Grilled Pork Chops (How to Grill Juicy Pork Chops)
Learn how to grill pork chops on a gas grill. You’ll make juicy grilled pork chops in minutes…just a few simple steps needed. This post will cover everything you need to know for pork chops on the grill.
Pork chops are versatile meat that can be cooked in many ways including pan-baked cooking that I utilized for Honey Mustard Pork Chops recipe. It can also be cooked by pan- frying, add some fruits to make Honey Apricot Pork Chops recipe. This time, I’ve found grilling is one of the quickest, easiest, and most flavorful ways to enjoy them. Just a simple dry seasoning is needed to bring out the flavors in pork. There are a few simple yet critical things you should know for juicy pork chops.
Tips for grilled pork chops
- Bring the pork chops to room temp: As with most meats, you want to bring pork chops to room temperature before grilling. Otherwise, the outside may char before the insides can evenly cook. About 30 minutes is needed to bring to room temperature. This is a perfect time to let the seasonings to soak into the meat.
- Pre-season: Generously coat both sides of pork with salt and black pepper, or other preferred seasonings. I’ll recommend some of my favorites later in this post.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat the gas grill to medium-high. The grill should be hot before you add the pork chops to prevent sticking and create a nice sear.
- Don’t overcook: As with all meats, cook just to the desired doneness.
- Let rest before serving: Let cooked meats sit at room temp 3 to 5 minutes to hold in more juices.
Grilled Pork Chops
Follow the step-by-step instructions below with photos to learn how to grill pork chops.
Let sit at room temp: Start by seasoning the pork chops and letting them sit at room temp for 30 minutes.
Season the pork chops: A simple seasoning of salt and pepper works just fine, but there are many ways to add extra flavor. Try some of the following spices and herbs:
- All-seasoning salt
- Greek seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Lemon pepper
- Garlic salt
- For truly unique flavor, try my Cowboy Rub Pork Chops
Preheat: Turn the gas grill on to medium-high heat, or 400-450° F.
Grill the first side: Place pork chops on lightly greased grill. Close the lid and grill 4 minutes, or until bottoms are browned with sear marks.
Note: Bone-in chops usually contain a bit of extra fat and will create smoke while grilling. This adds extra flavor, but boneless pork chops are still plenty tasty.
Cook the other side: Rotate chops, close lid, and grill 4 minutes more.
If you’re grilling boneless pork chops, they should look like this on the grill:
Check internal temp: The internal temp needs to reach at least 145° F to be safe. I find this temp is the ideal doneness for juicy pork.
Let rest: Once cooked, let pork chops sit at room temp 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Want a condensed version? Read below:
How to grill pork chops
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Coat both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper or desired seasonings. Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
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Preheat gas grill before grilling to medium-high heat, or 400-450° F.
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Add pork chops and close the lid. Grill 4 minutes, or until bottoms are browned with sear marks.
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Rotate chops, close lid, and grill 4 minutes more, or until internal temperature reaches at least 145° F.
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Remove pork chops from the grill and let rest 3 minutes before serving Then add some sides like Potato Salad and Green Olives.
Answers to common questions
Boneless vs. bone in pork chops – which should I use and does the cooking time change?
These are both center cuts and the cooking time is the same for each. Boneless chops will be less juicy but have more meat per pound. A bone-in rib chop can have more flavor due to the extra fat. There is another benefit of the extra fat: while grilling the fat will smoke up and infuse smoky flavor into the meat.
Pro tip: I like to grease the grill grates with vegetable or olive oil for most meats to prevent sticking. This is not required for bone-in pork chops since the fat cooks off and helps lubricate the grill.
How long to grill pork chops
Pork chops take about 8 minutes to cook on the grill over medium-high heat. Rotate halfway through to grill 4 minutes per side and evenly sear. Since pork chops cook so quickly, indirect heat is not needed.
Pro tip: Thickness affects grilling time. The chops I used were about 1 inch thick. Reduce grill time by about a minute on each side for thinner chops and increase for thicker chops.
Should I close the lid when grilling?
It’s best to close the lid when grilling pork loin chops and most meats for even cooking. The outsides will still sear and the built-up heat inside will more evenly cook the centers.
How to know when pork is cooked
The most important factor juicy pork is to not overcook. Grill pork according to the heat and times in this recipe for best results.
Here are a few ways to tell if pork is cooked:
- Internal temp: The easiest and most accurate way is to check with a quick-read digital meat thermometer. The internal temp should reach 145 degrees to be safe.
- Visual check: Cut into the center of the pork with a knife. It should be slightly pink for medium.
Pork chop internal temps
- Medium rare: 145 to 150° F
- Medium: 150 to 155° F
- Medium-well: 155 to 160° F
- Well-done: 160°+ F
How to store leftovers
Let the pork chops sit a room temperature about 10 minutes, then refrigerate or freeze based on the times below.
- Refrigerate in a sealed container up to 3–4 days.
- Freeze tightly sealed up to 3–4 months.
More pork recipes you may like:
- Grilled Pork Satay Skewers
- Cooker Chile Verde Pork
- Carolina Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Garlic Herbed Pork Loin
- Spinach Parmesan Stuffed Pork Loin
- Pesto Garlic Rubbed Roasted Pork Sirloin
- Grilled Peach and Pork Kabobs
- Pork Quesadillas with Homemade Guacamole
If you want to learn how to grill other meats, check out my grilled ribeye or grilled chicken breast guides.
Grilled Pork Chops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 large pork chops about 2 pounds (boneless or bone-in)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Coat both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper or desired seasonings. Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat gas grill before grilling to medium-high heat, or 400-450° F.
- Lightly grease the grill grates, add pork chops and close the lid. Grill 4 minutes, or until bottoms are browned with sear marks.
- Rotate chops, close lid, and grill 4 minutes more, or until internal temperature reaches at least 145° F.
- Remove pork chops from the grill and let rest 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Internal temp: The easiest and most accurate way is to check with a quick-read digital meat thermometer. The internal temp should reach 145 degrees to be safe.
- Visual check: Cut into the center of the pork with a knife. It should be slightly pink for medium.
- Refrigerate in a sealed container up to 3–4 days.
- Freeze tightly sealed up to 3–4 months.
A great recipe! I forgot to close the grill lid but they turned out great. They had perfect grill marks and were nice and juicy. I will use your recipe again and again.
Seasons: I usually use Organic Orange and/or Lemon Peel for an extra flavor. Today, I added a new twist a friends apple jelly – sugar free. Just a thought… Enjoy.
I love how easy pork chops are to grill! These came out great and were just perfect!
They are super easy and yummy! Glad you were able to cook them so well!
These pork chops sounds delicious! I love your step by step photographed post and your recipe. Bookmarking for later.
Thanks so much Irina! I appreciate the feedback and happy grilling.
This is such a handy guide – I didn’t know you could grill them with the lid on but I’ll be doing that next time. Sounds like the perfect blend of oven juicy + grill sear perfection. Yummm!
I usually grill meats with the lid closed, as long as the heat isn’t too high. That way you get more even cooking. Glad you liked the guide!
These chops look so juicy and delicious! I never thought of leaving the meat out to get to room temperature. What a great tip!
It makes such a difference and I try to plan ahead for this. Thanks Patty!
I appreciate all the step by step directions to get the perfect grilled pork chop.
That’s great to hear, thanks Andrea!
I’ve always worried that my chops wouldn’t cook enough in the middle and burn on the outside. Thank you for the directions!!
You’re welcome and thanks for the feedback Andrea!
Thanks for all the tips! I always overcook them, and they come out so dry. This will help me with our next cookout.
So glad you found the tips useful and hope your next grilling is a smashing success. Thanks Lizet!
My family loves pork chops! I can’t wait to try this grilled recipe!
Chops are one of my favorites too!
One of my absolute favourite meals. Thanks for the extra tips!
These pork chops look perfectly grilled. Meat looks juicy and tender. I’m definitely saving this post. Thanks for all the tips. They are much needed.