Tender Grilled Pork Chops
With three simple ingredients in the marinade, these tender grilled pork chops are bound to become a summer (or year-round!) favorite!
Goodbye, dry pork chops!!
This is pretty much the only way we cook pork chops. The pork chops are tender, flavorful and so, so juicy!
A Simple Marinade
The marinade for these incredible pork chops consists of just three ingredients:
- oil
- soy sauce
- steak seasoning
You can use a store bought steak seasoning (like Montreal) or you can make your own.
Homemade Steak Seasoning: 2 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon kosher/coarse salt, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon coriander, 1 tablespoon dill, 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes. Combine all the spices together and store in an airtight container.
What Kind of Pork Chops Are Best?
I use boneless pork loin chops for this recipe. It helps to use pork chops that are at least 1/2-inch thick for maximum juiciness.
It’s much easier to over cook thin pork chops and end up with dry pork, so look for thicker chops for this recipe.
How to Cook the Pork Chops
I almost always grill these pork chops. They turn out perfect every time (as long as I don’t over cook them!).
You can try throwing them in an air fryer, pan fry them, or cook in the oven on broil.
The key is to cook them just until an instant-read thermometer registers 145 degrees F at the thickest part. Remove them from the heat, tent with foil, and let them rest 10 minutes before serving.
These pork chops are so delicious they force me to grill rain, snow or shine. We enjoy them year round!
And they are the perfect dish to serve to company. Talk about a simple show stopper!
With hundreds of five-star reviews, their popularity is deserved!
Here are a few rave reviews from people other than myself:
Michelle: Amazing! Best pork I’ve made in really long time and will be my go to! Thank you so much!
Barbara: Best pork chops. I have used this recipe many times and it is the only way I will make them. Previously my husband refused to have pork chops now he asks for them
Dawn Jean: I made this tonight on some pork tenderloin, I promised my husband that if it was dry that I would never make pork on the grill again…I’ll be making this again, it was delicious!
Erika: Spot on. Would not change one thing. Still tender with so much great flavor knowing my hubby eats everything well done. Will be making this every week but taking mine off sooner. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
What to Serve With This
These pork chops would pair beautifully with a simple orzo pilaf, scalloped potatoes, pasta salad, or even a classic baked potato (or try this unique version!), not to mention anyone of these tasty salads.
FAQs for Tender Grilled Pork Chops
I usually use 1/2- to 1-inch thick
I set my pellet grill to 375 for medium heat.
I marinate them and then put them in the freezer. I pull them out in time to defrost in the refrigerator (so usually 24 hours-ish) and then put them on the grill when they are defrosted.
Tender Grilled Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork loin chops (see note)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning, store bought or make-your-own (see note)
Instructions
- Mix olive oil, soy sauce and steak seasoning together in a small bowl.
- Add the pork chops to a large ziploc bag or flat dish and pour the marinade ingredients over the top. Refrigerate and marinade for at least 3 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Heat a charcoal, propane, or pellet grill to medium and grill the chops 6-8 minutes per side (depending on how thick they are) until an instant-read thermometer registers between 145 and 155 degrees F.
- Remove the chops from the grill, tent them with foil, and allow them to rest for 5-7 minutes. Slice the chops across the grain and serve.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from my sister-in-law, Angela
This recipe was originally posted May 17, 2010
If the chops are an inch thick and I want to use the oven instead of grill, at what temp and how long should they cook? Thanks
Not sure since I haven’t made them that way but maybe start at 375 for 10 min and check from there?
We loved this recipe! I don’t have a grill, so I broiled the pork chops in my toaster oven.
I used this marinade yesterday. My guests and husband loved it. Thanks for another yummy recipe. I paired it with your baked brown rice which NEVER disappoints.
Just had these pork chops for dinner again last night and they are fantastic! I have a giant bottle of steak seasoning that’s just been sitting in my pantry so I’m happy to have a use for it. The marinade is so quick and simple I have time to do it before leaving for work. Depending on when I get home, they usually sit for 8-10 hours. The chops came out tender and juicy and delicious!
Hi Mel,
My chops are marinating for tonight but I wonder if I can grill them in a cast iron grill pan and how long that might take. I don’t want them to be spoiled and dry out.
Definitely, Jane! I would say probably 6-7 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
Looking forward to these Pork Chops! They are about to go on the grill.
So easy to put the pork chops in the marinade before work – my family loved these! I made these a few weeks ago with Penzey’s Chicago Steak Seasoning since that what I had and will make them again tonight. Thanks for a great recipe!
Thx for the recipes iadd garlic ,onion powder black pepper soy sauce no salt some vinger and some oil marinate the bonless pork chops over night
We’re going to try these for our Sunday dinner tomorrow night and I’m really excited! The only way we seem be able to cook pork chops is tough and dry. Can’t wait to try this moist, marinated version! I’ve been posting all your recipes to my whole30 Instagram account (some I’ve adapted, but don’t worry, I’m giving you all the credi:) and I’ll post this one too. Thanks Mel!
Hey Meg – are you still doing Whole30? Wasn’t it you that emailed me way back in January asking how to adapt the cashew chicken wraps? Maybe I’m thinking wrong. Anyway, if you are still doing it – way to go!
I love so much about your work, Mel, but perhaps close to the top is showcased in this recipe. Instead of an, “oh, that’s too bad – no Montreal Steak Seasoning on hand” I’m eager with, “ooh, I can make this right now with Mel’s homemade steak seasoning!” We’re making these today. You are awesome!
Yay!!! 4/6 of my people loved these. Even my meat hater aye the whole thing. Keep em coming
These were wonderfully tender, but I didn’t care for the flavor. I tend to like salty foods, but these were a tad bit too salty for even me. Will try the cooking method again but will look for another marinade. Sorry, I usually love all your recipes!!
Tried this tonight and it was delicious. I used low sodium soy sauce since Montreal seasoning also contains salt. This will definitely be on my regular rotation. Thanks for posting!
These were great! I used Penzey’s Chicago Steak Seasoning since that’s what I had on hand. My husband and two kids (9 & 12) kept telling me how much they liked them.
I didn’t think I liked pork chops until my sister made this recipe for us last summer, and now it’s one of our favorites! These are so good!
Mel, I just listened to your podcast and I was thrilled that you mentioned the Brazilian cheese bread. I had forgotten about that recipe. I made the pork chops last night and the cheese bread. Both turned out great! We saved some of the cheese bread to eat while we watched the opening ceremonies for the olympics in Brazil. I have been making your recipes for the last eight or nine years, I can’t remember exactly, but I started reading your blog when you only had two or three comments. Thanks for years of great recipes. You’ve made my life easier and more delicious! Teresa
Thank you, Teresa! I always love seeing your comments pop up. You have been a loyal reader for a LONG time. Thank you!
has anyone tried the marinade on a pork tenderloin?
Today is the third time I am using the marinade on pork tenderloins. I grill 2 at a time. My husband and I eat one tenderloin for dinner and the other one once it is cold in fridge, I cut very thin slices to make his sandwiches for work. Delicious!!!
Pork loin was on sale so I cut two thick chops off for me and my husband. They were perfect! So moist and such great flavor! Thank you!
looks like a recipe right up my alley…However when I went to print it, an ad appeared right in the middle of the recipe. Deleted it and was left with blank spot. This advertising that covers half of your postings is gone beyond acceptable. It is not just yours that this happens on. My response to you and the advertisers is to unsubscribe from that website. this is so unacceptable.
Hi Judy – thanks for your feedback. The ad will appear on the print screen but it shouldn’t actually print. I’ll do some checking into that to make sure the ad isn’t printing. Thanks for letting me know.
These are so delicious ! I even make them in the winter using the oven broiler . Using Ponzu or teriyaki sauce , rather than soy sauce put a delicious Japanese twist to the chops as well . I usually only add equal amounts of black pepper , garlic and onion powder .
We love these pork chops, and make them every few weeks. Even our pickiest eater will eat these, and they are always a favorite. We’ve also brought them to friends who’ve just moved, had a baby, etc – and everyone loves them. Thank you!
I made this tonight and they turned out Awesome…..great flavor, nice grill look and flavor and very moist…I love grilled food but when You don’t have a “man, who never teaches you how” then you don’t get any…..Well, I am finally going to learn how with Mels help…..
Thank you Mel for helping me feel like a rock star…..
Monica
I just tried this recipe, using your copycat Montreal seasoning mix, and it was delish!
My guests loved the chops and I was relieved that they were tender and moist. Thank you for sharing!!
I made these for a dinner party less than a week ago to rave reviews! My family enjoyed it so much I am using it for the main course for Easter dinner. I used pork ribeye and Cain’s Steak Seasoning. These chops are fork tender and perfectly seasoned. If you are looking for a marinade that keeps grilled pork moist, tender and flavorful, this is it. Thank you Mel!
I have always wanted to fix tender, moist pork chops but have tried different recipes over and over again without luck. I put 3 thick pork chops into the marinade mid morning. Forgot that we had company coming. Company didn’t leave til almost nine. Then we discovered that we were out of gas on the grill.
So I threw them in a skillet with few thinly chopped onions and pan fried them.
OMG THEY WERE SO TENDER AND MOIST. Unbelievable!!! Can’t wait to try them on the grill next time company comes. Thank you so much!!!!
Love these pork chops! We had them tonight for probably about the 10th time. I love that the marinade only has a few ingredients.
What an easy way to get a great tasting grilled pork chop! My family was pleasantly surprised. Delicious!
These pork chops are quick and flavorful. Thanks for posting. We will make again.
This was amazingly delicious!! My family loved it! I used Dale’s Steak seasoning instead of soy sauce. Dale’s is a soy sauce based sauce. It’s lovely. I also used more McCormick Steak seasoning than called for by accident, but it was so delicious anyway! I marinated it for about 2 hours. Put out on the grill and perfecto!! I am thinking about doing the same thing for a t-bone or rib eye steak. Even chicken. Can’t say enough about how pleased I am.
So delicious! Marinated a day and a half and overcooked just a bit, Still awesome! Such a great quick and easy recipe for a touchy cut of meat. The kids loved it. Thanks for another winner Mel!
Omg just made these pork chops – all I can say is : AWESOME
I had all 3 ingredients in the pantry (E.V.O.O. Montreal Seasoning & soy sauce). They are the best tasting & juiciest chops I’ve made on the grill. The chops soaked up all the marinade in just an hour. I followed the cooking time suggested and they came out perfect!! Beautiful golden brown and grill marks to perfection. And the flavor is beyond what I expected , so happy I found such a simple easy recipe. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi Mel,
does your copycat recipe for the steak seasoning call for fresh coriander or coriander powder?
Dried coriander.
Amazing!! Made these with Basil Pesto Olive Oil. Marinaded for 4 hours, perfect. Served with a spinach salad, grilled zucchini and garlic bread. Keeper recipe for sure and soooo simple. Thanks for sharing!!!
My husband doesn’t usually say much about food but he good stop saying how good these chops were!
I just tried this recipe and was really happy! I make pork 2-3 times a week and this is one of the juiciest I’ve made! I actually marinated it for only and hour and a half (my hubby came home from work super hungry lol) and it was really delicious! I grilled it in my grill pan in the stove and it was perfect, carmalized edges, grill marks and it was tender an juicy! I’ll be trying this again soon. I might try adding some brown sugar and garlic heads to the marinade next time. Thanks for sharing I’ll be trying more of your recipes soon!
Elle
Hi Mel,
I had planned to use another recipe I had recently found for baked pork chops, but since it was way too hot to use my oven last night I googled recipes to grill pork chops and very happily found your page. I only had time to let the chops sit in the marinade for about 45 minutes and they still came out super delicious! I can only imagine how yummy and tender they’d be the next time when I actually have the time to let them marinade. Thanks for the recipe and I look forward to coming back to your site for more inspiring ideas and yummy recipes!
Hi Stephanie – I’m so happy you loved this recipe – sure hope you find some other recipes to try and love!
I made the marinade and vacuum sealed the chops in a bag and put in the fridge over night. All I can say is I don’t think I’ll make them any other way now!! This is the best pork chop recipe I’ve tried!! Thank you! !
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I made these tonight on my George Foreman. I put 4 of them on medium for about five minutes ( I had smaller cuts) and they were amazing 🙂 I served them with Acorn squash and my husband (who doesn’t like pork) actually admitted that they were pretty good… slight miracle over here 😉
This is my go-to marinade for steak, but I never would have thought of using it for pork chops! I had just under 2 hrs to marinade them, but they still turned out so delicious! Thanks for the great idea!
Thankyou! This was the perfect recipe for the BBQ! Easy and fast and so moist and delicious.. thanks. All your recipes are my fave!
Thank you sooo much for this quick & easy marinade. I used it again last night & loved it again, so I had to come back & find you, just to say thank you.
I made these for dinner last night and my family loved them. I was afraid they would have an overwhelming soy sauce flavor but they did not. So simple and very tasty. Thank you for sharing all of your delicious recipes.
Hi Mel…just wanted to thank you for this recipe. I’m making it for the 2nd time and it’s a keeper and so simple! Thanks for sharing.
I’m only sad I didn’t discover this recipe earlier! You have such a vast recipe collection here, it’s hard to know where to start. I have been looking for a tasty way to cook boneless pork chops, a fairly inexpensive cut, with no success. The search is over, and I’m already thinking of the different sides that would go well with these yummy pork chops. Yay!
Hi. Thanks for sharing your Tender Grilled Pork Chops recipe! My family loved it and will be a regular recipe for us. I am looking forward to trying another recipe. love your Blog.
Loved this recipe! 2 years later, but thank you for posting! Amazing
Teri – I use the dried dill.
Does the recipe call do dill weed or fresh dill?
We made these for the fifth time last night. They are a hit with the whole family! My husband, a huge steak fan, said he might like these better than a steak. I’ve loved all the recipes we’ve made from your blog. Thank you!