in the marinade and dry rub are the perfect compliment to pork. A new staple summer recipe!

Overhead close up image of two pork chops on a grill.

Grilled Pork Chops Recipe

Everyone who tries these grilled pork chops loves them, including picky eaters. Even the kids will polish these off. They’re amazingly flavorful and super easy to make! Plus they’re inexpensive since we use the thinner cuts.

It’s just a bit of whisking and being sure to allow time to soak up the pork chop marinade, then a brief cook time on the grill (with these thinner cuts).

You could even make the grilled pork chop marinade the night before then add the chops the next day and let them soak while you’re at work.

Keep in mind this grilled pork chop marinade not only adds a a lightly sweet and tangy flavor, but it’s also salty so it will help keep the pork chops juicy and helps tenderize them. Allow enough time to marinate (at least 2 hours), don’t skip it.

Showing serving suggestions sides to pair with grilled pork chops. Plate with pork chops, mashed potatoes and Brussesls sprouts.

Grilled Pork Chops Ingredients

These grilled pork chops are packed with flavor thanks to the pork chop marinade and the pork chop seasoning used in this recipe.

To make both the pork chop seasoning and marinade, you’ll need:

  • Bone-in pork chops (about 1/2-inch thick) 
  • Apple juice
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Honey
  • Kosher salt
  • Dijon mustard
  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Pepper
  • Onion powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Cayenne pepper

Grilled Pork Chop ingredients

How to Make Pork Chop Marinade and Dry Rub

  • To a mixing bowl, add apple juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon and kosher salt, whisk well.

Pork chops in marinade in a resealable bag

  • Place pork chops in a gallon size resealable bag, pour apple juice mixture over pork chops. Seal bag while pressing out excess air.
  • Transfer to refrigerator and let marinate 2 – 4 hours (if possible turn and rotate bag halfway through marinating).

pork chop seasoning in white bowl next to whisk

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together cumin, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
  • Remove pork chops from marinade and dab both sides dry with paper towels. Sprinkle pork chop seasoning evenly over both sides.

seven pork chops on a cutting board with dry rub

How to Grill Pork Chops

  • Preheat grill over medium heat (about 375 degrees F). Clean grill grates and brush with vegetable oil (using tongs and an oiled paper towel).
  • Cook pork chops on grill until center registers 145 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

How Long to Cook Pork Chops on Grill

For this recipe with 1/2-inch thick pork chops, grill them about 3 minutes per side over medium heat. If using thicker pork chops, it will take about 5 – 6 minutes per side.

pork chops on a grill shown after finished cooking

Can I Use Thick Cut Pork Chops?

Yes, you can also use 1-inch thick pork chops for this grilled pork chop recipe. Keep in mind that grilling thick pork chops requires more time. You’ll have to grill longer as previously mentioned, and reduce heat as needed if they start to char more than desired.

What About Boneless Pork Chops?

Boneless chops will work as well, but preferably for more flavor use bone-in.

Close up image of pork chop on grill.

How Long to Marinate Pork Chops

The longest you’ll want to marinate the pork chops is 8 hours so the meat doesn’t start to break down and end up mushy. Keep in mind though the longer meat marinates the more sodium it will absorb so you may want to reduce salt slightly if you like less salty food.

Can I Cook Pork Chops on the Stove Top?

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.

Grilled pork chops on a white oval platter.

What to Serve with Pork Chops

Not sure what to serve alongside your grilled pork chops? Here are some of my favorite sides for pork chops:

Grilled pork chops on a white oval platter.

Tips for Making Grilled Pork Chops

  • Bone-in pork chops have the most flavor, which is why I recommend using them instead of boneless.
  • If using regular table salt instead of kosher salt, scale back the amount of salt you add to this recipe.
  • If you don’t have apple juice on hand, white grape juice should work as well.

More Tasty Pork Recipes to Try!

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Close up image of pork chop on grill.
5 from 2 votes

Grilled Pork Chops

Easy and flavorful Grilled Pork Chops with the best marinade and dry rub! These come out tender and juicy and the seasoning will leave you craving more! It's the perfect summer recipe.
Servings: 6 -7
Prep10 minutes
Cook6 minutes
Marinating2 hours
Ready in: 2 hours 16 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 - 7 (1/2-inch inch thick) bone-in pork chops (about 8 oz each)

Pork Chop Marinade

Pork Chop Dry Rub

Instructions

For the marinade

  • To a mixing bowl add apple juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon and kosher salt, whisk well.
  • Place pork chops in a gallon size resealable bag, pour apple juice mixture over pork chops. Seal bag while pressing out excess air, rub marinade over pork. Transfer to refrigerator and let marinate 2 - 4 hours (if possible turn bag halfway through marinating to move marinade around).
  • Preheat a grill over medium heat (about 375 degrees). Clean grill grates and brush with vegetable or olive oil (using tongs and an oiled paper towel).

For the dry rub

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together cumin, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
  • Remove pork chops from marinade and dab both sides dry with paper towels. Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over both sides of pork chops.

To grill pork chops

  • Cook on grill until center registers 145 degrees on an instant read thermometer, about 3 minutes per side. Let rest off heat 3 - 5 minutes before serving for juices to redistribute before slicing.

Notes

  • If you don't have a grill you can also cook these in a grill pan on the stove.
  • Bone-in pork chops have the most flavor, which is why I recommend using them instead of boneless. 
  • If you don't have apple juice on hand, white grape juice should work as well.
Nutrition Facts
Grilled Pork Chops
Amount Per Serving
Calories 355 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 137mg46%
Sodium 505mg22%
Potassium 693mg20%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 41g82%
Vitamin A 170IU3%
Calcium 41mg4%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.