Marinated Grilled Pork Chops

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/27/22
Marinated grilled pork chops recipe on a bed of rice

The Spruce Eats / Nita West

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

Using a marinade for pork chops is always a smart idea. These grilled pork chops are marinated in a mixture of Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, along with mustard, spices, and other ingredients. The tangy marinade makes for juicy, flavorful grilled chops.

For best flavor, use bone-in, center-cut pork loin chops. Boneless chops may be used for the recipe instead, but they will cook more quickly and aren't quite as flavorful as bone-in chops. Alternatively, try the marinade with bone-in or boneless country-style ribs. Any lean pork cut you would cook on the grill may be marinated. Let the pork chops marinate for three to six hours for best results.

Serve these pork chops with your favorite potato salad and sliced fresh vegetables for a memorable family cookout. They're also terrific alongside garlic mashed potatoes.

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Ingredients

  • 4 to 6 center-cut, bone-in loin pork chops, about 1 inch thick

  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, or tamari

  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon brown mustard, Dijon, or gourmet mustard blend

  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for marinated grilled pork chops recipe gathered
    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  2. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.

    Pat pork chops with paper towel
    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  3. Put the chops in a large, zip-close food storage bag or nonreactive container with a lid.

    Place pork chops in a food storage bag
    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  4. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper.

    Marinade for pork chops with a whisk in a bowl
    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  5. Pour the marinade mixture over the pork chops.

    Marinade on top of pork chops
    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  6. Seal the bag or put a lid on the container and turn to thoroughly coat the pork chops. Refrigerate for 3 to 6 hours, turning the bag or container occasionally.

    Marinated pork chops in a food storage bag after refrigeration
    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  7. Grill the pork chops over direct high heat for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the chops register at least 145 F—the minimum safe temperature for pork—on an instant-read thermometer. If the pork chops are very thick, allow more time but keep a watchful eye.

    Pork chops on a grill
    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  8. Serve with your choice of sides and enjoy.

    Grilled pork chops served on top of rice
    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

Recipe Variations

  • Use white or red wine vinegar in the marinade instead of cider vinegar.
  • Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried thyme or rosemary to the marinade.
  • Use tamari instead of soy sauce if you cook for someone on a gluten-free diet.

Tip

It's advisable to wipe up off excess marinade before grilling. This helps to prevent flare-ups on the grill and ensures the meat will be properly browned. Make sure to leave some marinade on the pork chops.

How to Store Marinated Grilled Pork Chops

Keep grilled pork chops refrigerated and covered (wrapping in foil works well) for three to five days. Wrap in foil and reheat them in a 350 F oven until completely hot. Or you can always remove meat from the bone and add to a salad or soup.

Why do you marinate pork chops?

Pork chops need marinating because they are a lean cut of meat that cooks quickly. They benefit greatly from extra flavor and moisture in a marinade.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
398 Calories
22g Fat
6g Carbs
41g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 398
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 6g 29%
Cholesterol 132mg 44%
Sodium 687mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 41g
Vitamin C 1mg 6%
Calcium 57mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 661mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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