Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
These grilled pork chops are THE BEST ever. They're easy to make, flavorful, and always juicy. Coat them with a wet rub made from pantry-staple spices then pop them on the BBQ for 14 minutes and dinner is ready!
When the weather is hot and I'm craving pork, this is the recipe I always make. I've made it so many times that it's become one of those “back pocket recipes.” You know the kind I'm talking about, right? The recipe that you make again and again until you stop measuring the ingredients and make it by memory.
These grilled pork chops are about to become your back pocket recipe.
Why you'll love these grilled pork chops
- BBQ pork chops that are JUICY are easy to fall in love with.
- The wet spice rub (made with ingredients I bet you have in your pantry right now) is delicious and perfectly compliments the grilled chops.
- This recipe is a summer-friendly version of my crazy popular Juicy Baked Pork Chops. If you like that one (and I know you do!) then you'll love this one, too.
- Unlike many pork recipes, this one is 100% sugar-free. That's right, my friends. This is a healthy pork chop recipe.
- These chops are so tasty that all you need to make them a meal is a simple side salad. Give it up for easy summer dinners!
Best Grilled Pork Chop Marinade
This marinade is my absolute favorite. It's a BBQ-friendly version of the one I use in my Juicy Baked Pork Chops recipe and very similar to the one I use in my Best Grilled Chicken Breast recipe.
The spices you'll need are:
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
To make the marinade, you mix the spices with some oil and apple cider vinegar until a paste forms. The vinegar tenderizes the meat and the wet rub helps prevent the chops from drying out on the grill. It's the perfect grilled pork chop marinade.
How long to grill pork chops
The thickness of your pork chops is what will determine how long they'll need to stay on the BBQ. I don't recommend grilling pork chops that are less than 1-inch thick as they tend to dry out easier.
On a medium-high heat BBQ, you want to grill boneless pork chops for 14 minutes per inch of thickness. Add 2 minutes per inch if you're using bone-in pork chops.
The best way to tell if your pork chops are cooked, and to not overcook them, is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. When you think your chops are done, insert the thermometer into the middle of one of them. If it reads 145 degrees Fahrenheit, your chops are ready to come off the grill.
Is this a healthy grilled pork chop recipe?
Yes! Pork chops are lean meat and a healthy main dish option. They are low in saturated fat and calories and high in protein. While you'll often find sugar added to pork chop recipes, I think it's totally unnecessary to take a healthy cut of meat and add unhealthy sugar. The paprika and onion powder in the marinade add the perfect gentle sweetness to this recipe so there is no need for sugar.
This recipe is low-carb, gluten-free, paleo, sugar-free, and Whole30. But most importantly, it's delicious!
What to serve with grilled pork chops
When the weather is hot and you're standing in front of the grill, the last thing you want to do is turn on your oven to make a side dish. That's why having a few BBQ-friendly and no-cook side dish recipes are so important. Here are my favorites:
- Cauliflower Salad with Avocado Pesto Dressing
- Easy Asian Coleslaw with Orange Sesame Dressing
- Curry Grilled Carrots with Yogurt Sauce
- Grilled Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- Avocado Cucumber Salad
- Smoky Parmesan Corn on the Cob
And if you're feeling extra hungry, round out the meal with some perfect basmati rice or one of my two fav grilled potato recipes:
Favorite Pork Chop Recipes
- Juicy Baked Pork Chops ← Reader favorite!
- Stuffed Spanish Pork Chops
- Juicy Primavera Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Chops and Mushroom Soup (dairy-free!)
- Grilled Gochujang Pork Chops with Watermelon Salad
Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder and garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano, salt, and pepper
- 4 1-inch thick boneless pork chops
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until a thick paste forms.4 tablespoons olive oil, 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder and garlic powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, salt, and pepper
- Coat both sides of the pork chops in the paste and set them aside on a plate to marinate while you warm up the grill, or up to 8 hours.4 1-inch thick boneless pork chops
- Preheat your grill to medium-high. If you have a BBQ Mat, use it as it will help keep your BBQ clean.
- Grill your pork chops for 7 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Let them rest for 5 minutes after removing them from the grill.
Notes
We absolutely adore pork chops for dinner. If you love them too, make sure to check out all of our pork chop recipes!
PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER!
Didnt read directions carefully (plus it could’ve been written better). I grilled my chops 14 min each side! Overdone. Directions shouldve said “7 min each side”.
Temperature ranges are subjective unless exact degrees are given. Time of cooking is only wide-ranged estimate at best since heat of grill, temperature of pork chop, density of the meat, and flames vs indirect can affect cooking time. Always cook to an internal temperature of the meat and never to time.
This came together so easily, I only marinated for about 15 minutes and still tender and flavorful
WOW! These were literally THE juciest tastiest pork chops we’ve ever eaten. We said YUM after every bit!
Tried for the first time. Used thinner breakfast chops. Med/High Heat. Warmed grill for 10 minutes and then seared pork chops on each side for 5 minutes. Quite tasty! Will use this recipe again!
Wonderful low carb wet rub! The whole family loved it.
This was an easy, excellent recipe. I love it.
Tried today and the whole family loved it! Pork chops were moist and the flavor was great. It’s a keeper 🙂
These came out great!
So simple, and actually juicy! Only marinated for about 30 min, but very tasty.
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!
TENDER PC I HAVE EVER MADE.
FINALLY A RECIPE WORTH USING AGAIN
D.RIGGENBACH
it was very easy and delicious. Making it again. good for the next day for sandwiches or with rice.
Fantastic with so much flavor.
I wanted to try this recipe because it is sugar free and I’m sooooo happy I did.
This is a keeper for sure.
Oh my word. Made this for dinner tonight, along with a side of potatoes au gratin.
It is absolutely delicious and so, so flavorful. I grilled them on a cast iron ribbed lodge grill pan on the stove – it really imparted a charred and grilled flavor which was just divine. All of it.
This recipe is saved and will be a staple. Thanks so much for publishing this.
I love this marinade! It was delicious on pork chops, and grilled zucchini and mixed into scrambled eggs. I think it will be my new go to!
Meh,
Just made these on the grill. Left on til thermometer read 160. They were wonderful…crisp on the outside; juicy and moist on the inside. Will definitely make them again! My new “go to” for grilled pork chops!
My instant read thermometer died. How can I tell the chops are done?
You can use the finger test … hold your thumb and ring finger together. Now feel the muscle area below your thumb … that’s what the pork chops should feel like when they’re done. Even when fully cooked, pork chops are often a little pink. But if you’re cooking without a thermometer, err on the side of caution and make sure that there is no more than the tiniest bit of pink inside.
I love this recipe and have always grilled the pork chops – my question is- can I sear these on the stovetop an finish them in the oven?
I wouldn’t recommend searing them as the spices may burn. Have you seen our baked pork chop recipe? It might be just what you’re looking for!
delicious, i did grill mine until thermometer read 165 – and they were still moist.
I had my doubts… no brown sugar… but I followed the recipe EXACTLY and to my utter delight the chops were so juicy, tender and flavorful! The only small difference was that I did try to squeeze off the marinade before grilling since I don’t have a BBQ mat and didn’t want a mess. Also made the grilled garlic mushrooms. So tasty! Will definitely be making both again. YUM!
OMG, this recipe rocks! I’m adding pork chops to our routine after using this recipe! I didn’t have time to let the chops marinate so I put the rub into a Ziplock with the pork chops, I let the meat marinate for an hour, delicious!
This was amazing on pork chops. Can’t wait to try it on chicken!
Absolutely delicious! The pork is soooooo tender! ,Made this for the second time tonight. Didn’t remember the mix being so spicy. Found out after we had finished that husband had put the wrong lid on the wrong spice jar; instead of 2 tbsp of paprika, I had used 2 tbsp of hot chilli powder! It should have been inedible but wasn’t.
Oh man that sounds spicy!!
No, spicy would have been chipotle powder… yummy! signed, dedicated chilihead. ???
Grilled two inch chops last night using your marinade and they were outstanding! This recipe could not be easier and utilizes ingredients that you probably already have at home. Gluten free, sugar free, paleo, whole 30 and low carb- you can please a crowd of health conscious guests with an abundance of flavor with this preparation, and not wear out the chef in the process. Highly recommend ?
That’s so great to hear, Pam! Thank you for the comment!
Great flavor and very juicy! Definitely would make again.
That’s great, Jennifer! Thank you for the comment!
I want to make the grilled pork chops. Can you tell me all of the measurements for the Marinade?
All the ingredients and amounts are in the recipe card. It’s just above the comments section. 🙂
Pork has always been my favorite dish, no matter how is prepared am always ready to eat. I also like the way you have shown the nutritional value.