Simple Pork Chop Marinade

What an easy meal: Marinated pork chops, ready to eat after only 10 minutes on the grill! The secret to getting a tender texture and lots of flavor is a simple pork chop that’s marinade loaded with flavorful ingredients like garlic and soy sauce.

Marinate bone-in pork chops in this sauce overnight, and grill them up the next day. Treat your family to this top pork chop recipe for dinner, or make them the star of your next weekend cookout.

Ingredients for Marinated Pork Chops

• Pork chops: Bone-in pork loin chops (also called “center-cut chops”) are a fantastic option for easy pork chop recipes. This cut of pork comes from the pork loin, a juicy, flavorful muscle that runs from the hip to the shoulder. Look for 1-inch-thick pork chops that weigh around 8 ounces apiece.
• Brown sugar: This ingredient adds sweetness to the pork chop marinade recipe and gives the grilled meat its color. The sugar caramelizes as the meat grills, creating a lightly browned surface.
• Soy sauce: This dark sauce is full of umami flavor, making the pork chops incredibly flavorful. Soy sauce is salty, too, which helps tenderize the meat. You can also use a low-sodium soy sauce. (These are the best soy sauce brands according to our Test Kitchen.)
• Garlic: While jarred, pre-minced garlic works in a pinch, freshly minced garlic has a better flavor.
• Pepper: This recipe calls for a little ground black pepper in the marinade, although you can always add a little more if you like!

Directions

Step 1: Mix the pork marinade

In a bowl or shallow dish, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic and pepper.

Editor’s Tip: Use a dish that’s large enough to hold the pork chops.

Step 2: Coat the pork chops

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Add the pork chops to the marinade, and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for eight hours or overnight.

Step 3: Grill the pork chops

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Preheat the grill to medium heat. Drain the pork chops, discarding the marinade.

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Grill the chops on a greased grill rack, covered, for four to five minutes on each side or until the meat reaches the desired doneness. A thermometer inserted into the center of the chops should read 145°F for medium-rare or 160° for medium. Let the meat stand for five minutes before serving.

Editor’s Note: If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the pork chops under a broiler. Broil the pork chops 4 to 5 inches from the heat.

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Recipe Variations

• Boneless marinated chops: Instead of bone-in chops, make this recipe with thick-cut boneless pork loin chops. They can be marinated and grilled as directed in the recipe.
• Spicy pork chops: Add a spicy ingredient to the marinade, like crushed red pepper flakes, chili paste or spicy chili crisp.
• Teriyaki marinated pork chops: Create teriyaki-inspired flavor by adding essential Japanese ingredients to the grilled pork chops marinade, like rice vinegar, sesame oil and grated fresh ginger.

How to Store Marinated Pork Chops

Let the grilled pork chops cool slightly, then transfer them to a tightly sealed container. Store leftover pork chops in the refrigerator for up to three days. To freeze the cooked pork chops, wrap them individually in foil or freezer paper, then place them inside a freezer-proof container or resealable bag. Freeze for up to three months.

The best way to thaw pork chops is in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat them gently over medium-low heat in a covered skillet or a covered dish in a 350° oven.

Can you make the marinade for pork chops ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this pork chop marinade up to a week ahead of time. Store the marinade in a covered dish in the refrigerator. The pork chops can be added to the marinade eight hours before you’re ready to grill them, but don’t leave the chops in the marinade longer than this. The acidic ingredients in the sauce tenderize the meat, but lean cuts of pork will become mushy if left to marinate for too long.

Marinated Pork Chops Tips

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What’s the best way to tenderize pork chops?

Use a marinade with a blend of acidic and flavoring ingredients to tenderize pork chops. They’ll have a perfect texture when you grill them the next day! A good marinade contains an acidic ingredient, like the soy sauce used in this grilled pork chop marinade. It helps break down the meat’s muscle fibers and infuses the pork chops with lots of flavor.

How do you keep pork chops from drying out on the grill?

Pork chops cook quickly and can become dry and tough if they’re overcooked. Use a meat thermometer to ensure you cook the pork chops for just the right amount of time. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the pork chop and keep the tip away from the bone. Once the internal temperature reaches 145°, pull the pork chops off the heat, and let them rest.

Can you marinate pork for too long?

Pork can get mushy if it marinates too long. If your pork marinade for grilling contains acidic ingredients like soy sauce or lemon juice, the pork chops can break down too much if left to marinade for over eight hours. Our complete guide to marinades has more helpful tips.

What can you serve with marinated pork chops?

There are several tasty options for side dishes to serve with this grilled pork chop recipe. For a cozy meal, add a side of mashed red potatoes, buttermilk biscuits or southern collard greens. Or pair the pork chops with popular cookout sides like grilled loaded potato rounds, macaroni coleslaw or veggie skewers like grilled Brussels sprouts.