This pork chop marinade is a blend of garlic, herbs, olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar and Dijon mustard. It produces perfect marinated pork chops every time, and you can use your pork marinade for baked, broiled, grilled or sauteed pork.
Pork chops are a welcome addition to any dinner menu, and this marinated version is a family favorite. Serve your pork chops with Instant Pot mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli for a complete meal that everyone will love.
Pork chops naturally have a mild flavor which makes them the perfect meat to soak up a marinade. This is the best pork chop marinade – tender, juicy and full of flavor. You can bake, broil or grill your marinated pork chops for restaurant quality results that will earn you rave reviews. Add some great side dishes like cilantro lime rice and grilled vegetables for a memorable meal.
Table of Contents
Pork Chop Marinade Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic and pepper.
How Do You Make A Pork Chop Marinade?
Place all the marinade ingredients in a bowl or resealable freezer bag. If you’re using a bowl, whisk everything together. If you’re using a bag, seal the bag and shake well to combine. Place your pork chops in the bowl or in the bag, then marinate for at least one hour.
Tips For Pork Chop Marinade
- This marinade can be made up to 3 days before you plan to use it. Simply store the marinade in the fridge until you’re ready to pour it over your pork.
- You can really use any cut of pork for this marinade such as bone-in pork chops, boneless pork chops, pork loin or pork tenderloin. You can even use the marinade for chicken or steaks! Be sure to check out some of my other great marinade options for other types of meat such as teriyaki marinade, BBQ chicken marinade, London broil marinade and chicken thigh marinade.
- This marinade contains sugar which adds great flavor, but can easily burn on the grill. Make sure your grill or pan is not too hot before you add your meat!
- No brown sugar on hand? Honey is also a great choice!
Quick Tip
It’s important not to overcook your pork, otherwise the chops could be tough. Use a meat thermometer to make sure your pork is cooked properly.
Recipe FAQs
My favorite way to cook marinated pork chops is on the grill. If the weather isn’t nice enough for outdoor grilling, I use an indoor grill pan on the stove. If you prefer, you can bake or saute your pork chops.
Pork chops should be marinated for at least one hour. I recommend marinating your pork chops for a longer period of time for the best flavor, I try to let my pork marinate for at least 6-8 hours.
Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. The easiest way to gauge if your pork is done is to insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the pork – be sure that the thermometer is not touching the bone! Once you’ve reached the correct temperature, remove the pork from the heat and let it rest for 3 minutes before you slice it.
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Flavor Variations
While this recipe is delicious as-is, you can add other ingredients to customize it to your tastes.
- Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Herb Lover’s: Add 1/4 cup fresh chopped herbs such as thyme, green onions, rosemary or parsley. Scrape off the large pieces of herbs before you cook your pork.
- Asian: Use a blend of olive oil, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and garlic.
- Mexican: Use a blend of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, chili powder and onion powder.
Once you try this pork chop marinade, you’ll find yourself using it on a regular basis! My family requests marinated pork chops all the time and I’m always happy to oblige.
More Great Pork Chop Recipes
Mushroom Pork Chops
30 mins
BBQ Pork Chops
40 mins
Brown Sugar Pork Chops
35 mins
Honey Garlic Pork Chops (Slow Cooker)
5 hrs 15 mins
Stuffed Pork Chops
30 mins
Love This Recipe?
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Pork Chop Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a large bowl or resealable gallon sized bag.
- If using a bowl, whisk to combine the ingredients. If using a bag, seal the bag and shake to combine the ingredients.
- Add 2-3 pounds of pork chops, then marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 12 hours.
- Proceed with cooking method of your choice.
Notes
- This marinade can be made up to 3 days before you plan to use it. Simply store the marinade in the fridge until you’re ready to add your pork.
- You can really use any cut of pork for this marinade such as bone in pork chops, boneless pork chops, pork loin or pork tenderloin.
This marinade is the best I’ve had in the 46 years I’ve been old enough to cook. Absolutely fantastic with an excellent blend of flavors. So far I’ve only used it on thick center cut bone in chops that I’ve baked in the oven but looking forward to grilling in a couple of months.
What can I substitute the Dijon with?
You could use yellow mustard or just omit the mustard, it’ll still be great without mustard!