How to BBQ Pork Chops on the Grill for Delicious Results - Outdoor Cabinets

Introduction

Grilling pork chops on the barbecue is a fantastic way to add flavor and tenderness to this lean cut of meat. With the right techniques, ingredients, and barbecue tools, you can achieve perfectly cooked and incredibly delicious pork chops off the grill every time. This comprehensive guide will provide tips and step-by-step instructions for selecting, preparing, seasoning, and grilling juicy, flavorful pork chops using both direct and indirect heat cooking methods. Follow these pro tips and you will become a master at grilling mouthwatering pork chops on your barbecue.

Selecting the Best Pork Chops for Grilling

Choosing high-quality, well-marbled pork chops is the first step to grilling success. Here are some tips for picking ideal pork chops at the grocery store:

Go for bone-in chops – The bone adds moisture, flavor, and prevents the meat from drying out on the grill. Boneless chops can dry out quickly.
Get chops at least 1-inch thick – Thinner chops will overcook too fast. Go for chops a minimum of 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick.
Choose center-cut loin chops – They are the most tender and don’t have a lot of connective tissue. Rib chops also work well.
Pick chops with some marbling – Lean chops taste dry and flavorless. Go for chops with thin streaks of white fat marbled throughout.
Check for freshness – Fresh pork has a mild pink color and smells clean, not sour. The chop should be firm to the touch.

Following these tips will ensure you buy the most flavorful, juicy, and grill-worthy pork chops.

Proper Seasoning is Key

Properly seasoning your pork chops before grilling amplifies flavor and helps create a delicious crust on the outside of the meat. Here are some seasoning tips:

Rub the seasoning into the meat – Pressing the seasoning firmly into the surface ensures it sticks and penetrates deeper into the meat.
Use kosher or sea salt – The larger grains coat the meat better than regular table salt.
Stick to 1/2 teaspoon salt per chop – Any more can make the pork overly salty. Add other herbs and spices for more flavor.
Try a commercial barbecue rub – The premixed spices add oomph to pork. Kansas City and Memphis rubs work well.
Make your own rub – Combine brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, ground mustard, cumin, and pepper.
Brush on a mopping sauce – A vinegar, broth, or oil-based mop adds another layer of taste. Apply lightly when almost done.

Take the extra time to season your chops properly and you will be rewarded with the best barbecue flavor.

indirect Grilling Method for Tender, Juicy Chops

Indirect grilling uses a 2-zone fire setup and is ideal for achieving tender and juicy pork chops that are cooked evenly without burning:

Setting Up a 2-Zone Fire

Put all coals to one side of grill – Bank all your hot coals to one side, leaving the other empty.
Add drip pan on empty side – Place disposable foil pan on the empty side to catch drippings.
Keep temp between 250-275°F – Use the vents to maintain a low, slow temperature ideal for indirect cooking.
No peeking! – Avoid lifting the lid too much and losing heat. Use a temperature probe if needed.

Cooking Process

Sear chops first – Quickly sear both sides directly over the coals for 1-2 minutes per side. This caramelizes the outside.
Move to indirect side – Transfer the chops to the cool side and cook over the drip pan until done, turning once mid-way.
Cook 25-30 minutes – Bone-in chops 1-inch thick take about 25-30 minutes using indirect heat to reach 145°F internal temperature.
Rest 5 minutes – Let rest for 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat. Internal temp will rise another 5-10 degrees.

With this indirect method, your pork chops will cook low and slow to achieve the ultimate texture.

Direct Grilling Method for Faster Cooking

Direct grilling over high heat the entire time is a quicker cooking technique best for thinner, boneless chops:

Use high heat – Heat your gas or charcoal grill to a high temperature around 450-500°F.
Flip frequently – To prevent burning, flip the chops every 2-3 minutes to cook evenly on both sides.
10 minutes total time – Thinner boneless chops usually take only about 8-10 minutes total cooking time over direct high heat.
Brush with sauce at end – During the last 1-2 minutes, quickly brush on your favorite barbecue sauce to glaze both sides.
Pull at 145°F – Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Pull chops at 145°F for juicy pork.

The direct method gives you delicious char-grilled flavor in half the time. Just watch closely to avoid overcooking.

Best Woods for Smoking Pork Chops

For added smoky flavor, use aromatic wood chips or chunks when grilling pork chops:

Apple wood – Provides a sweet, fruity smoke flavor perfect for pork. Soak chips 30 minutes before use.
Cherry wood – Imparts a slightly tart, mellow smoke taste that complements pork well.
Maple wood – Gives a milder, sweeter taste similar to a breakfast pork sausage.
Pecan wood – Has a nuttier, richer smoke profile that pairs great with pork.
Hickory wood – The king of smoking woods. Provides an iconic, robust smoke flavor loved on pork.
Mesquite wood – Use sparingly, as mesquite smoke can be overpowering. Adds great smoky taste in moderation.

Experiment with wood varieties to find your favorite smoke flavor for grilled pork chops.

Best BBQ Sauces for Grilled Pork Chops

The right barbecue sauce can take your grilled chops to the next level. Some mouthwatering options include:

Sweet & Sticky Sauces

Honey barbecue – Sticky sweetness from honey pairs perfectly with pork.
Brown sugar sauce – Tangy ketchup and molasses base amplified with brown sugar.
Hawaiian pineapple sauce – Savory and a little tropical thanks to pineapple and peppers.
Cola barbecue sauce – Surprisingly good mix of cola, brown sugar, and spices.

Spicy & Bold Sauces

Kansas City-style – Tomato base kicked up with spices, vinegar, and molasses.
Memphis-style – Similar to KC but often thinner and more vinegar forward.
Texas-style – Black pepper and spices make it significantly spicier.
Carolinian vinegar sauce – Very tangy, peppery, and heavy on the vinegar.

Premium & Craft Sauces

Single malt whiskey sauce – Luxurious blend of whiskey, butter, and spices.
Stout beer barbecue sauce – Robust from the deep flavors of rich stout beer.
Bourbon and blueberry – Sweet and almost jammy pairing for pork.
Gourmet fig sauce – Sophisticated fruit and red wine reduction sauce.

Make Your Own Signature Sauce

You can also create your own perfect sauce at home. Use ketchup, spices, sweeteners, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, etc. to craft a custom blend. Get creative and make it your new pork chop go-to!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to end up with dry, burnt pork chops if you aren’t careful. Here are some key mistakes to steer clear of:

Don’t crowd chops on the grill – Allow space between each for air circulation
Don’t grill too quickly over high heat – Use moderate temperature if cooking directly
Don’t flip chops too often – Only flip once or twice during cooking
Don’t ignore bone side – Give extra attention to thinner bone side when grilling
Don’t forget to rest chops – Essential for tenderizing meat fibers after cooking
Don’t baste with sugary sauce too early – Char and burn risk if too early
Don’t peek under the lid too much – Causes heat loss during indirect cooking
Don’t overcook – Use a meat thermometer and remove at 145°F

Follow the guidance above and you will avoid the common pitfalls of grilling pork chops.

Grilled Pork Chop Recipes

Ready to put your newfound chops grilling skills to work? Here are some tasty recipe ideas:

Dijon-Rosemary Grilled Pork Chops

Ingredients – Pork chops, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper
Steps – Combine mustard, garlic, and rosemary for marinade. Marinate chops for 1 hour up to overnight. Grill using direct then indirect heat until done.

Sweet Chili Glazed Pork Chops

Ingredients – Pork chops, vegetable oil, light brown sugar, chili powder, chili sauce, minced garlic
Steps – Mix together brown sugar, chili powder, chili sauce and garlic for glaze. Grill chops over direct heat, brush with glaze last 2-3 minutes.

Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Pork Chops

Ingredients – Pork chops, bacon, cream cheese, cooked rice, green onion, seasonings
Steps – Make a pocket by slicing partly through the chop. Stuff with cream cheese, rice, and green onion. Wrap bacon around chop. Grill until bacon is crisp.

Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops

Ingredients – Pork chops, Jamaican jerk seasoning, olive oil, fresh thyme
Steps – Rub chops with Jamaican seasoning. Grill over direct heat until charred, brushing with oil and thyme.

Mix up your usual pork chops routine with these tasty recipes!

Grilling Time and Temps to Remember

Print out this handy grilling chart for reference at your next barbecue:

Use a meat thermometer to confirm pork reaches 140-145°F internal temperature. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Conclusion

Grilling juicy, flavorsome pork chops may seem intimidating, but these tips will set you up for barbecue success. Select high-quality chops about 1 inch thick, properly season for enhanced taste, and choose between quick direct or slow indirect grilling methods. Apply your favorite barbecue sauce glaze, watch for doneness at 140-145°F, then let rest before serving. In no time, you will impress everyone with your expertise on how to bbq pork chops on the grill! What are you waiting for? Fire up the barbecue, preheat your grill, and enjoy the mouthwatering magic of grilled pork chops tonight!