If you ask me, a good marinade is what takes pork chops from okay to amazing.
This tried-and-true marinade recipe brings together simple pantry ingredients that add just the right balance of sweet and savory flavors to your grilled pork. Garlic and herbs work their magic while a touch of honey helps create that perfect caramelized exterior.
The marinade does all the heavy lifting – just mix, pour, and let time do its thing. After a few hours (or overnight if you’re planning ahead), your pork chops will be ready for the grill, tender and full of flavor.
It’s a foolproof recipe that works every time, perfect for both weeknight dinners and weekend barbecues with friends.
Why You’ll Love This Pork Chop Marinade
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prep this marinade in just 5 minutes and let it work its magic while you’re busy with other things.
- Simple ingredients – The marinade uses basic pantry staples you likely already have on hand – no fancy or hard-to-find ingredients needed.
- Foolproof results – This marinade helps keep pork chops juicy and tender every time, taking the guesswork out of grilling.
- Great flavor balance – The combination of sweet orange juice, savory soy sauce, and tangy mustard creates perfectly seasoned pork chops that aren’t too sweet or too salty.
What Kind of Pork Chops Should I Use?
For grilled pork chops, bone-in cuts are your best friend since they help keep the meat juicy and add extra flavor during cooking. The thickness of your chops really matters – aim for cuts that are about 1-inch thick, as thinner chops can dry out quickly on the grill. While rib chops tend to be the most tender, center-cut chops work great too and are usually easier to find at the grocery store. Just make sure your chops have some nice marbling (those white streaks of fat running through the meat), as this will help keep them moist and flavorful during grilling.
Options for Substitutions
This marinade recipe is pretty flexible and you can make several easy swaps if needed:
- Soy sauce: If you’re out of soy sauce or need a gluten-free option, try coconut aminos or tamari. You can also use Worcestershire sauce mixed with a bit of water, though this will change the flavor profile slightly.
- Orange juice: Fresh lemon or lime juice work great here too. You can even use pineapple juice for a tropical twist. Just make sure to use fresh juice rather than concentrate for the best flavor.
- Brown sugar: Honey or maple syrup are good alternatives – use the same amount. Regular white sugar works too, though you’ll miss that slight molasses flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Yellow mustard or whole grain mustard can step in for Dijon. If you’re out of mustard completely, try a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar instead.
- Bone-in pork chops: While bone-in chops give the best flavor, you can use boneless chops too. Just reduce the grilling time by 2-3 minutes per side since they cook faster.
- Fresh garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. In a pinch, 1 teaspoon of onion powder can work too.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling
The biggest mistake when grilling pork chops is not marinating them long enough – while 30 minutes will work in a pinch, letting them sit for 4-8 hours allows the marinade to really penetrate the meat and create deeper flavor. Another common error is overcooking the pork chops out of fear of underdone meat – modern pork is safe to eat at a slightly pink medium (145°F), and cooking beyond this will lead to dry, tough chops. To ensure even cooking, take your chops out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling and pat them dry with paper towels to help achieve those beautiful grill marks. For the juiciest results, let the grilled pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes under loose foil before serving, which allows the meat’s juices to redistribute throughout instead of running out when cut.
What to Serve With Grilled Pork Chops?
These sweet and savory marinated pork chops pair wonderfully with classic BBQ sides that can handle those bold flavors. A simple baked potato loaded with butter and sour cream makes the perfect companion, or try some grilled corn on the cob to keep that outdoor cooking vibe going. For a fresh element, a crisp coleslaw or a simple green salad helps cut through the richness of the meat. If you’re feeding a crowd, don’t forget to throw some mixed vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions on the grill – they’ll pick up that same smoky flavor and make the meal complete.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: After grilling, let your pork chops cool down and place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Pro tip: store any extra marinade separately if you want to use it as a sauce later!
Make Ahead: You can mix up this marinade and store it in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 days before using it. Or, go ahead and marinate your pork chops for up to 24 hours – just remember that anything longer might make the meat too soft because of the citrus juice.
Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover pork chops without drying them out, wrap them in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes. You can also slice them thin and quickly heat them in a skillet with a splash of water to keep them juicy.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 70-90 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-900
- Protein: 80-90 g
- Fat: 40-50 g
- Carbohydrates: 30-40 g
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 bone-in pork chops (preferably 1 inch thick)
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, garlic, Dijon mustard, and black pepper.
Ensure all ingredients are well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
Step 2: Marinate the Pork Chops
Pour the prepared marinade into a large ziplock bag.
Add all of your pork chops to the bag, ensuring they are well-coated.
Seal the bag tightly and allow the pork chops to marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator to absorb the flavors.
Step 3: Preheat the Grill
While the pork chops are marinating, heat your grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ensure the grill is clean and ready for cooking.
Step 4: Grill the Pork Chops
Once the pork chops have finished marinating, remove them from the marinade and place them on the preheated grill.
Discard the used marinade.
Grill the pork chops for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring they are cooked through.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
After grilling, remove the pork chops from the grill and let them rest on a plate for 3-5 minutes.
This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and juicy pork chops.
Serve and enjoy your delicious grilled pork chops!
