Pork Chop BBQ Recipe: How to Make BBQ Pork Chops

BBQ pork chops are cuts of rib chops that you season with a dry rub or a marinade and then brush with barbecue sauce; you can grill the protein on a charcoal grill, a gas grill, or stovetop. A pork chop is a center cut of meat from the loin area of a pig. It usually has a part of the rib bone attached (referred to as bone-in), but you can also purchase boneless pork chops. Whether you opt for bone-in or boneless, you can get a thin- or thick-cut piece of meat, depending on your preference.

Pork tenderloin has a mild flavor, so use rubs and sauces to season the pork loin chop thoroughly. Here are a few seasoning and sauce ideas for pork chops:

1. 1. Spicy rub: A dry rub full of spicy elements pairs well with a sweeter BBQ sauce. Mix cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and brown sugar in a bowl. Rub the mixture all over the loin chops, covering every inch.
2. 2. Simple rub: Try this simple dry rub for a milder flavor. Mix onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika together. This rub will flavor the pork loin chops without being the dominant source of flavor.
3. 3. Tomato-based BBQ sauce: Use ketchup as the base for a classic BBQ sauce. Add flavorings like brown sugar, mustard, black pepper, a touch of vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce for a thick and sweet sauce.
4. 4. Vinegar-based BBQ sauce: Vinegar-based sauces are tangy, sweet, spicy, and thinner than tomato-based sauces. Apple cider vinegar is the most common base but mix in other kinds of vinegar, like balsamic or wine vinegar, for a range of flavors.

The amount of time grilled pork chops cook on the grill depends on the meat’s thickness, the temperature of the grill, and how long the grill lid remains open. Cook pork chops until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. A one-inch thick pork chop cooks in about eight to ten minutes over direct heat.

Here are a few tips for cooking juicy pork chops and ideas for foods to serve alongside your grilled pork chops:

1. 1. Baste the chops while they cook. By basting the meat, you add juices and flavor. Use a basting brush to coat the pork chops with a BBQ sauce while they cook. This creates a flavorful crust on the outside of the meat as they grill.
2. 2. Marinate the pork chops first. Marinating pork chops before grilling infuses more moisture and flavor into the meat. Keep the marinade simple and use olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic, and some dried herbs. Marinate for up to twelve hours.
3. 3. Serve with classic sides. Pair pork chops with cookout sides like mashed potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, potato salad, or coleslaw.
4. 4. Use a meat thermometer. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the grilled pork chops reach the proper internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Start checking the temperature around five minutes into cooking to get an idea of how cooked the meat is, and continue to check periodically until it reaches the proper temperature.

BBQ pork chops are cuts of rib chops that you season with a dry rub or a marinade and then brush with barbecue sauce; you can grill the protein on a charcoal grill, a gas grill, or stovetop. A pork chop is a center cut of meat from the loin area of a pig. It usually has a part of the rib bone attached (referred to as bone-in), but you can also purchase boneless pork chops. Whether you opt for bone-in or boneless, you can get a thin- or thick-cut piece of meat, depending on your preference.

Pork tenderloin has a mild flavor, so use rubs and sauces to season the pork loin chop thoroughly. Here are a few seasoning and sauce ideas for pork chops:

1. 1. Spicy rub: A dry rub full of spicy elements pairs well with a sweeter BBQ sauce. Mix cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and brown sugar in a bowl. Rub the mixture all over the loin chops, covering every inch.
2. 2. Simple rub: Try this simple dry rub for a milder flavor. Mix onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika together. This rub will flavor the pork loin chops without being the dominant source of flavor.
3. 3. Tomato-based BBQ sauce: Use ketchup as the base for a classic BBQ sauce. Add flavorings like brown sugar, mustard, black pepper, a touch of vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce for a thick and sweet sauce.
4. 4. Vinegar-based BBQ sauce: Vinegar-based sauces are tangy, sweet, spicy, and thinner than tomato-based sauces. Apple cider vinegar is the most common base but mix in other kinds of vinegar, like balsamic or wine vinegar, for a range of flavors.

The amount of time grilled pork chops cook on the grill depends on the meat’s thickness, the temperature of the grill, and how long the grill lid remains open. Cook pork chops until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. A one-inch thick pork chop cooks in about eight to ten minutes over direct heat.

Here are a few tips for cooking juicy pork chops and ideas for foods to serve alongside your grilled pork chops:

1. 1. Baste the chops while they cook. By basting the meat, you add juices and flavor. Use a basting brush to coat the pork chops with a BBQ sauce while they cook. This creates a flavorful crust on the outside of the meat as they grill.
2. 2. Marinate the pork chops first. Marinating pork chops before grilling infuses more moisture and flavor into the meat. Keep the marinade simple and use olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic, and some dried herbs. Marinate for up to twelve hours.
3. 3. Serve with classic sides. Pair pork chops with cookout sides like mashed potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, potato salad, or coleslaw.
4. 4. Use a meat thermometer. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the grilled pork chops reach the proper internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Start checking the temperature around five minutes into cooking to get an idea of how cooked the meat is, and continue to check periodically until it reaches the proper temperature.