
Juicy Grilled Pork Chops with Paprika Garlic Wet Rub
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My juicy grilled pork chops are coated in a paprika-garlic wet rub made with olive oil and apple cider vinegar, which seasons the meat in the time it takes your grill to heat up. There’s no sugar, so the chops stay over direct heat from start to finish and come off charred outside and tender in the middle.

My grilled pork chops get their flavor from a wet rub made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. I stir it into a paste that clings to the meat. In recipe testing, I found that the paste seasoned the chops in the time it took my grill to heat up. You can also leave them in the fridge for up to 8 hours if you want to prep ahead.
I don’t add sugar to the rub, so the surface doesn’t burn before the center cooks through. That’s why I keep the chops over direct, medium-high heat with the lid closed for the whole cook, and the paprika picks up real char.
I use 1-inch boneless chops and pull them off at 145°F. Andrew, a reader who had given up on grilling pork chops because they always came out dry, told me in the comments that he now makes them this way.
I adore pork chops for dinner. If you love them too, check out all my pork chop recipes!


Serving suggestions
Since the grill is already hot, I like to cook a side right next to the pork chops. Grilled garlic butter mushrooms cook in about the same time as the chops, and the garlic butter goes well with the paprika rub. One reader, Susan, commented that she made them together and planned to make both again.
To balance the char, add something cool and crunchy: a creamy cucumber salad, corn on the cob, or a simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette. For a heartier plate, serve the chops with roasted potatoes or rice to catch the juices when you slice into them.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Store: Keep leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm them gently in the microwave at 50% power, or in a covered skillet with a splash of water over medium-low heat, just until heated through. High heat dries them out.
Serve cold: Leftovers are just as good straight from the fridge. Slice them thinly and add them to a salad, tuck them into a sandwich, or serve them over rice, the way reader Frances does.

Juicy Grilled Pork Chops with Paprika Garlic Wet Rub
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion granules
- 1 tablespoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black 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 sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon onion granules, 1 tablespoon garlic granules, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper

- Coat both sides of the pork chops with the paste, then set them aside on a plate to marinate while you warm the grill, or marinate for up to 8 hours in your fridge.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 the pork chops for 5 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove them from the grill at 145 degrees Fahrenheit, then let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
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. You can please a crowd of 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.