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Grilled Pork Chops

These juicy, thick-cut grilled pork chops with homemade chipotle-lime marinade will keep you firing up the grill all summer. They’ve got lovely char marks, lots of garlic, and fresh cilantro for the perfect bite.

Marinated grilled pork chops with char marks on a serving platter.

Best Grilled Pork Chops Recipe

Infused with a smoky aroma and bursting with vibrant chipotle-lime flavor, these grilled pork chops are a party on the palate. The simple, blended marinade is packed with herby Italian seasoning, fragrant garlic, and olive oil for a burst of flavor in every bite. Cooked on a searing grill until juicy and slightly charred, they’re an impressive main course for all your summer cookouts.

Why You’ll Love These Grilled Bone In Pork Chops

This recipe will become a cookout-favorite because it’s packed with fresh, tangy flavors and lets you play around with the cooking time and marinade ingredients.

  • Homemade marinade. It’s packed with fresh ingredients like lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and lots of chipotle.
  • Great for cookouts. Pork chops are a great way to spice up your regular summer cookout menu.
  • Perfectly cooked. Grill these juicy pork chops to your preferred doneness, from rare to well-cooked.
  • Versatile. Add orange juice, taco seasoning, or hot sauce to switch things up and add more flavor.
Ingredients for the grilled pork chops.

Recipe Ingredients

Herby Italian seasoning, fresh cilantro, and lime juice give the marinade lots of natural brightness. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

For the Marinade

  • Chipotle in adobo sauce – You can find them in the Mexican aisle at most grocery stores.
  • Italian seasoning – Use your favorite.
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic or garlic paste are best.
  • Olive oil – Corn, canola, and vegetable oil work too.
  • Lime juice – Feel free to use lemon juice.
  • Cilantro – Avoid cilantro with yellow or brown stems because it’ll taste bitter.
  • Salt – Kosher salt is best.

For the Pork Chops

  • Pork chops – Ask your butcher for thick-cut, bone-in pork chops.
  • Salt and pepper – Go for kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper.
Grabbing a piece of a juicy pork chop with a fork.

How To Make Grilled Pork Chops

The longer you let the pork marinade, the more tangy and spicy goodness it’ll absorb. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.

  • Make the marinade. Add all the marinade ingredients to the blender. Process until completely smooth.
  • Marinate the pork. Season the pork with salt and pepper on all sides. Place it in a large Ziploc bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and shake well. Refrigerate it for 4-24 hours.
  • Grill it. Remove the pork chops from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Set the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the pork for 4-5 minutes per side.
  • Serve. Remove it from the heat and let the pork chops rest for 10 minutes. Serve, slice, and enjoy.

How Long Do You Grill Pork Chops?

The time will depend on how well cooked you like your pork chops. Use a meat thermometer if you have one to check for exact doneness.

  • Rare: 3-4 minutes per side. The internal temperature should be 140F. The meat will be very pink throughout.
  • Medium-rare: 4-5 minutes per side. The internal temperature will be 145F. The pork chops will have a lightly browned exterior with a pink interior.
  • Medium: 5-6 minutes per side. 160F will be the internal temperature. The meat will be mostly brown on the inside, but you’ll still see a slightly pink center.
  • Well-done: 6-7 minutes per side. The internal temperature will be 170F. It’ll be completely brown on the inside.
Sliced grilled pork chop with chipotle-lime marinade.

Tips & Variations

From cooking indoors to using sweet oranges for the marinade, these juicy grilled pork chops will be a hit with everyone.

  • Add heat. Chop up 1/4-1/2 fresh jalapeño or serrano chili and add it to the marinade. You can also use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1/2-1 tablespoon hot sauce.
  • Flatten them. If the pork chops have different thicknesses, place them between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound them until they’re an even thickness (about 1″ thick). This will ensure even cooking.
  • Use the stove. Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook the pork chops as usual, with the same cooking time.
  • Make them sweet-and-savory. Stir 1-2 tablespoons raw honey, agave nectar, or dark brown sugar into the marinade for a more complex flavor profile.
  • Use the zest. Grate the limes in this recipe and add 1/2-1 tablespoon zest into the marinade for some zesty goodness.
  • Go orange. Swap the lime juice for freshly-squeezed orange juice for an easy variation of this recipe.
  • Make them Tex-Mex. Change the Italian seasoning for your favorite taco seasoning.

Serving Suggestions

These marinated grilled pork chops are a great main dish with simple veggie sides and salads. Pair them with my Black Bean Quinoa Salad or Lemon Quinoa Salad. My Tomato Cucumber Salad is another great option. For veggie side ideas, try my Grilled Vegetable Plate, Crispy Mini Potatoes, or Sweet Potato Fries.

Proper Storage

Leftovers always need to be fully cooled before storing.

  • Fridge: Place them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep them away from direct heat and sunlight when on the counter for serving or reheating.
  • Freezer: This method is for uncooked pork chops. Add raw pork chops with the marinade to freezer-friendly bags. Do this in serving-size portions. Freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then cook as usual.
  • To reheat them: Sprinkle the pork chops with 1/2 teaspoon water. Microwave them for up to a minute or until warm. You can also heat them in a pan over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.

More Pork Recipes To Try

Grabbing a piece of a juicy pork chop with a fork.

Grilled Pork Chops

This thick-cut grilled pork chops recipe with tangy chipotle-lime marinade is a juicy option for your summer cookout menus.
Prep Time4 hours 5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Chipotle Lime Marinade:

  • 2 chipotle chili in adobo sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dried italian spice mix
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2/3 cup lime juice 3 medium limes
  • 3 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Pork Chops:

  • 4 bone in pork chops thick cut
  • Pinch sea salt
  • Pinch of ground black pepper

Instructions

Chipotle Lime Marinade:

  • In a blender, add all ingredients and blend.

Pork Chops:

  • Sprinkle chops on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Set in baking dish or large ziplock bag, add marinade and coat both sides of chops with marinade.
  • Place in refrigerator for 4-24 hours.
  • Set chops out on counter for 30 minutes before you place them on grill.
  • Heat grill to medium high heat.
  • Add chops to grill and close grill cook 4-5 minutes, flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes.
  • Lower heat directly under chops and depending on thickness cook until the chops are somewhat firm to the touch.
  • Remove from heat let rest for 5 minutes, sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro on top and serve.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Categories:

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13 comments on “Grilled Pork Chops”

  1. I’d love to try this, but I can’t find any chipotle chili in adobo sauce that is Whole 30 compliant. Is there a particular brand I should be looking for?

    1. Hey Grace, I found a sugar free variety at my local Latin American Grocery Store. If you can not find one, make your own.
      Combine in a heavy, covered saucepan and simmer until the liquid is reduced to one cup, about 1 hour:
      12 smoked jalapeno peppers or dried chipotle peppers
      6 tablespoons organic tomato ketchup {whole30 approved}
      1 onion, finely diced
      6 cloves garlic, minced
      1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
      1 teaspoon cumin
      1 teaspoon coriander
      1 teaspoon oregano
      1/2 teaspoon salt
      I store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months- though it usually doesn’t last that long 🙂

  2. Dear Amy, your pork chops looks beautiful. I love the flavors of this dish…my family would thoroughly enjoy this. Beautiful platter and plate too! xo, Catherine

  3. Avatar photo
    Aimee @ ShugarySweets

    I love anything that starts with “chipotle lime” and I just so happen to have everything to make this! Going on our menu!!

  4. My husband has been suggesting pork chops for dinner for a while now but… I’m afraid of cooking them! I leave all the meat grilling up to him so perhaps I’ll e-mail him this recipe 🙂

    1. Thanks for sending the recipe his way. I am sure he is happy to do the grilling with you making all those amazing desserts!

  5. Avatar photo
    Arman @ thebigmansworld

    That marinade sounds absolutely perfect for the pork- Not too many ingredients and the spicy flavours I love- Yum!

  6. Avatar photo
    Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness

    I’m majorly depressed that summer is almost over! But I will totally cling onto the last few moments of it with these chops! I don’t eat NEARLY enough pork, and this spicy goodness is making me re-think that! Pinned!

    1. There is nothing better than a summer grilled pork chop. I will miss summer, but I am looking forward to fall apples and pumpkin everything!

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