Grilled Pork Chops are even better and more tender after they have been brined with pork brine and topped with fresh herb butter.
Grilling season has commenced at our house. Actually, it never ends. But this time of year we don’t have to stand under an umbrella while we’re grilling!
A few years ago we had a life changing experience at a local Portland restaurant with a pork chop. This pork chop was amazing. My husband still talks about it two years later. I decided to see if I could recreate something similar at home. I started with a New York Pork Chop. We love to grill pork and especially thicker cuts of pork.
Pork Brine
After you find the right pork chop, you need a good pork brine. Brining is a process where meat is soaked before cooking. Brining makes cooked meat moister by hydrating the cells of its muscle tissue before cooking. The pork brine I use is a combination of water, honey, brown sugar, garlic, peppercorns and salt.
I allowed my pork chops to brine for about 24 hours and the results were well worth the wait. Be sure your meat is totally immersed in the brine. Rotate the bag a few times during the brining process if it’s not totally covered.
Before grilling them I rinsed the pork chops off to remove any salt or peppercorns.
How To Grill Pork Chops
Our grill allows you to set a temperature so I cooked mine at 350 degrees. It took about 10-12 minutes per side. Be sure and use a meat thermometer to make sure your cook your pork to the right temperature. Cutting into the meat while it is cooking to check for doneness lets all those yummy juices out which then causes the meat to dry out so a meat thermometer works much better. You can achieve chop perfection when you cook your pork chops like a steak and use a digital thermometer to ensure the proper range of doneness. The National Pork Board recommends that you cook chops to an internal temperature between 145°F (medium rare), followed by a three-minute rest, and 160°F (medium).
After the pork chops were done cooking I topped them with some fresh herbed butter for even more amazing flavor.
Allow the butter to melt over the top of your grilled pork chops. The herbed butter is made with garlic, parsley, butter and a little lemon juice.
The pork chop was delicious. The brining made it so moist and tender and the herbed butter just added to the flavor goodness.
Pork Brine Recipe for Grilled Pork Chops
Pork Brine for Grilled Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 New York Pork Chops
Brine
- 3 C water
- 1/2 C honey
- 1/2 C brown sugar
- 4 tsp diced garlic
- 2 Tbsp black peppercorns
- 1 Tbsp salt
Herbed Butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 Tbsp fresh chives
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 C butter softened
Instructions
- Combine all Brine ingredients and pour over pork in a zip lock plastic bag.
- Be sure pork is totally immersed.
- Refrigerate 12- 24 hours. Rotate bag a few times.
- Rinse pork.
- Place on heated grill (350 degrees)
- Grill until meat reaches 145 degrees
Herbed Butter
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Refrigerate
- Place a teaspoon full on each hot chop. Allow to melt over meat.
Nutrition
Fresh Herb Butter Recipe
Fresh Herb Butter
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 Tbsp fresh chives
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 C butter softened
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Refrigerate
- Place a teaspoon full on each hot chop. Allow to melt over meat.
Nutrition
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Amy L
May 2, 2014 at 4:19 amMy favorite cut of pork is bone-in pork chops. I like them pan fried or grilled with just salt and pepper, plus maybe a bit of sage or thyme.
Stephanie
May 2, 2014 at 6:18 amI love pork tenderloin. I typically slice it and create “medallions” that I grill for a nice crispiness. Once they are grilled I will eat them with a sauce, or on a sweet roll.
Tami
May 2, 2014 at 6:21 amI’ve never made pork chops before, but would love to win this to give them a try! 😃
Harriet B.
May 2, 2014 at 8:10 amActually I’m vegetarian so I don’t eat pork, but when I did, I’d say the humble pork chop! (However, my husband is a meat-a-tarian and would love the grilling goodies!!)
Wendy Webster
May 2, 2014 at 8:11 amDoes bacon count? Hahaha! I actually really love pork chips 🙂 and I’m so glad I signed up for your newsletter instead of relying on my feed because I totally missed this post and it sounds delicious!!
carol clark
May 2, 2014 at 8:12 ambone-in pork chops i find it more juicy and more flavor than most
Katie
May 2, 2014 at 8:38 amI love boneless center cuts. They’re usually thicker and stay juicy better when cooked. Pork tenderloin is delicious also!!!!
Angela W
May 2, 2014 at 9:40 amPork would be the loin (also good meat to fat ratio)
Jennie
May 2, 2014 at 9:44 amProbably the tenderloin, but I do love pork sausage!
Tarah
May 2, 2014 at 10:05 amI prefer pork loins, I actually have a few marinating right now! I put marinade in the bag and freeze them. Then pull them out, let the thaw, and throw them on the grill.
Heather B
May 2, 2014 at 10:13 amMy favorite cut of pork is the ribs especially when grilled the way my hubby does them with his secret bbq sauce. Delicious!
Katie
May 2, 2014 at 10:38 amPork Roast is the best when cooked right.
sharonjo
May 2, 2014 at 10:50 amMy favorite is pork tenderloin. It’s been a revelation to cook pork to the newly recommended 145 degrees. It results in meat that is so much juicier and delicious. For a long time I thought pork was dry and tasteless, but now I love it! Thank you.
Heather R
May 2, 2014 at 11:14 amMy favorite cut of pork is the Boston Butt. Great in the crockpot for carnitas!
Janice Nisly
May 2, 2014 at 11:21 amI love pork tenderloin! so easy to use for many different pork dishes!
Melinda
May 2, 2014 at 11:26 amPork Loin and Ribs for sure. However, my mother makes pork chops that are off the hook. Really they are that good.
Jessie C.
May 2, 2014 at 11:44 amPork chops and ribs are my favorite. We love grilling these all seasons.
Laurie
May 2, 2014 at 11:45 amPork chops rank right up there with pork tenderloin for us!
Heather S
May 2, 2014 at 11:53 amThat recipe looks delicious! My favorite are pork chops! 🙂
Kelly D
May 2, 2014 at 12:14 pmPork loin is my favorite cut.
Marlene
May 2, 2014 at 12:25 pmI love pork tenderloin, pork chops, pork roast, spareribs, pork sausage, bacon to name just a few.
Susan M.
May 2, 2014 at 12:26 pmPork Tenderloin if my favorite cut and I have really enjoyed the receipes that you have posted on the website.
Sandy
May 2, 2014 at 12:29 pmI love a good pork chop and your recipe looks like something I have to try. Thanks for sharing it and thanks for your wonderful blog. Your recipes never fail me.
Marjorie Sharick
May 2, 2014 at 12:41 pmMy all time favorite is the cheap pork steak!! I love chewing on the bone!! I prefer all my pork to have the bone-in!! Better flavor!!
Nicole Given
May 2, 2014 at 1:15 pmBoneless pork chops
Suzanne Kintzley
May 2, 2014 at 1:16 pmI was not a huge pork fan growing up, it just didn’t have any flavor to me. But now that I have a family of my own it is my “go-to” meat, I love it all! Chops are quick and simple, roasts are so versite from pulled pork to pork noodle soup, and a pork loin is so pretty when it is marinated and roasted. Love the sweet, tangy, salty, smoky properties it has, to liven up a ho-hum meal. Of course you can’t forget Bacon! It revolutionized my meatloaf! Can’t wait to try the brine recepie for dinner tomorrow. Thank you, have a blessed day!
jan
May 2, 2014 at 1:25 pmMy favorite is pork tenderloin. I marinade it then throw it on the bbq.
Holly Cornwell
May 2, 2014 at 2:06 pmI love to prepare an asian-marinated pork tenderloin, and serve it with pineapple rice garnished with scallions and chopped cashews. Yum!
Leigh Anne
May 2, 2014 at 2:58 pmI think I need that recipe Holly! Sounds delicious.
Lachelle
May 2, 2014 at 2:12 pmPork tenderloin is my favorite!
Kathy
May 2, 2014 at 2:31 pmLove pork tenderloin!!
melissa lantz
May 2, 2014 at 2:42 pmI’m putting bacon because I have that type of pork more than any other cut 😉
Jaimie
May 2, 2014 at 2:54 pmProbably the Boston Butt.
Maudie the Maid
May 2, 2014 at 3:05 pmPork Roast or tenderloin.
Debbie Caraballo
May 2, 2014 at 3:16 pmI love all pork, but my favorite would be country style pork ribs. So meaty and tender! And being Southern, I love cracklin’s too!
Auntiepatch
May 2, 2014 at 3:52 pmI can’t eat pork but I do fix pork roasts for my husband & son with onions, carrots, and potatoes.. They love it.
tammigirl
May 2, 2014 at 4:18 pmI love the bone-in chops. We grew up eating them lightly breaded. Oh boy, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it. t
rejina williams
May 2, 2014 at 4:42 pmI like bone in pork chop best.It just something about that bone that make it taste so much better. I also do like boneless pork chop at times. I like to make them lemon peppered.
Darla
May 2, 2014 at 5:11 pmI use bacon and sausage the most!
Kim D
May 2, 2014 at 5:22 pmI love pork roasts! BBQ pulled pork and shredded carnitas just to name a few! 😉
Mindie Hilton
May 2, 2014 at 5:26 pmYour grilled pork chops look so good. My favorite cut of pork is the tenderloin or loin chops. My husband makes great pork chops. He doesn’t cook for us enough. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sandra
May 2, 2014 at 5:26 pmWe love pork tenderloin. It’s versatile, it’s good cooked on the grill, in the oven or even the slow cooker.
Bridget Taylor
May 2, 2014 at 5:30 pmI love spare ribs.
Colleen Boudreau
May 2, 2014 at 5:36 pmMy favorite is pork tenderloin.
Theresa Sea
May 2, 2014 at 5:39 pmWe don’t eat much pork, but chops on the grill are always a hit
Heather King
May 2, 2014 at 5:48 pmPork tenderloin all the way! Pick me, pick me! !!
Amy
May 2, 2014 at 5:50 pmI love the tenderloin
Wendy N
May 2, 2014 at 7:13 pmMy favorite cut of pork is the tenderloin!!
Hope
May 2, 2014 at 8:48 pmI’m no pork connoisseur, but spare ribs are always yummy! Also, you should let me know the name of that Portland restaurant because we are fairly new to the area and always looking for good eats 🙂
Leigh Anne
May 2, 2014 at 9:01 pmThe name of the restaurant is DiCarli in Beaverton and they only have the pork chop on Friday until they run out.
Melissa
May 2, 2014 at 10:09 pmI enjoy a good pork rib roast!
Kim
May 3, 2014 at 10:35 amI love to make pork chops! All pork is delicious though!:)
Gina M
May 3, 2014 at 11:29 amI love pork loin the most!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Sean C
May 3, 2014 at 2:24 pmMy favorite is Pork Tenderloin!
Alina
May 3, 2014 at 2:25 pmI love pork shoulder. It’s delicious.
Tasha N.
May 3, 2014 at 3:17 pmI would have to say Pork Loin. I can do tons of stuff with it, pulled pork, boneless chops, stuffed loin, roasted….This recipe looks awesome, I can’t wait to try it!
Annette
May 3, 2014 at 6:40 pmI love pork, but I’ve not had good success when cooking it. The only cut I’ve enjoyed (that I’ve cooked) is country style ribs.
Heather B
May 3, 2014 at 7:24 pmI have always enjoyed a good Pork loin
saminder gumer
May 3, 2014 at 7:39 pmmy favorite cut is pork shoulder. thanks for the giveaway. sgumer at gmail dot com
mysweetiepiepie
May 4, 2014 at 5:03 amWe really enjoy some nicely grilled Pork Tenderloins.
Darling Fifi
May 4, 2014 at 8:29 amMy favorite cut of pork is a nice tender loin that has been smoked for hours on my dad’s porch. Not only is the pork delicious, but there’s great company too!
Elizabeth Williams
May 4, 2014 at 8:38 amI love pork chops!
krissta
May 4, 2014 at 4:04 pmBBQ Pork Ribs are delicious!
Natalie G
May 4, 2014 at 6:33 pmI don’t have much experience cooking with pork (unless you want to count bacon lol) but I would like to try using it more in my weekly menus. This recipe looks delicious!
christine jessamine
May 4, 2014 at 6:48 pmPork Tenderloins are my absolute favorite
christinejessamine at hotmail dot com
Liz
May 4, 2014 at 7:59 pmI love smoked pork shoulder…being from the south, it is a staple for kicking off the summer right!!!
Just to be clear, when you brined these chops, do we refrigerate during that process?
Thanks, can’t wait to try this!!
Dawn
May 4, 2014 at 10:04 pmI like a good old fashioned pork chop with gravy and mashed potatoes like my mom used to make.
Jill
May 5, 2014 at 6:36 amLeigh Anne,
I had to come check yours out because I am getting to do the same promotion! Yours looks and sounds delicious. Love your photos! I got assigned the porterhouse cut, and I brined it in a bourbon brine and topped it with candied bacon butter 🙂
Pinned!
Leigh Anne
May 5, 2014 at 7:55 amJill, Your version sounds fantastic!
Thanks for coming over for a visit.
Diana
May 5, 2014 at 10:41 amPork, pork and more pork. I love it all!
Janelle Belka
May 5, 2014 at 9:19 pmPork tenderloin is our family favorite.
Leidy
May 6, 2014 at 6:56 amI have to go with pork shoulder because it taste so good when you make Carnitas with it
Candi S.
May 6, 2014 at 7:52 amI like boneless thin pork chops and pork spare ribs are my husband’s favorite.
Char
May 6, 2014 at 10:30 amPork butt, it is the best done in our smoker…..yum.
KarenK
May 6, 2014 at 7:29 pmWe love bone in center pork chops for grilling. They have fantastic flavor!
Rachel Cartucci
May 6, 2014 at 9:13 pmI like the chops the best….really any cut is good if ya know how to cook it. Yum…and thanks!
Mason Canyon
May 7, 2014 at 5:27 amThe tenderloin is my favorite part.
Michelle
May 8, 2014 at 1:59 pmThe pork chops look fab and the butter dresses them up even more. I love compound butter, especially on top of grilled food. Growing up, I didn’t like pork but back then everyone overcooked it. So dry! My favorite is probably pork chops b/c they are versatile.
Thank you for sharing with See Ya in the Gumbo this week.
Susan Christy
May 10, 2014 at 8:19 pmPork Tenderloin is my favorite.
Amanda Sakovitz
May 11, 2014 at 10:54 amI love pork chops!
Thomas Murphy
May 11, 2014 at 11:21 amI like Pork Tenderloin.
Debbie KW
May 12, 2014 at 6:31 amPork tenderloin is my favorite!
I made this recipe last night and it was delicious! Definitely a keeper!
nicole dz
May 12, 2014 at 12:30 pmPork tenderloin is my favorite! Love it in a crock pot. So tender and juicy! Great dish!
amanda whiltey
May 12, 2014 at 4:25 pmi like Pork Tenderloin best!
Stephanie Phelps
May 16, 2014 at 10:23 pmI love pork tenderloin it is so versatile and easy to make!