Tired of dry and flavorless pork chops? Let’s fix that with this easy pork chop marinade. This simple pork recipe adds a depth of savory herbs, acid, and richness to tenderize the meat and lock in flavor. Say goodbye to dull and hello to delicious.
When it comes to pork chops, a lot of people think they are dry and bland. But we think there are two reasons for that, overcooking the pork (past 145 degrees F) and not using something as simple as a delicious pork chop marinade. So we worked out the perfect quick and easy recipe that adds a layer of flavor so that you can whip up easy grilled pork chops you’ll love.
As far as easy recipes go, we’re convinced that whether you’re marinating chicken to throw on the grill, or using a steak marinade on a tough cut of beef to make it tender, this is the best way to add depth to almost any cut of meat.
Why marinate pork chops?
Marinating pork chops is an easy technique that elevates flavor, tenderness, and juiciness. Ideal for grilling, baking, or pan-frying, it imparts deep tastes and aromas by infusing a blend of herbs, spices, oils, acids, and seasonings. This process also tenderizes through natural enzymes. It helps the meat retain more moisture for more succulent bites.
Ingredients
Nothing about this simple marinade recipe is meant to be fussy or complicated. We use simple ingredients to balance oil, acid, herbs, and umami.
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Oil – We use a mix of neutral cooking oils for marinades. Canola and Avocado are our favorites. We avoid olive oil because it can have a strong, distinct flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce – You can use soy sauce or coconut aminos as substitutes.
- Champagne or red wine vinegar
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Fresh rosemary – thyme or dill are also great additions to this pork marinade.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
It’s easy to customize to your favorite flavors with different herbs and spices. Feeling zesty, add some cumin and lime juice. A tablespoon of Dijon mustard can even boost this, depending on what pork chop recipe you’re making and its flavor profile. If you want something more herbal, add dill and rosemary. Add Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes. This basic pork chop marinade recipe can be tweaked to become your go-to method for adding tons of flavor to juicy pork chops for fast meals.
How to marinate pork chops
This is the best pork chop marinade when you want easy meals. If you pop your marinated pork chops in the fridge before work, you can whip up an easy dinner on even the most busy weeknight.
- Mince the garlic.
- Then, simply whisk all of the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Pour the marinade over your raw pork chops and store in a resealable bag or air-tight container in the fridge until you’re ready to grill. If using a bag, leave a bit of the top unsealed. Then, gently press as much air out as possible before sealing completely.
- When ready to grill, remove the pork from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels before placing it on the grill grates. Any excess marinade can cause flare-ups, so it’s best to remove as much as possible.
- Follow our recipe for grilled pork chops or thick pork chops in the air fryer for an easy dinner idea! It’s great for bone-in or boneless pork chops. This marinade is also perfect for pork loin, or grilled pork tenderloin or even oven roasted pork tenderloin.
