Grilled Pork Chops
Grilled Pork Chops are a quick and easy dinner for busy weeknights. These thick cut pork chops are seasoned with a simple brown sugar rub and turn out tender and juicy.
Quick Weeknight Dinners are a must have for busy families and it’s really easy to get stuck in a dinner rut having the same recipes over and over again. These pork chops are full of delicious flavor and are sure to please the whole family.
Deciding what to cook for dinner can be challenging. Pork chops are always a great option and we like to serve them with garlic mashed potatoes and Mexican Street Corn or Garlic Asparagus.
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless Pork Chops ~ Thick cut.
- Olive Oil
- Brown Sugar
- Granulated Garlic
- Black Pepper
- Kosher Salt
- Chili Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Dried Thyme
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Step By Step Directions
STEP 1 Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
STEP 2 Brush both sides with olive oil.
STEP 3 Mix the dry rub by combining brown sugar, garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika and thyme.
STEP 4 Sprinkle over the pork chops, about 1 tablespoon per pork chop, coating all sides.
STEP 5 Cook pork chops over a hot grill fire with the grill closed for 5 minutes.
STEP 6 Turn pork chops and continue to cook until pork chops reach 145° using a digital meat thermometer.
STEP 7 Total cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops. Check at 5 minutes after flipping.
STEP 8 Remove from grill and rest 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
Stovetop Method: Heat a grill pan or heavy skillet, coat with olive oil. Add the pork chops and cook 5 minutes, turn and continue to cook until internal temperature reaches 145° with a digital thermometer.
Oven Method: Bake pork chops on a rimmed baking sheet at 375° for 12- 15 minutes or until pork chops reach 145°.
Storage: Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container or zip top bag in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
Reheat: Slice pork chops and cook in a skillet coated in olive oil over medium heat, stirring until heated through.
Tips for Tender and Juicy Pork Chops
- The best way to cook juicy pork chops is to not over cook them. A digital meat thermometer is key to perfectly cooked meat.
- 145° is considered cooked through for pork.
- Allow the pork chops to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing so that the juices don’t run out.
- Thick cut pork chops are easier to keep juicy than thin sliced pork chops. Cooking time will be much less for a thinner chops.
Budget Tip
- Pork chops are on our menu quite often. We like to buy a whole pork loin and slice it up into thick cut pork chops. We usually get about 16- 20 pork chops per center cut loin.
- We vacuum seal them and freeze them in packs of four so they are easy to store and thaw.
More Delicious Pork Chops to Try
Italian Pork Chops are a family favorite. Made with Italian dressing for a tasty meal that can be grilled or baked.
Marinated Pork Chops are made with a coffee and brown sugar marinade that is knock your socks off delicious. One of our most requested recipes and loved by everyone that tries them.
Grilled BBQ Pork Chops are so easy to make with a sweet bbq sauce and grilled pineapple slices.
Brush thick cut pork chops with olive oil and season with our simple brown sugar rub for the best Grilled Pork Chops you can make any night of the week.
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Grilled Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 thick cut pork chops
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 2 1/2 teaspoons coarse black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Prepare a grill fire to 350°, use hardwood like pecan, oak or hickory for smoke flavor.
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Brush olive oil over both sides.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic, pepper, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika and thyme, mixing with a fork.
- Sprinkle brown sugar rub over all sides of pork chops, about 1 tablespoon over each pork chop.
- Place onto hot grill and cook with the lid closed for 5 minutes. Flip the pork chops and continue to cook until internal temperature reaches 145° using a digital meat thermometer.
- Remove from grill and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Please explain to me why pork chops always come out tough, no matter how I cook them? Grill, oven or stovetop! Cooking them in my slow cooker is the only way they have not!
Hi Bryan,
My best guess is that you are overcooking them and it’s so easy to do with pork chops. We use a digital meat thermometer and it makes a huge difference. Pork chops are cooked through at 145°, so if you pull them from the grill or oven at about 140° and let them rest about 5 minutes before slicing, it will make a huge difference. I hope that helps.
~ Milisa
I always have so much trouble making pork chops. This was exactly the recipe I needed! It’s so delicious, I have saved this recipe for our go-to pork chops!!
We had a rare warm winter day and so it was the perfect time to grill and I am so happy I found this recipe. The spice rub was PERFECT!
Thanks Tate!
Can this recipe be used for the air fryer?
Hi Mary,
That will work. I would cook them at about 350° in 5 minute intervals, check the pork chops and cook to 145° using a digital meat thermometer.
~ Milisa