The Ultimate Pork Chops – so tender and juicy. You can cut them with a butter knife!!! Pork chops brined overnight in water, sugar and salt. Rub in a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, dry mustard, pepper and chili powder. Seriously THE BEST!!! Everyone RAVES about these delicious grilled pork chops!
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Pin This RecipeWe’ve found The Ultimate Pork Chops. SO tender and juicy! TONS of great flavor! Seriously delicious!! One of the best pork chops we’ve ever grilled.
These Ultimate Pork Chops take a little planning. You need to brine the pork chops overnight before grilling. The brine is a mixture of water, salt and sugar. Brining the pork chops will make them super tender and juicy. We were able to cut these pork chops with our butter knives!!
After brining the pork chops, just give them a rub with the spice mixture and grill. Pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145ºF. Just use a meat thermometer to check the chops for doneness.
We used bone-in pork chops because that is what we prefer. Feel free to use some thick boneless pork chops if you aren’t a fan of bone-in chops.
The Ultimate Pork Chops
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups ice
- 4 (1-inch thick) bone-in pork chops
Rub
- 3 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
Instructions:
- In a large pan, combine salt, sugar and water. Cook over medium heat until sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat. Add ice to cool brine to room temperature.
- Place pork chops in a gallon sized resealable plastic bag; add cooled brine. Seal bag. Refrigerate 8 to 12 hours.
- Remove pork chops from brine. Rinse and pat dry.
- Combine ingredients for rub. Sprinkle on both sides of pork chops.
- Prepare grill and cook pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145ºF.
Steph
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How exactly are your setting up your grill for cooking either charcoal or gas. Indirect or direct heat and approx temperature. Thanks
Here is how we set up our grill: https://www.plainchicken.com/grilling-101-how-to-use-charcoal-starter/
We cook the pork chops over direct heat.
Absolutely the best juiciest pork chops ever. The spice rub was perfect! I used boneless thick chops and baked in a 400* oven for about 25 minutes. This recipe is a keeper!! My husband was really impressed with how delicious they were.
Seriously damn good!!! Made recipe almost as is, but slightly decreased paprika. Only had time to marinate for 4 hours and still the best Pork Chops I have ever made!! Will definitely make again!!!
Can I use smoked paprika instead of regular?
sure
Is it a must to use sugar in the brine or can I use a substitute ?
You can make any recipe any way that you would like. It is your kitchen.
These pork chops were tasty, tender, overall delicious. Got lots of compliments at the dinner table.
I made mine in the oven, 400 degrees for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. Can’t wait to try them on the grill
Loved them. Flavorful, juicy, tender. Yum!
Absolutely delicious! My family loved this recipe! Thank you for sharing!
I left a message a few days ago, I need help in finding ground mustard. Can you tell me the best place to look? Can I substitute with something else?
It is just in the spice section at the grocery store.
Colemans brand ground mustard in the spice section, yellow can
Look near the spices.
What temp on the grill and how long,thanks
Kosher salt, is it a must? What is the difference with that as compared to regular sifto table salt?
use any salt you like
Hi can I bake these in oven instead?
Does it have to be bone in pork chops?
no
Can you make these in the oven, if so, what temp. & for how long?
Awesome my go to chops forever I cooked mine in my cast iron pan.yummy
What temperature do you suggest for cooking the chops in the oven?
Can I bake in an oven? Or pan fry with or without oil?
Thanks
Sure
Best damn pork chop I’ve ever eaten
These were really good!! Followed recipe as written. I’m keeping this baby!!!
What is the minimum time to marinade the chops?
There is no required minimum time – it is completely up to you.
Delicious! The last time I made pork chops on the grill I was so disappointed because they were tough. After that I was in search of how to make tender pork chops when I came upon this recipe and decided to give it a try. My husband said that they tasted like steak and that I better be sure to hang onto this recipe. I believe the brine makes a huge difference.
I made these three times fo don’t salt things very much. So I did rinse them well. They were perfect. far. For a party of 4, 10 and party of 14. They all loved them. I was afraid they would be too salty but I rinsed them well. They were perfect. Loved the rub.
Can I cook it in the oven? if so, what temperature and for how long?
I did these under the broiler. I just put the rack down a notch an watched them closely. They were tender and juicy and yummy ! Great recipe !
So glad you enjoyed them, Susan!
Just finished eating these and I had to come and comment on how great they were! This may be my favorite pork chop recipe yet, so juicy and flavorful and of course super easy. Thank you for sharing😊
The pork chops were melt in your mouth tender! My only problem was they were too salty. But I did not rinse them after the brine. Missed that part! Will do again and see if they are less salty.
Whats the longest they can be in brine for? I have made these they were very good
Can you use this brine for any kinds of meat
sure
These were amazing! So tender and juicy – and flavorful. Will definitely be our go-to when it comes to grilled pork chops. It says something about a recipe when it’s all thumbs up from our family – and it was two thumbs up from everyone. Thanks so much!!
Would these cook in the oven or stop top okay? It's too cold right now to grill outdoors.
I cooked in my air fryer 400 degrees for 12 mins. They were very good. Going to try on chicken next time. A keeper. Thanks.9
what can i do if i don't have ice?
Wait for it to cool down then, or put the brine in the fridge to cool faster!
can this be used for a Pork loin roast. Want to cook in slow cooker?
I think that would be fine.
Can we leave the brine on longer than 12 hours? Wanted to do the night before.
Sure
If you are making 8 chops do you double the brine recipe?
How much rub should you use per chop ?Mine were too seasoned but tender
Season them with the rub to your personal preference.
Ive made these a few times and I can’t get enough! They are a big hit always, thank you for sharing
Do you know if you Can you cook these in the oven? If so, what temp and for how long?
I’ve done a similar recipe in the oven at 400 degrees for 18 minutes (or until pork reaches 145 degrees). Let rest five minutes after cooking.
These were absolutely delicious. I cooked them on the stovetop and they turned out perfect! My whole family loved them. I made extra for leftovers and they were even better the next day. I'm definitely making these again!
could you tell me how high you cooked them and for how long on each side?
I dearly love these ultimate Pork chops great flavor tender and easy to make I did not change a thing on this recipe it is perfect just the way it is.
Im going to smoke them in my Bradley smoker tommorrow. After they sit in the brine over nite. Hope to keep you informed on the results. Gord
I bought whatever was on sale. I didn't have time to marinate overnight but, still came out tender and delicious. Would definitely make again.
How many minutes per side …. and as an alternate can they be cooked in the oven?
7 1/2 minutes per side
I already had pork chops out for tonight and when I saw your recipe I thought what the heck give it a try. I am so glad I did…the first thing my husband said was, did you do something different to the pork chops? He is very picky so I thought oh no but he went on to say they were some of the most tender and best flavored pork chops he had ever eaten. I cut back some on paprika because I know that is a flavor he doesn’t really care for and I cooked them on the indoor grill. Fabulous – thanks for a great recipe.
Lady damn maybe that will work for my man great chop story lol!!!!!!!
I heard lime juice is a good tenderizer!?
Your chops look delicious and I like the rub ingredients