Sweet and Savory Grilled Pork Chops

The fragrant marinade for these pork chops both infuses the meat with tons of flavor and ensures that the rib-cut chops, which already have slightly more fat than a center-cut chop, remain tender and moist on the grill. The sugar in the marinade helps to create a beautiful dark golden brown crust with areas of light charring.

Ingredient :

  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

  • ¼ cup fresh rosemary leaves, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 4 large garlic cloves, smashed

  • 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided

  • 4 (12-ounce, 1-inch-thick) bone-in rib-cut pork chops

Directions :

  1. Whisk together brown sugar, rosemary, oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, thyme, mustard, crushed red pepper, garlic, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper in a medium bowl until well combined. Transfer mixture to a large baking dish or a large ziplock plastic bag; add pork chops (and seal bag, if using), and gently massage to completely coat pork. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap (or lay sealed bag flat on a baking sheet), and let pork chops marinate at room temperature 1 hour, flipping pork halfway through marinating time.

  2. Meanwhile, preheat grill to medium-high (400°F to 450°F). Remove pork from marinade, and gently brush off large solids; discard marinade and solids. Pat pork dry using paper towels; sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

  3. Place pork on oiled grates; grill, uncovered, until chops are deeply caramelized and lightly charred and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of meat registers 135°F, 4 to 5 minutes per side. (Alternatively, heat a lightly-oiled grill pan over medium-high. Place pork on pan; cook until chops are deeply caramelized and lightly charred and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of meat registers 135°F, 4 to 5 minutes per side.) Transfer pork to a large platter; let rest 5 minutes. Serve.