Perfect Grilled Pork Chops with Sweet BBQ Pork Rub
I’ve been so excited to share these pork chops for my American Eats series as one of the foods that Iowa is known for! Did you know that around one-third of the pork raised in the United States comes from Iowa? Most of that pork is eaten here in the United States and when you buy pork at almost any grocery store across the U.S., you are supporting family farms in Iowa and the United States. I feel like pork chops get overlooked, especially during grilling season. But you guys! They can be so amazingly juicy and tender and good that they rival any other barbecue favorites! The key to a perfect grilled pork chop is using both sides of the grill (one with direct heat and the other with indirect heat) and using a reliable digital meat thermometer (affiliate link). Another big factor is using an amazing sweet and savory rub, like the one I’m sharing here. Also, be sure to use tongs to turn the pork chops rather than stabbing them with a fork while they are on the grill. The juices are what make properly grilled pork chops so mouthwatering and good, and you lose a lot of them when you pierce the meat. Definitely don’t cut into the meat while it’s on the grill to check to see if it’s done! We love the other white meat! Some of our other favorite ways to use it are in Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Barbacoa, Grilled Thai Pork Tenderloin, and Classic Southern Smothered Pork Chops.
What kind of pork chops should I buy for grilling?
There are three kinds of pork chops that I like to buy for grilling: rib chop, loin chop, and boneless chop. Regardless of which pork chop you choose, you will want them to be at least 1-inch thick. I will even ask the butcher to cut a 1 1/2-inch bone-in center cut rib chop or loin chop for me if I don’t see pork chops that look thick enough, because thin pork chops just don’t work well for this type of grilling.
Rib Chops
A lot of people consider a center cut rib chop to be the best cut of pork chop. A rib chop grills up super tender with wonderful pork flavor, which is why so many people like it. It comes from the rib section and has a large bone on one side.
Loin Chops
I used thick-cut pork loin chops when I took pictures for this post. You will notice in the pictures that this pork chop cut has a t-bone in the middle, with two different kinds of meat on either side. There is lighter loin meat on one side and darker tenderloin meat on the other side.
Boneless Chops
Truthfully, I usually don’t grill boneless pork chops unless I’m planning to brush the grilled pork with plenty of tangy barbecue sauce. Boneless chops are the leanest cut of pork and it is very easy to overcook it, resulting in pork chops that are not as tender and juicy as bone-in grilled pork chops. You can certainly make boneless pork chops work on the grill if that’s what you have on hand, just watch your meat thermometer closely and maybe think about basting the chops with barbecue sauce, in addition to the rub I’m sharing here.
How to grill pork chops
To grill pork chops, you are going to set up your grill for two different cooking zones so there is a hot zone over direct heat (i.e., right over the flame or heat source), and another zone over indirect heat (i.e., not right over a flame). If you have a charcoal grill, stack your briquettes off to one side to create an area with more heat for the initial sear, with less briquettes on the other side. If using a gas grill, leave the burners off or just turn them to low on one side so that you have a spot for cooking over indirect heat. Then do the initial sear of the pork chops directly over the flames before transferring the meat to the other side of the grill for let them cook through more slowly. The initial sear caramelizes the sugar in the sweet BBQ pork rub and seals in the juices, but the low heat side of the grill lets the pork chop cook all the way through without drying it out.
How long does it take to grill pork chops?
First, a little disclaimer: The time it takes to grill pork chops will depend on the particular cut (bone-in pork chops tend to take longer than boneless), the thickness of the pork chops, and the grill and meat temperature before you start grilling. That said, a 1-inch thick boneless or bone-in pork chop usually takes around 10 minutes to reach 145°F on the grill. Thicker 1 1/2-inch to 2-inch thick pork chops typically take around 15 to 20 minutes. I find I have the best results using 1 1/2-inch thick bone-in pork chops, which is why I will often go talk to the butcher if I don’t see the particular cut or thickness I want on the shelf. Keep in mind though that while having a timeframe is helpful for grilling pork chops, it’s no substitute for a good meat thermometer.
What temperature should grilled pork chops be?
Grilled pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. To check doneness, I always use a digital meat thermometer (affiliate link) to measure the temperature at the thickest part of the meat, making sure not to touch any bone which can give you a skewed reading. Once you reach the desired internal temperature, remove the meat from the heat and let them rest for three to five minutes for the juices to redistribute. People used to think pork needed to be cooked to higher temperatures to ensure food safety, but that’s no longer true. It’s totally fine for there to be a blush of pink inside when you slice the pork chop! In fact, that’s what I’m shooting for! It means your pork chop is going to be super juicy and delicious rather than dry and tough.
Sweet BBQ Pork Rub Ingredients
brown sugar kosher salt freshly ground black pepper paprika chili powder garlic powder onion powder dried oregano
How to Make Perfect Grilled Pork Chops
What should I eat with grilled pork chops?
Pork is a protein powerhouse, so any of your favorite barbecue side dishes that you would typically pair with other barbecue favorites will go well with grilled pork chops. Potato salad, BLT pasta salad, Hawaiian macaroni salad, grilled corn salad, this fluffy cottage cheese jello salad, and of course boiled corn on the cob all go really well with grilled pork chops.
More Pork & Pork Chop Recipes You Might Like
Smothered Pork Chops Creamy Apricot Pork Chops Grilled Thai Pork Tenderloin with Coconut Lime Peanut Sauce Grilled Pork Tacos al Pastor Pork Piccata Linguine French Onion Smothered Pork Chops Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops Juicy Grilled Honey Mustard Glazed Pork Chops and see all my pork recipes here!
More States I Have Visited in my American Eats Series
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