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Home » Dinner » The Best Pork Chop Marinade

Published: April 15, 2019 Last Modified: April 15, 2019 By Sara 132 Comments

The Best Pork Chop Marinade

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Pork Chop Marinade Recipe | Marinated Pork Chops | Grilled Pork Chops #pork #porkchops #grilling #dinner #dinneratthezoo

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 mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli for a complete meal that everyone will love.

Pork Chop Marinade Recipe | Marinated Pork Chops | Grilled Pork Chops #pork #porkchops #grilling #dinner #dinneratthezoo Pork Chop Marinade Recipe | Marinated Pork Chops | Grilled Pork Chops #pork #porkchops #grilling #dinner #dinneratthezoo

Pork chop marinade for grilled pork chops. The pork chops are on a serving plate garnished with parsley.

Pork chops naturally have a mild flavor which makes them the perfect meat to soak up a marinade. This pork chop marinade produces the best pork chops I’ve ever had –  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.

How do you make a pork chop marinade?

This marinade is a combination of savory and sweet flavors and includes ingredients you probably already have in the house. The base of the marinade is olive oil, which is flavored with lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic and Italian seasoning.

Pork chops in a bowl with marinade being poured over them.

How long do you marinate 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.

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 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 contains sugar which adds great flavor, but can easily burn on the grill. Make sure your grill is not too hot before you add your meat!

A grilled marinated pork chop served over couscous.

Pork chop marinade 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.

Marinated pork chops on a grill pan.

How do you cook pork chops?

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 chop marinade with grilled pork chops served over couscous with green beans.

WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD PORK BE COOKED TO?

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.

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
  • BBQ Pork Chops
  • Brown Sugar Pork Chops
  • Slow Cooker Pork Chops
  • Stuffed Pork Chops
Pork chop marinade for grilled pork chops. The pork chops are on a serving plate garnished with parsley.
Print Pin
5 from 75 votes

Pork Chop Marinade

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.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 128kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 696mg | Potassium: 119mg | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 4.4mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.1mg
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Filed Under: Dinner, Grilling

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    Comments

    1. Deb says

      October 24, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      This is my go-to marinade for pork chops. We usually grill them on a gas grill, or on a stove top cast iron grill pan but tonight we are doing them over charcoal and I saved some of the marinade to baste with. Looking forward to another amazing pork chop dinner!

      Reply
    2. Maryvel says

      July 1, 2022 at 3:52 pm

      What is it you are serving the chops with? Some sort corn salad?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        July 6, 2022 at 9:17 am

        It’s a boxed Israeli couscous mix with corn and bell peppers mixed in!

        Reply
    3. Deb Schultheis says

      May 14, 2022 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this recipe several times now and it is always delicious! I cook the marinade and boil for 5 minutes then simmer until the pork chops are ready to eat. It thickens nicely and makes an excellent sauce!!

      Reply
      • Candice says

        May 19, 2022 at 2:58 pm

        Do you cook the pork chops in the sauce or use it as a sauce after the pork chops are cooked?
        Thanks!

        Reply
    4. Michelle says

      April 27, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      This was very good. I will make again!

      Reply
    5. Deborah says

      April 7, 2022 at 11:54 am

      I want to fry my chops. Do you coat it with anything? Like flour or can I fry it without a coating?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        April 7, 2022 at 12:07 pm

        Here is my recipe for fried pork chops: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/fried-pork-chops/

        Reply
    6. Carol says

      February 22, 2022 at 1:36 pm

      Could I freeze the pork in the marinade?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        February 24, 2022 at 8:48 am

        I think it could work fine although I haven’t tested it myself!

        Reply
    7. Bill Reid says

      January 28, 2022 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      Best pork chop I ever created at home.

      Reply
    8. Snoogle says

      January 23, 2022 at 6:51 pm

      What if I marinade it 24 hours? I doubled the marinade and was glad I did because eight pork chops barely fit to be completely covered.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 24, 2022 at 8:12 am

        That should be fine I just wouldn’t go too long or it can change the texture of the meat.

        Reply
    9. James says

      September 26, 2021 at 6:22 am

      Can I use lime juice instead of lemon juice? Can I fry them in flour afterwards

      Reply
      • Sara says

        September 27, 2021 at 4:18 pm

        Lime juice should be fine, I haven’t fried them in flour before but I believe it could work.

        Reply
    10. Georgina Lindgren says

      August 10, 2021 at 3:41 pm

      Do I need lemon juice? I have pickle onion juice or pickle carrots juice, beet
      Gina

      Reply
      • Sara says

        August 11, 2021 at 10:27 am

        The lemon juice helps to tenderize the pork!

        Reply
      • Sara H says

        June 26, 2022 at 3:42 pm

        You can use any acid in place of the lemon juice. I either use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar and both work just fine!

        Reply
    11. Gail says

      August 2, 2021 at 11:55 am

      Could you substitute Brown Sugar with Stevia for T2 diabetic?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        August 3, 2021 at 6:58 pm

        I think that should work!

        Reply
      • Adam says

        January 7, 2023 at 10:08 am

        5 stars
        Didn’t have balsamic, so I used rice vinegar instead (all I had at the time). I pan-seared mine in cast iron and used what was left to make a quick gravy that actually went great over the pork chops and the mashed potatoes I had made.

        Reply
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