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 chop marinade on 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 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.

Pork Chop Marinade Ingredients

Bowls of ingredients including olive oil, lemon juice, seasonings, herbs and spices.

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.

Step by step process shots showing how to make pork marinade.

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.

Marinated pork chops on a grill pan.

Recipe FAQs

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.

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.

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.

FOLLOW ME

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

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

Love This Recipe?

Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

5 from 105 votes

Pork Chop Marinade

AuthorSara Welch
Pork chop marinade on grilled pork chops. The pork chops are on a serving plate garnished with parsley.
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.
Time
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 minute
Marinating Time1 hour
Total Time6 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Serves 8

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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

Hello! I’m Sara!

Learn more about Sara

Related Posts

Free Bonus

5 Secrets to Meal Planning + Free Toolkit!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 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?

  2. 5 stars
    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).

  3. 5 stars
    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!🤗

  4. 5 stars
    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.

  5. 5 stars
    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!

  6. 5 stars
    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.

  7. 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.

  8. 5 stars
    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.

  9. 5 stars
    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

  10. 5 stars
    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!

    1. 5 stars
      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?

      1. For a large batch, filling up a 2 litre soda bottle. Refrigerate for up to 1 – 1/2 weeks max.

  11. 5 stars
    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.

  12. 5 stars
    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!

      1. 5 stars
        Wonderful pork chop marinade.

        Would it hurt to marinate the pork chops more than 12 hours?