Ultimate Grilled Pork Chops

Name: Ultimate Grilled Pork Chops
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 1/4 cup kosher salt; 1/4 cup sugar; 2 cups water; 2 cups ice water; 4 center-cut pork rib chops (1 inch thick and 8 ounces each); 2 tablespoons canola oil; BASIC RUB:; 3 tablespoons paprika; 1 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin and ground mustard; 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper

A little brining and a special dry rub go a long way to making the perfect pork chop. Once you've mastered the techniques, you'll be enjoying them all summer long. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

Ingredients

1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups water
2 cups ice water
4 center-cut pork rib chops (1 inch thick and 8 ounces each)
2 tablespoons canola oil
BASIC RUB:
3 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin and ground mustard
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine salt, sugar and 2 cups water; cook and stir over medium heat until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat. Add 2 cups ice water to cool brine to room temperature.
Place pork chops in a large resealable plastic bag; add cooled brine. Seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible; turn to coat chops. Place in a 13x9-in. baking dish. Refrigerate 8-12 hours.
Remove chops from brine; rinse and pat dry. Discard brine. Brush both sides of chops with oil. In a small bowl, mix rub ingredients; rub over pork chops. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
Grill chops on an oiled rack, covered, over medium heat 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 145&deg. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

For Smoky Pork Rub: Prepare rub as directed, using smoked paprika in place of regular paprika. For Spicy Pork Rub: Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to rub mixture. For Sweet Pork Rub: Add 3 tablespoons brown sugar to rub mixture.

Nutrition Facts

1 pork chop: 300 calories, 18g fat (4g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein.

Originally published as Ultimate Grilled Pork Chop in Taste of Home June/July 2015

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Kris Hodges

Sep 30, 2018

This recipe yields very tender, delicious pork chops. I've made it a couple of times and am always pleased with the results. You really should try these for a very yummy pork chop.
marcibanes

Jun 21, 2018

This recipe has alot of flavor. I do not barbque often and I'm always looking for new recipe's to try. One thing that I did, which was dumb, is after I had let it sit in the brine I added salt in the rub. So, now I know not to do that. I will definitely make it again but with NO salt in the rub.
wintermom9597

May 14, 2018

Delicious, tender, juicy chops. Used brown sugar in the rub and everyone loved them.
Tanya

Apr 18, 2018

These are the most deliciously moist pork chops I've ever eaten! I'll be making these again for sure!
Lisa

Feb 27, 2018

Brined as directed but only for 15 minutes as I was short on time . The meat was still juicy and tender! And seasoned inside out. The spice rub was really good although I didn’t use chipotle. Everything else though and they were delicious. My husband usually makes the grilled chops now he wants mine! I grilled 4 min on each side. Used a meat thermometer to be sure it reached 145 degrees. Perfect! Making again today adding brown sugar to see how that tastes! Can’t wait! Make this you won’t be disappointed!
ladams1221

Feb 11, 2018

Excellent recipe. I cut 1" chops from a pork loin roast, made two slits in the fat on the side of each one, and followed the recipe exactly, using a cast iron skillet. I made pork chop gravy in the skillet once the chops were resting on a plate, tented with foil: Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan drippings, over medium heat, and once melted, add 2 tablespoons of flour, stirring & cooking it for 2 minutes. Pour in 2 cups milk (I used 1%) and the drippings from the plate of chops, & stir with a whisk until lumps dissappear. Keep stirring until thickened to gravy consistency, and serve over pork chops & mashed potatoes or baked sweet potatoes. (I microwaved pierced sweet potatoes on high for 10 minutes, then baked in the 400 degree F oven on a rack over a baking sheet, while I prepared, roasted & rested the chops, about 30-40 minutes, total.)
scooby65

Sep 25, 2017

Fabulous Pork Chops! Prepared as directed using smoked paprika and brown sugar in the rub. These by far were the most moist pork chops my husband has ever grilled. We will be making these often!
tampagram

Aug 12, 2017

Made this for dinner tonight, & only fixed 2 large pork chops, about 1" thick. It was fantastic! Brined according to recipe - didn't change a thing or reduce amounts of anything. After 9 hours used basic rub, cutting ingred's in half (for 2 chops). I used smoked paprika (only kind I had) & 2 tbsp brown sugar in the rub. My husband said best pork ever! He grilled them about 7 min on hi covered on our weber grill. We will definitely make them again!JUICY & TASTY
hendia1

Jul 9, 2017

Loved this recipe. I have tried others for grilling pork chops but this is the recipe I will save and use again.
Rae

May 21, 2017

This is now my go to recipe for pork chops. I followed the directions exactly and they are the tastiest, moistest pork chops I've ever had. I've made them several times and they have been delicious every time. Everyone inhales them.