A great pork chop marinade that will make your pork extra juicy with a terrific savoury flavour and a gorgeous caramelised crust without overpowering the natural flavour of pork. Even 1 hour of marinating makes a remarkable difference!
Just a great pork chop marinade
You know when something hits the pan and it smells so great than even if it’s the first time you’ve made that recipe, you know it’s going to be a winner? This is one of those. 🙂
Plus, the added bonus is that there is a very good chance that all the ingredients are already in your pantry. Checklist:
soy sauce
brown sugar
mustard
garlic
pepper
Worcestershire Sauce (I never spell that right first go! Thank you auto correct).
Soy sauce is the secret ingredient
“Soy sauce?”, I hear some of you think, dubiously.
YES. Soy sauce. NO it doesn’t make this the least bit Asiany (no matter how I spell it, auto correct does not like that word!). It’s a brine that injects the pork with juiciness and it’s better than the basic salt + water brine because it’s got more flavour to it.
If you’ve never tried a soy sauce based brine for a protein before, I think you’re going to be very pleasantly surprised. Watch the video below the recipe – the end when I press down on the pork chop to show how juicy it is. That’s courtesy of the soy sauce!
I’m sharing this Pork Chop Marinade because I got all excited that I finally got a new BBQ. Living by the ocean means that anything that resides outdoors has a limited life and my current BBQ looks like an abandoned burnt out car.
While it’s terrific seared on the grill, it is of course great pan fried as well which is how I usually make it.
If you’re BBQ-ing, try it this Lemon Potato Salad and a garden salad with French Dressing, and have a browse for more Grilling Ideas.
If it’s winter where you are, try this One Pan BAKED Vegetables and Rice – you’ll love the seasoned rice! – Nagi xx
More great pork chop marinades & rubs
Or use the marinades from these recipes for pork: Lime Chicken, Greek Chicken Gyros, Chicken Shawarma
Try these on the side
My favourite back-pocket marinades
These are the ones I use over and over again, made with pantry staples with lots of sub options!
Watch how to make it
Recipe video for this great Pork Chop Marinade! Don’t miss the end when I show how juicy the chops are…
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
A Great Pork Chop Marinade
Ingredients
- 4 bone in pork chops, 2 cm / 4/5″ thick about 280g/9 oz each (Note 1)
- 1 tbsp oil
Marinade:
- 1/3 cup (85 ml) soy sauce (light or all purpose, not dark)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Place Marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag. Massage to combine.
- Add chops. Massage to coat in the Marinade. Marinate for 1 – 24 hours. (Note 2)
- Take the chops out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking.
- Brush BBQ grill or drizzle oil in pan, heat on medium high. Add pork and cook for 4 minutes or until the underside is caramelised and the pork releases from the grill, then turn the chops and cook for 3 minutes (Note 2 for thin chops).
- Baste both sides with residual marinade in ziplock bag, then cook the basted side for 30 seconds before serving. The chops should have a great crust
- Transfer chops to a plate, cover loosely with foil. Rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes:
* Thin chops: 1.25 cm/ 1/2″ thick – 1 hr+
* Thick chops 2 cm / 4/5″ thick – 3 hrs+ COOK TIME for just white (juicy, no pink, reduce by 1 min for hint of blush):
* Thin chops – 3 minutes first side, 2 minutes second side, then 30 seconds on each side for basting.
* Thick chops – 4 minutes first side, 3 minutes second side, then 45 seconds on each side. If your chops are thicker than the Thick Chops, then I’d recommend starting on the stove and finishing in the oven at 180C/350F until the internal temperature is 145F / 63C. 3. Troubleshooting / tips: Once you put the chops on the BBQ, DON’T TOUCH IT! Once it is cooked, it will release naturally from the grills. If it sticks, it’s not ready to turn. If your chops are cooking too quickly and start to burn because of the sugar in the marinade, turn the heat down. Remember, these chops are meant to have a gorgeous chargrilled crust! 4. CRISPY POTATO ROSTI recipe (pictured on the side of the chops) – by reader request, here’s an abbreviated form of the recipe: 2 large brushed (Sebago) potatoes (US: use russet), peeled and grated using a box grater. Grab handfuls and squeeze out excess liquid or do this using a dish towel (clean!). Place in bowl, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tbsp butter + 1 1/2 tbsp oil (I use olive) in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add dollops of potato, spread into pancake shape about 12 cm / 4.5″ wide, 0.75 cm / 1/4″ thick. Press down to compact into rosti, cook for 3 minutes or until deep golden brown. Flip and repeat. Drain on paper towels, repeat with remaining potato, should make 8. Originally posted August 2017, photos replaced in May 2018, some tidying up done in February 2019, no change to recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
This is what a doggie smile looks like!
My niece left some pineapple soda here so that was subbed for OJ. ‘Also Squeezed in some fresh orange.
We will have these Monday night?
“subbed for OJ”? I don’t see OJ in this recipe. Am I missing something?
I hope you love it! N x
This looks really good. I am trying this today. I halved the recipe for two pork chops. I have been marinating pork chops and chicken in soy sauce and garlic for years. It makes the meat really tender
Nailed it Randye!! N x
I’ve used this marinade recipe since the 70’s! I also add grated orange rind or orange juice. You’re right the soy can’t be detected. Don’t overlook the chops! Yum!
So good!!! Already thinking about what else to use the marinade on!
Oh yeah, it’s that good! 😃
We have used it on ribeye steak as well and love it 😀.
Wahoo!!! N x
A great marinade indeed! Your site is my daily go to. Didnt taste like overpowering soy at all. The char from the grill was great. Used boneless pork chops. I made it with roasted potatoes.
Magi today I made your pork chop marinade with the garlic and mustard I went with regular so sauce Worchestshire sauce brown sugar I put them on the gas grill heated 12 of them 400 degrees four min each side they were splendid the family loved them if I had more time to let the chops Mari are they probably would’ve been juicer they were still great thanks for the recipe I’ll use alot of your receipes in the future Lonnie S.
Nagi, looks great……mmmm. Can you marinade this too long? ie 28-30 hrs ok?
Hi Brian, that should be fine 🙂
You left out the coriander!!
No coriander in this recipe John, but by all means you can add it if you prefer! N x
If I don’t have any brown sugar will it make a big difference or is there any substitutions ?
Anything sweet will be fine May! Honey, maple etc
This pork chop marinade is the best ever! My pork chops were 1 1/4” thick and they turned out juicy and flavorful. Thank you for this recipe ❤️
Wahoo! That’s great Michelle!! N x
I only have dark soy sauce. Can I use that? I never knew there was a difference in soy sauce🤷🏻♀️
You can use any soy sauce you have in your pantry. I’ve used regular (which is probably what you have), low sodium and dark. There is virtually no difference.
Hi Sally, this one works with light or all purpose (not dark soy) sorry! N x
Turned out exactly as you said it would. Definitely a keeper, so made another jar to keep for next time, and also try on chicken. WHAT would I do without you? – Have very boring food!
This recipe was true to its name – great marinade recipe. Cooked the pork chop on the BBQ & it was so tasty & tender.
Thanks for posting!
It will be great on chicken Carol!! N x
Worcestershire is pronounced like woostershire. look at the word & you see three words. Wor “war”, chester without the h “cester” and shire.
WOR CESTER SHIRE
Can say it, just can never spell it first go 😉
Perfect!
It made for the tastiest and moist pork steak.
I’m sure this would be equally as delicious with chicken breast which I will try next time.
Thank you Nagi…I love your recipes!!
Another homerun, Nagi. I was surprised that such a simple recipe packed such a punch. Had friends who also made it and they were equally impressed. I wonder what spareribs would be like, using this marinade. Have you tried that?
Hi Robert – that is a fantastic idea! I haven’t tried it but I imagine it would be delicious! N x
My husband and I loved this marinade and we’ve used it with pork steak as well. This will definitely be our go to recipe for marinating pork chops from now on. Thanks.
I’m so happy you loved it Tonja!
Just found this recipe and tried it. Added 1 cup pineapple juice and stuck to the original recipe. I must say my ribs and pork chops were OMG! No leftovers here 🙂 Thanks so much for this recipe.
Definitely going to add the pineapple juice next time.
perfect Jerry!
Another great recipe from Nagi! I normally avoid making pork chops because they usually come out too dry. These pork chops came out super tender and juicy. Absolutely delicious!
Great recipe! Even my picky kids loved it! I appreciate the recommended grill times, temps, and details which you included too.
I’m so glad it was a hit Audrey 🙌
The best marinade. Pork chops,delicious. I made it on the stovetop.
Thanks Nagi for another great recepie.
I’m so glad you loved them Ana!