Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Pork Chops

This is truly the perfect 15-Minute Grilled Pork Chops recipe! A simple seasoning and a few minutes on the grill yields juicy, tender meat for an easy dinner any night of the week.

There are a handful of recipes that the whole family loves -- and that we therefore serve on repeat! These delicious grilled pork chops are one of those great meals that comes together in minutes with just a few very basic ingredients. They always get rave reviews (even from picky little kids)!

The Best Cut of Meat for Grilled Pork Chops:

Pork chops are a loin cut perpendicularly to the spine of the pig and usually containing a rib or part of a vertebra. There are four major sections where pork chops come from:

• Shoulder Chops (also called Blade Chops): This dark-colored meat has a lot of fat and connective tissues, and some blade bone. This cut has a lot of flavor, but it also contains a lot of tough gristle, so the meat does best when it's tenderized or braised in slow, moist heat. Shoulder chops are well suited for the slow cooker.
• Rib Chops (also called Center-Cut Rib Chops): These come from the rib section of the loin, and have a bone running along one side and sometimes a layer of fat on the outside. Rib chops from the blade end have more fat and connective tissue than chops from the shoulder end. These chops are very tender and have a mild flavor. Since the meat is lean, rib chops do best with quick cooking like grilling, broiling, or sear-roasting.
• Loin Chops (also called Center-Cut Loin Chops): This cut comes from the hip and loin toward the back of the animal. Loin chops cut toward the center of the loin will have a T-shaped bone that has loin on one side and tenderloin on the other. Sometimes the more tenderloin present, the higher the cost. Top loin chops will have no tenderloin. Like rib chops, they should be cooked quickly, so grill, broil, or sear-roast these chops.
• Boneless Chops (also called Pork Loin Filets): These chops come from the head of the loin above the loin chops. Boneless pork chops are basically top loin or rib chops with the bones removed. Cook boneless pork chops the same way as rib or loin chops — grilling, broiling, or sear-roasting.

In short, you can use this easy grilled pork chops recipe with rib chops, loin chops or boneless chops. Our preference is always a 1-2 inch "thick-cut" chop. The chops shown here each weighed about 8 ounces and measured about 1.5-inches thick.

How to make Grilled Pork Chops:

You only need a few pantry staples and about 5 minutes to prepare these pork chops for the grill. Let's get started!

Ingredients:

• Pork chops
• Olive oil
• Seasoning blend: garlic powder, kosher salt, dried parsley, dried minced onion and dried basil

Step 1: Prepare the Seasoning

We're using our favorite all-purpose or "house seasoning" on these chops, which is a simple blend of equal parts garlic powder, kosher salt, dried parsley, dried minced onion, and dried basil. We use this seasoning on everything from pork to salmon, chicken to pasta, salads and roasted veggies. It's truly an all-purpose mixture that makes almost anything taste better, so feel free to mix it up in bulk and keep it in your pantry for any variety of other uses!

Step 2: Season the Pork Chops

Pat the pork dry, rub with olive oil, and then sprinkle with seasoning. I typically use about 1 teaspoon of olive oil per chop and about ¼ teaspoon of seasoning on each side. You can obviously adjust these amounts to suit your personal taste, though.

Step 3: Grill the Pork Chops

Heat the coals, gas grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking, and then grill the chops for about 5-6 minutes per side. The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

Pork Chop Grill Time Chart:

The total cooking time for your pork chops will depend on the size and thickness of your meat, as well as the temperature of your grill and whether you're using bone-in or boneless chops. Here's a handy chart that provides a closer approximation for your reference:

Again, the best way to know when your meat is done is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

How to serve Juicy Grilled Pork Chops:

This versatile meat pairs nicely with almost any of your favorite sides.

Side Dishes that go with Grilled Pork Chops:

• Salad dressed in Buttermilk Dressing or Green Goddess Dressing
• Classic Pasta Salad
• Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon
• Skillet Cornbread
• Secret Ingredient Jiffy Cornbread or Pumpkin Muffins
• Southern Macaroni Salad
• Coleslaw
• Southern Collard Greens
• Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
• Easy Potato Salad
• Cowboy Baked Beans
• Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
• Sauteed Kale with Bacon
• Rice or pesto pasta

Wines that pair well with Savory Grilled Pork Chops:

Pork chops are a pretty neutral white meat, so they pair nicely with acidic, fruity white wines. Good options include:

• Riesling
• Pinot Grigio
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay

Preparation and Storage Tips:

• Prepare a batch of the seasoning blend in advance, so that the pork chops only require a few minutes of actual hands-on prep before they go on the grill.
• Store leftover grilled pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Wrapped tightly, the grilled pork chops will last in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• How to reheat grilled pork chops: Place the pork chops in a dish and cover with foil. Warm in a 350 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes, or just until heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, or they will become tough and dry.
• You can grill pork chops from frozen, but you will need to increase the cooking time by about 50 percent. Again, use a meat thermometer to know when the pork is done.

Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:

• This recipe works well with bone-in or boneless pork chops. Just adjust the cooking time according to the size and thickness of your meat (refer to the chart above). Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. A juicy pork chop with some pink in the middle has been given the official "okay" by the USDA.
• Adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. You can use a prepared all-purpose seasoning, barbecue seasoning, cumin, paprika, ground red pepper (for spice), any combination of your favorite herbs, or just keep it simple with salt and pepper.
• Health Benefits of Pork Chops: Grilling pork chops can be a healthy way to prepare this lean cut of meat. Pork chops have 24 grams of protein in a 3-ounce portion and offers a good source of zinc. A 6-ounce grilled pork chop seasoned with olive oil and all-purpose seasoning has about 250 calories, 13 grams of fat, zero carbohydrates, and 31 grams of protein. This is a Keto-friendly and low-carb option.

More pork chop recipes that you might enjoy:

• Quick Marinade for Pork Chops on the Grill
• Dump-and-Go 4-Ingredient Baked Pork Chops
• Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops
• Stovetop Pork Chops with Apple Cider Gravy
• 5-Ingredient Pan-Fried Pork Chops