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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
JW says
Really delicious marinade. My son said they were the best pork chops he had ever tasted. I marinaded the pork chops for several hours and we grilled them. Definitely a keeper recipe!
Paula Schmidt says
I’ve never left a comment about a recipe…and to be honest, the internet is my cookbook!
This recipe has ruined any other pork chop I may be served! It was so simple yet outstanding! I didn’t add salt, as my soy sauce wasn’t low sodium and I was serving this to my folks and aunt and none of them need extra sodium. I also ran out of balsamic vinegar, so I ended up using 1/2 balsamic vinegar and 1/2 balsamic glaze. I served it with a balsamic glazed grilled broccoli. This was a remarkably simple yet tasty meal- a real crowd pleaser with my picky family. #momwin
Sonya says
Hi.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful recipe. Do you have the name of the brand and type of couscous thats in the picture? I really want to try it.
Sara says
Near East Pearled Couscous, Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil flavor. It’s in boxes next to the rice at the grocery store!
Kimberly says
This marinade is exactly what I was looking for. I was wondering…could freeze the pork chops in the marinade to cook at a later date ?
Sara says
Yes that should be fine!
Gem101 says
I found this recipe a few months ago and I have been using this marinade for everytime I bbq porkchop. Everyone, family and friends love it…
I will rate this with 5 stars because by far this is the best porkchop marinade and I do recommend it.
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Cindy says
Can you reduce down the left over marinade from the bag to pour over the chop?
Sara says
Yes that will work!
Anna Leah Caballa says
Are there any alternatives to Worcestershire Sauce??
Sara says
You could omit it if you don’t have it!
Kathleen says
Delicious…had boneless chops.. cooked on ninja air fryer grill!!!
Lorraine Madden says
I have made this several times now and it is always a hit and crowd pleaser! So easy! I use boneless chops and grill them. Tender and delicious! A great alternative to the hum drum bottled barbeque sauce!
Sally Disney says
Will this marinade make the pork chop more tender? And how long And temp if you bake it?
Sara says
It does help tenderize the meat. You can bake at 425 degrees F for 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your chops.
Bill says
Should the marinaded pork chops be refrigerated or left covered on the counter if they’re to be cooked in 1 1/2 -2 hours?
Sara says
You should refrigerate them!
Kelly says
This marinade is hearty and tasty. A great blend of savory, sweet and umami. Thanks for the different versions!
Bill says
Great marinade!!!!!
Marcella says
Can you marinade the pork chops for 24 hrs?
Sara says
Yes that should be fine!
mike says
This was the best marinade I ever tasted! Thank you.
Angela Davis says
Hi….going to try this tonite. Can you provide recipe for what looks like to corn pearl pasta green pepper dish
Sara says
That’s just a box of Israeli couscous pilaf with the veggies added into it!
Monique says
My family loved them. This definately went into the famoniwurmily cookbook. ❤️
Heather Cortez says
I’ve never commented on a recipe before, but this was amazing! I didn’t have brown sugar, so I left it out. My hubby does not care for pork chops…smothers them in A-1. He said it was fantastic…no A-1 needed!
Elizabeth Eedy says
Would like to receive your recipies.
Sara says
You can sign up here! https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/free-toolkit/
Kerveen Marchand says
As for the soy sauce dose it matter if you use dark or light soy sauce?
Sara says
It does not matter!