Fire up the grill—these Grilled Marinated Pork Chops are designed to be tender, juicy, and full of flavor. They make an easy weeknight meal and scale up nicely for a backyard barbecue. With a simple marinade and a short cook time, you’ll have delicious pork chops every time.
Grilled Marinated Pork Chops
Pork chops have a reputation for drying out when overcooked. Modern cooking and the right marinade change that: cook pork chops to the correct internal temperature (135–145°F, aiming to remove at 135–140°F and allow carryover heat to finish them) and let the meat rest, and you’ll enjoy juicy, flavorful chops instead of dry, tough meat.
This recipe is forgiving and fast. The marinade helps keep the pork tender and adds bright, savory notes. You can marinate chops from thawed or from just-removed-from-freezer (allow time for the marinade to penetrate), refrigerate them overnight for best flavor, and then grill to finish in about 20–30 minutes total.
Recipe Shopping List
Here’s a quick list of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact quantities, see the recipe card below.
- Olive oil
- Lemons (or lemon juice)
- Garlic
- Fresh thyme
- Honey
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Apple cider vinegar
- Fresh parsley
- Center-cut pork chops (or your preferred cut)
- Additional salt & pepper for seasoning
How To Make This Recipe
Below is a concise overview of the process. Refer to the recipe card further down for ingredient amounts and the exact timing.
- Marinate — Combine the marinade ingredients and submerge the pork chops. Chill for at least 4 hours; overnight yields the best flavor.
- Preheat — Prepare the grill and bring it to medium heat, about 350°F.
- Grill — Discard excess marinade, pat the chops dry, and season with salt and pepper. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 135–140°F.
- Rest — Tent the cooked chops with foil and let them rest 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and temperature to rise slightly.
- Serve — Slice and serve alongside your favorite sides.
Recipe FAQ
What kind of pork chops work best with this recipe?
Most pork chop cuts work well with this marinade: center-cut loin chops, rib chops, boneless chops, and blade or sirloin chops all accept this flavor profile. Choose your preferred cut or what’s on sale.
Can you cook these on a gas or charcoal grill?
Yes. Gas, charcoal, pellet grills, cast-iron skillets, or even the oven will work. Use an accurate thermometer and avoid overcooking.
How should leftovers be stored and reheated?
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of oil or broth just until warmed through to avoid drying the meat further. Leftover chops also work well chopped into salads, stir-fry, or sandwiches.
Serve This With
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Smoked or Baked Potatoes
- Grilled Vegetables
- Homemade Caesar Salad
- Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash
More Recipes
- Smoked Brat Burgers
- Traeger Stuffed Pork Chops
- Traeger Carnitas Taquitos
- Verde Pork Steaks
- Grilled Rack of Pork
- Traeger Pork Belly Twists
- Smoked Chile Verde
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- Traeger 3-2-1 Ribs
- Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Bites
Recipe Card
Yield: 6 servings | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 batch Pork Chop Marinade (olive oil, lemon, garlic, thyme, honey, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, parsley)
- 6 center-cut pork chops
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the marinade ingredients. Submerge pork chops in the marinade and refrigerate at least 4 hours; overnight is best for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the grill to around 350°F. Clean and oil the grates.
- Remove chops from the marinade, discard excess liquid, and pat chops dry. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- Grill chops about 5 minutes per side, adjusting time for thickness. Aim to remove from the grill at 135–140°F internal temperature.
- Tent the chops with foil and let rest for 10 minutes before serving so the temperature evens out and juices redistribute.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 329 | Total Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Unsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 439mg | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 40g
Nutrition data is an estimate.