Pork Chop Brine Recipe For Grilling

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The spice rub gives the pork chops a great flavor, and the grilled pineapple makes them the ideal summer dish. These brined pork chops are juicy and tender because they sit in the brine for 1 to 6 hours before being grilled.

A simple brine was all it took. For about two large pork chops (you can use bone-in or boneless), this is how it’s done. You’ll mix about 2 cups of water with ¼ cup of kosher salt and ¼ cup of granulated sugar until everything is dissolved.

How-To: Brine & Cook Pork Chops

Alton Brown Pork Chop Brine 🔗

A great way to add flavor and keep your pork chops juicy.

Prep: 180min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 552 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 73 g, Fat 24 g, Saturated Fat 8 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 228 mg, Sodium 181 mg, Sugar 8 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 24 oz Pork Chops (Bone in (12oz Each))
  • 1/2 cup Kosher Salt (a bit less if you want)
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Tbsp Whole Peppercorns
  • 1/2 Tbsp Mustard Powder
  • 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 lb Ice (to cool Brine)

Instruction:

  1. To make the brine I mixed the salt, brown sugar, ground mustard, and pepper into a decent sized plastic bowl. I then microwaved 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and poured it over the dry ingredients and gave them a nice mix to dissolve everything. Then I tossed in the ice cubes so I wouldn’t be cooking my pork chops in boiling brine. Finally the pork chops went into the brine and the whole thing went into the fridge for 2 hours (no more than 2 hours or you’ll have a salty mess).
  2. Then toss in the ice cubes so I wouldn’t be cooking my pork chops in boiling brine. Finally the pork chops went into the brine and the whole thing went into the fridge for 2 hours (no more than 2 hours or you’ll have a salty mess).
  3. Rinse pork chops under cold water to remove excess salty brine. Pat dry with paper towel and season lightly
  4. Grill pork chops to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

FAQ

Should you brine pork chops for grilling?

Brining pumps them full of moisture, preventing them from drying out. Even a brief dip, about 30 minutes, in the brine will help your pork stay juicy and tender. Pork is a lean meat that can become notoriously bone-dry when cooked.

How long should you brine pork chops?

Rinse the pork chops after brining, discard the brine solution, and pat the meat dry. The meat has absorbed the flavor and plenty of salt during the brining process. Thick-cut, bone-in chops do best in the brine for 1-4 hours, while thinner boneless chops are fine with just 15-30 minutes (or up to 2 hours).

Do you Rinse pork chops after brining?

Pork chops should be rinsed after brining, as you should rinse everything after brining to remove any excess salt from the skin and allow for the addition of flavorings.

Is it better to brine or marinade pork chops?

Brining is essentially a form of marinating that has a higher salt content. The salt gives the pork flavor and helps it retain moisture, so you don’t have to worry about dry pork chops. Using a brine makes the meat more flavorful and tender than a chop that hasn’t been immersed in brine.

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