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.
Hayley says
When you say you simmerd the leftover marinade, is it safe to use the marinade that was soaking with the raw pork overtime or make new?
Sara says
You can boil it and it should be fine!
Margie says
Made this tonight. It was fantastic! Marinated thick pork chops for 8 hours. Seared in cast iron pan then finished in oven. Added some of the marinade to dry turkey gravy (with water).
Karen says
Can you provide the recipe for the pearl couscous salad, as shown in the photo? Thanks!
Sara says
It’s a box of pearl couscous pilaf with parsley, green bell peppers and corn stirred in!
Linda says
5 STAR Recipe for sure!
It was delicious, even got a compliment from my father-in-law who rarely comments on my cooking! My husband as well absolutely loved it!🤗
Idelle says
Delicious and easy to prepare. Used pork loin – sliced into thick slices and BBQed 7.5 minutes each side. Simmered leftover marinate without adding anything to serve as a tasty gravy.
Dawn says
I love pork, and this marinade makes it out of this world. You will llove it tool!
Kim says
We absolutely loved this recipe! Great job. The only change I made was that I used Maple syrup instead of brown sugar because, it’s that time of year. Also, I saved the marinade and simmered minimum of 5 minutes and added a bit of cornstarch and water to thicken. Served on a bed of scalloped potatoes with a side of braised carrots and brussel sprouts in maple syrup and butter. Best meal! I would share a picture if I could!
Leah says
My husband and I used this marinade, it was absolutely delicious. By far the bested grilled pork chops we have made. And we have been married for 25 years and tried lots of marinades and recipes.
Sunda says
Love this Marinade. Temperature time for the oven.
Keri says
I absolutely loved this marinade I used it for my pork chops but also for my chicken. My family loved every bite. Best marinade so far. I’m very pleased with the results and all the flavors mesh so good together. I added a little crushed red pepper for a little bit of heat not to much.
Patricia Waller says
My family loved this marinade, pork chops came out really moist, best way to cook is to grill. They were awesome, didn’t change anything in the recipe. Good the way it is.
Brian Petersen says
Really nice marinade. You can exchange the lemon juice for orange juice and the brown sugar with pure maple syrup. I also use this recipe when I grill chicken. Just when I’m about done grilling the chops, I add a light basting of bbq sauce. Be certain not to burn the chops because of the bbq sauce’s sugar content. FLO
Jeanie says
This marinade was SO delicious! We used half the amount of soy sauce & half the amount of balsamic vinegar, each mixed with equal amounts of water (to cut down on the sodium content), and it was still amazing! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Ryan says
I tried this marinade yesterday and it was amazing!
Dee says
Really great flavor, keeps meat moist too. I was wondering how long can I keep this marinade in my refrigerator if I make a large batch for the future anyone?
Sara says
It should be good for 5 days!
Walter Frigole says
For a large batch, filling up a 2 litre soda bottle. Refrigerate for up to 1 – 1/2 weeks max.
Merv says
Made it for the first time tonight in the oven. Very nice!
Maylyne Mamonong says
I marinated the pork chops for almost a day. The meat can out delicious. I grilled them on charcoal grill. As for the leftover marinade, I simmered it until it has thickened and added some butter. It was the best sauce!
My family enjoyed their dinner very much.
Anoushka says
This Marinade is liquid gold!! When reduced down it almost reminds me of that beautiful texan barbecue sauce we tried while visiting the US. Thanks so much for posting!
Donna Mazzei says
Outstanding marinade! Would give it 5 stars…
Shannan says
This was fantastic!! Just the right amount of tang and acid. Yummy!!
Marilynrnmnadcar says
Loved it, would it work with steak
Sara says
Yes that will work!
Tracy says
Wonderful pork chop marinade.
Would it hurt to marinate the pork chops more than 12 hours?
Tracy says
Would it hurt to marinate the pork chops more than 12 hours?
Sara says
It should be ok but I wouldn’t go past 24 hours!