MINNEAPOLIS — One of the most underrated meats for grilling season is pork chops.
But there are a few easy ways to ensure grilled pork chop perfection.
One is to choose the right cut. Bone-in chops cook more evenly and have extra fats that ensure marked juiciness and maximum flavor.
Putting your chops in brine for just 20 minutes is enough to produce a dramatic effect on their finished texture, and you can make a good brine just by using tap water and salt.
Dry the chops after brining, and don't forget to season them well. Use a little oil and a generous amount of salt, if nothing else.
You can also use a seasoning blend made for pork, or make a simple mixture of salt, pepper, sugar, granulated garlic and granulated onion. A little paprika (sweet or smoky) is nice to add additional flavor, plus an appealing color.
Sear chops on both sides over direct, high heat then move to indirect, low heat to finish. Position the bone side toward the hot part of the grill. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the meat and the exact temperature of the grill.
Cook to the right temperature: 140° on a thick chop will result in a perfect final temp of 145° after resting. This is the USDA-recommended safe cooking temp. (Just 13 years ago, the USDA was recommending 160°. Those 15° are critical.) The pork will still be slightly pink in the middle at this safe temperature.
Pro tip: Insert the thermometer sideways through the chop for a more accurate reading. Finish with a glaze or dipping sauce.
Pork is very versatile, so anything from teriyaki sauce to BBQ sauce will work.
Rachael Perron, Kowalski's culinary director, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share this pork chop recipe.
RECIPE: Grilled raspberry chipotle pork chops
(Serves 4)
- 2 cups water, very cold, divided
- 1 tbsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 4 (1" thick) Kowalski's Naturally Raised Bone-In Pork Chops (about 2 lbs. total)
- - kosher salt and freshly ground Kowalski's Black Peppercorns, to taste
- ½ cup Kowalski's Raspberry Chipotle Sauce
- Microwave ½ cup water with salt and sugar until water is very hot but not boiling; stir until water is clear and solids are dissolved.
- In a large, spouted measuring glass, combine hot water with remaining cold water; set brine aside.
- Make 1-2 cuts in the fat around the edge of each pork chop to prevent curling during grilling.
- Put 2 chops in each of 2 large zipper-closure food storage bags; pour ½ of the brine into each bag. Seal bags and let stand at room temperature for at least 20 min. up to 60 min., or refrigerate bags for 1-6 hrs.
- Remove chops from brine; discard brine and bags. Bring chops to room temperature (about 30 min.).
- Preheat grill to high heat; clean grill grates.
- Dry chops with paper towels; season with salt and pepper.
- Grill chops over direct heat until dark grill marks form and meat releases easily from grill grates; flip chops, move away from direct heat and continue grilling on the opposite side, with the bone facing the hottest part of the grill, just until slightly pink in center and meat reaches an internal temperature of 140° (10-14 min. total).
- Remove chops from heat; tent loosely with foil and let rest for 10 min. (internal temperature should increase to 145° as chops rest).
- Toss or brush hot chops with sauce to coat; serve immediately with extra sauce on the side for dipping.
Watch more KARE 11 Saturday:
Watch the latest coverage from KARE11 Saturday in our YouTube playlist:
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.