Best Pork Chop Marinade

4.7
(212)

This pork chop marinade is the best I've ever made. I started throwing things together in a bowl and I'm so glad I wrote it down. The flavor is best when pork is grilled. Try it and see!

Overhead angle looking down at two juicy pork chops with a side of greens
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Additional Time:
6 hrs
Total Time:
6 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
2

This pork chop marinade recipe ensures perfectly tender, juicy, and flavorful pork chops every time. 

How to Marinate Pork Chops

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Pork Chop Marinade Ingredients

Make this simple pork chop marinade recipe with olive oil, garlic, dark brown sugar, lemon juice, spicy brown mustard, dried thyme, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, white wine vinegar, mesquite-flavored seasoning, dried parsley flakes, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. 

Tip: Increase the amount of marinade if cooking a larger portion.

How Long to Marinate Pork Chops

Marinate the pork chops in the refrigerator for about six to eight hours before grilling. This will result in perfectly flavorful, tender meat every time. 

How to Grill Marinated Pork Chops

To grill the pork chops: 

  1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. 
  2. Grill chops until nicely browned on each side and slightly pink in the center, about 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chop should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

What to Do With Leftover Marinade

You may be tempted to reuse the marinade straight from the bag, but don't. A used marinade is not safe to use as-is. The bacteria from the raw meat could make you (and your dinner guests) very sick.

All that flavorful marinade doesn't have to go to waste, though: You can make it safe-to-eat by boiling the liquid for several minutes. This process will also reduce the liquid, resulting in a thick sauce that'll work well with your freshly cooked pork chops.

Learn more: How to Safely Reuse a Meat Marinade

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“This was great,” according to LaurieC. “I used a pork tenderloin and then boiled the marinade for a sauce. Will definitely be doing this again!”

"This marinade is fantastic,” raves Elaine. “So many flavors at one time. Definitely my favorite. The only change I made was to substitute Cajun seasoning for the mesquite seasoning.”

“Delicious,” says Victoriaren. “Made this for a large dinner party and got rave reviews. I used thick-cut pork chops, bone-in, and grilled them over charcoal. The flavor from this marinade is fantastic. Not too obvious, but unique.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings

  • 2 large pork chops

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped

  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard

  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon mesquite-flavored seasoning

  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley flakes

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    All ingredients for Best Porkchop Marinade gathered in small bowls on marble surface

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Place pork chops on a flat work surface. Slice horizontally through the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Open the two sides and spread them out like an open book.

    Two pork chops cut on a cutting board

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Whisk olive oil, garlic, brown sugar, lemon juice, mustard, thyme, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mesquite seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; pour into a large resealable plastic bag.

    Ingredients for Best Pork Chop Marinade whisked together in a clear bowl

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Add pork chops, coat with marinade, squeeze out excess air and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator, 6 to 8 hours.

    Pork chops and marinade in a ziplock bag

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Remove chops from marinade and shake off excess. Discard remaining marinade.

  6. Cook chops on the preheated grill until nicely browned on each side and slightly pink in the center, about 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of each chop should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

From the Editor

The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of marinade. The actual amount consumed will vary.

405 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

756 Calories
42g Fat
30g Carbs
62g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Calories 756
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 42g 53%
Saturated Fat 9g 43%
Cholesterol 160mg 53%
Sodium 1451mg 63%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 62g 124%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 87mg 7%
Iron 4mg 22%
Potassium 950mg 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.