Grilled Pork Chops with Two-Melon Salsa Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long to cook 2 pork chops on the grill? ›

Grilling 2-inch thick pork chops typically requires around 12 to 16 minutes per side on a preheated medium-high grill (about 400°F or 204°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare to 160°F (71°C) for medium doneness.

Thick pork chops are grilled over high heat to develop flavor before moving to low heat to cook them gently—that's how you keep them from drying out. Thick pork chops are 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide, and are ideal for grilling because they take longer and can achieve a really beautiful crispy crust.

There's no need to grill pork chops or even sear them; you can cook them entirely in your oven. Follow our step-by-step guide to achieve the juiciest interior and crispiest crust.

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.

You'll want to grill the pork chops on a gas grill preheated to medium heat. Grill for 6 to 8 minutes on one side, flip over, then grill for another 6 to 8 minutes. That makes the total grilling time for pork chops about 12 to 16 minutes.

On their own, pork chops are a lean, bland cut of meat. Seasoning with salt before cooking is an essential step in bringing out the meat's natural flavors. Season generously, and remember that even a very short brine (just 30 minutes) will improve the taste and texture of the meat.

Grill pork chops over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, then flip to the other side for another 4 to 8 minutes, or until the pork reaches 135 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

Thin pork chops, shrimp, and burgers tend to cook quickly. Leaving the grill lid up will slow the cooking process by reducing the temperature around the meat. For thicker cuts, you want to close the lid to keep the temperature high and even.

If you throw a pork chop on the stove or grill when they are ice-cold, they will easily overcook. The answer: Take your pork chops out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to cook them. During this time, you can season or marinate them and prepare your side dishes. DO rest your pork chops after cooking.

You wouldn't necessarily just season pork with cumin, but mixing it with other seasonings like ginger and lime can enhance the flavour significantly. We'd recommend using ground cumin in recipes like our Pork Kebabs Marinated In Orange & Cumin, where the cumin can bring out the citrus and pork flavours well.

Can pork chops be a little pink? ›

If fresh pork has reached 145°F (62.8 °C) throughout, even though it may still be pink in the center, it should be safe. The pink color can be due to the cooking method or added ingredients.

How do you make pork soft and tender? Soak your pork in a salt-based brine before cooking it using your desired method. Pork chops need to soak between 12–24 hours, an entire pork tenderloin needs to soak for 6–12 hours, and an entire pork loin requires 2–4 days of soaking.

Washing beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces. We call this cross-contamination. Some consumers think they are removing bacteria and making their meat or poultry safe.

The standard cook time for 2-inch pork chops is 4 to 6 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 140°. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before serving. Learn more about grilling pork chops.

While your pork chops are still on the grill, insert the digital meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chop, but not touching the bone, to check the internal temperature. When they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, your pork chops are done.

Preheat grill to 400 degrees (medium high heat). Place pork chops on grill, and allow to cook for 8 minutes per side. Once pork reaches at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit remove from grill (use a meat thermometer to check temperature in the middle of the pork chop).

Let your chops sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before you begin to cook them. If the meat is too cold, the outside will overcook while the inside comes to the right temperature. Giving the pork a little time to warm up will ensure a nice crust on the outside, with a tender center.