Description
Juicy marinated pork chops elevate weeknight dinners with Mediterranean-inspired zesty flavors. Garlic, herbs, and tangy citrus blend seamlessly to create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce (use low sodium if preferred)
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey (or brown sugar)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
Instructions
- Create a flavor-packed marinade by vigorously blending olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until ingredients form a harmonious liquid.
- Transfer pork chops into a large resealable plastic bag or wide shallow container, ensuring enough space for marinade coverage.
- Pour the prepared marinade directly over the pork chops, massaging the liquid to guarantee complete and even coating of each piece.
- Seal the container tightly and refrigerate, allowing the meat to absorb the robust flavors for a minimum of 30 minutes, with optimal marination ranging between 2-6 hours.
- For grilling, heat the grill to medium-high temperature and cook pork chops approximately 4-5 minutes per side, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 145F (63C).
- Alternative cooking methods include oven baking at 400F (200C) for 15-20 minutes or pan-searing in a hot skillet for 4-5 minutes per side, always ensuring proper internal temperature.
- After cooking, allow pork chops to rest for 3-5 minutes, which helps redistribute internal juices and maintain optimal tenderness before serving.
Notes
- Tenderize chops by gently pounding them to an even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Opt for fresh herbs when possible, as they provide more vibrant and intense flavor compared to dried alternatives.
- For gluten-free adaptation, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the umami depth.
- When monitoring internal temperature, use a reliable meat thermometer to prevent overcooking and maintain juicy, tender pork chops.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg