Marinating pork chops before cooking them can add a lot of flavor and help keep the meat moist and tender. There are many benefits to marinating pork chops that make it a highly recommended practice for home cooks and professional chefs alike. In this article, we’ll look at why you should marinate pork chops, the best marinades to use, how long to marinate, and some delicious recipes to try. Keep reading to learn why marinating your pork chops is a simple way to take them from bland to grand!
Why Marinate Pork Chops?
There are several key reasons why marinating pork chops prior to cooking is advisable:
Adds flavor
The main benefit of marinating pork is that it allows the meat to soak up extra flavor. Pork itself can be relatively mild in taste, but marinating gives you an easy way to infuse it with lots of excitement for your palate. A marinade usually contains acidic ingredients like wine, vinegar or citrus juice which help to tenderize the meat, as well as oil and seasonings. As the pork sits in the marinade, the flavors are absorbed into the meat, so you’ll end up with a much more vibrant, tasty end result.
Keeps pork moist
Pork chop meat can dry out easily during cooking. Marinating introduces extra moisture into the meat, which then helps it stay juicier when exposed to heat. The acid in the marinade partially breaks down the muscle fibers, allowing the moisture and flavors to better penetrate. A well-marinated chop will turn out much more tender and succulent.
Tenderizes the meat
Linked to moisture, marinating also helps tenderize pork chops. Acidic ingredients like citrus, vinegar, wine, yogurt and tomato help to slightly breakdown the tough muscle fibers. This allows seasonings to better penetrate the meat for more even flavor, and leaves the pork with a pleasantly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture after cooking.
Enhances browning
A salty, oil-based marinade promotes good browning and caramelization when the pork hits the pan or grill. The sugars and amino acids interact to form that lovely crust, while the oil encourages browning. Well-browned chops have tons of depth of flavor from the Maillard reaction.
Provides extra nutrition
Many marinades contain nutrient-rich ingredients like fresh herbs, garlic, spices, citrus and olive oil. As these flavors infuse into the pork, you get the added bonus of extra vitamins and antioxidants. The small amounts can complement the protein, iron, thiamine and zinc already present in pork.
Best Marinades for Pork Chops
You have endless options when it comes to marinade flavors and recipes for pork chops. Here are some all-star marinade ideas that pair fantastically with pork:
Garlic, herbs and olive oil:
This simple Mediterranean-style marinade adds tons of flavor with minimal fuss. Combining olive oil, minced garlic, Italian herbs like oregano or basil, lemon, and seasonings like salt and pepper deeply seasons the pork. The oil and acid provide moisture and tenderness.
Soy sauce, honey and ginger:
For an Asian twist, marinate chops in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated fresh ginger and garlic. The salty soy, sweet honey and ginger flavors pair so well with pork.
BBQ sauce:
Your favorite barbecue sauce makes a quick and easy marinade for pork. The tomato, vinegar and spices in the sauce give a sweet, tangy and robust flavor.
Jamaican jerk marinade:
For spicy Caribbean flavors, marinate pork chops in a blend of jerk seasoning, brown sugar, lime, garlic, onion, peppers and thyme. The citrus helps tenderize while the spices add heat.
Fruity salsa:
Chops soaked in a fresh mango, peach or pineapple salsa marinade take on tropical notes. The fruit tenderizes while also lending brightness and natural sweetness.
How Long to Marinate Pork Chops
For best results, pork chops should marinate for at least 30 minutes up to overnight. Here are some marinating time guidelines:
30 minutes:
The minimum marinating time will still impart some flavor and moisture into the meat. This works well for thin-cut boneless chops.
1-2 hours:
2 hours allows more flavor penetration and tenderizing for thicker bone-in or boneless chops.
4-8 hours:
Marinating for several hours in the refrigerator will maximize the impact on flavor and texture. Longer time works for larger chops.
Overnight:
An overnight marinade gives the acid, salt and spices even more time to work their magic. Great for big, thick pork chops and strong marinade flavors.
Marinated Pork Chop Recipes
To get your inspiration going, here are 3 delicious marinated pork chop recipes to try:
Ginger Soy Glazed Pork Chops
Marinade:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Whisk marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add 4 bone-in pork chops and turn to coat. Let marinate 30 min – 1 hour.
- Remove chops from marinade, reserving extra. Grill chops over medium-high 5 minutes per side until cooked through.
- In a saucepan, simmer reserved marinade until reduced to a glaze, 5 minutes. Brush glaze over pork chops before serving.
Balsamic Apple Pork Chops
Marinade:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Process all marinade ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour over 4 boneless pork chops in an airtight bag or dish. Marinate 4-6 hours.
- Remove chops from marinade and grill over medium heat about 6 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Serve chops topped with extra slices of apple.
Jerk Pork Chops
Marinade:
- 3 Tbsp Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 habanero or jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
Instructions:
- Mix all marinade ingredients in a zip top bag. Add 4 bone-in or boneless chops and marinate 1-2 hours.
- Remove chops from marinade and pat dry. Grill over medium-high heat about 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Serve with rice, beans and mango salsa.
Tips for Marinating Pork Chops
Follow these tips to successfully marinate pork chops for perfect, flavorful results:
- Trim excess fat – This helps the marinade better penetrate the meat.
- Use a nonreactive dish – Glass, stainless steel or zip top bags work best vs. reactive metals.
- Turn the meat – Occasionally flip chops while marinating for even coverage.
- Chill while marinating – Keep in the refrigerator vs. room temp.
- Remove from marinade before cooking – Drain, pat dry and discard used marinade.
- Adjust seasoning before cooking – The marinade can reduce saltiness.
- Use leftover marinade as a sauce – Boil to reduce contamination risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about marinating pork chops:
Should pork chops be marinated before grilling?
Yes, marinating is highly recommended for grilled pork chops. The marinade provides extra moisture, flavor and tenderness to prevent the chops from drying out over the high heat of the grill.
What is the best marinade for grilled pork chops?
Some top marinade contenders for grilled pork chops include zesty barbeque sauce, garlic herb marinades, Asian marinades with soy sauce, ginger and sesame, and fruit-based salsas and chutneys.
Can you marinate pork chops too long?
It is possible to over-marinate pork chops. More than 24 hours can make the texture mushy. For best results, limit marinating time to 12 hours or less. Large cuts of pork can handle longer times.
Should pork chops be marinated in the fridge or on the counter?
Always marinate pork chops in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. The chill of the fridge helps prevent bacteria growth.
Is it safe to use the leftover marinade as a sauce?
Only if it is thoroughly boiled first to eliminate contamination risk from the raw pork. Let it come to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes before using as a sauce.
Conclusion
Marinating before cooking is an excellent way to add flavor, moisture and tenderness to pork chops. A simple marinade of oil, acid and seasonings infuses the meat for juicier, tastier results. Allow at least 30 minutes for marinating, up to overnight for maximum impact. Grill, bake, pan sear or broil marinated pork chops for a simple yet impressive dinner. With the endless marinade possibilities, you can put a flavorful spin on plain pork any night of the week. Give one of the recipes above a try for a quick and delicious marinated pork chop meal.