Satisfy your sweet tooth with this easy-to-make recipe for Grilled Pork Chops.
1. Info for Grilled Pork Chops
- Cook Time: 44 min
- Total Time: 44 min
- Servings: 6
- Calories:
2. Ingredients for Grilled Pork Chops
- 6 bone-in pork chops (1 inch thick)
- BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup kosher salt (NOT table salt)
- 4 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chile powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for spicier)
3. Directions:
- In a gallon-size freezer bag, mix 1/4 cup kosher salt with warm water until the salt dissolves. Whisk in apple cider vinegar, 2 Tbsp. brown sugar and ice. Add the pork and seal (make sure all the chops are submerged).
- Brine for 20-30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. While pork chops are brining, make homemade BBQ sauce.
- For homemade BBQ sauce, combine 2 cups ketchup, 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses, 1/3-1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup seedless blackberry preserves, 1 tsp. mesquite liquid smoke, 1 tsp. smoked paprika, 1 tsp. chili powder, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, 1/2 tsp. ground mustard, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. dried thyme in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce to low heat to gently simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove pork from brine and thoroughly rinse in cool water. Pat dry.
- Whisk the following ingredients together in a bowl; set aside. 1 Tbsp. kosher salt, 1 Tbsp. brown sugar, 2 tsp. smoked paprika, 1 tsp. chili powder, 1 tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder, 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, and 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional for spicier).
- Lightly drizzle and rub the top side of the pork chops with olive oil, then season and rub with half of the spice rub; repeat with the other side. Let pork chops sit at room temperature for 30 minutes if they have been refrigerated in the brine, otherwise, if you have brine at room temperature, you can grill right away.
- Heat grill to 400°F with the lid closed, this will take about 10-15 minutes. Thoroughly clean the grill using a wire brush. Once the grill reaches temperature, grease the grill using tongs holding a wad of paper towels greased with vegetable oil.
- Add the pork chops to the grill and cover. Reduce heat as needed to maintain heat around 400°F. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side or until the thickest part of the meat registers 145°F on an instant-read thermometer. Baste the pork chops with some barbecue sauce the last 30 seconds of cooking on each side.
- Transfer pork to a plate and brush with desired amount barbecue sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Let pork rest for 3 minutes before slicing.