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Home Pork Recipes

A Great Pork Chop Marinade

By:Nagi
Published:10 Feb '19Updated:28 Apr '21
478 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

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!

Overhead photo of Grilled chops on a plate with potato rosti and salad, made using amade using a great Pork Chop Marinade

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).

A great Pork Chop Marinade

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!

Grilled chops on a plate, made using a great Pork Chop Marinade

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

  • Country Style Baked Pork Chops

  • Lemon Garlic Marinated Pork Chops

  • Or use the marinades from these recipes for pork: Lime Chicken, Greek Chicken Gyros, Chicken Shawarma

Try these on the side

  • Crispy Smashed Potatoes

  • Cauliflower Cheese

  • Mushroom Rice

  • Curried Basmati Rice

  • Everyday Cabbage Salad

  • Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad

Overhead photo of Grilled chops on a plate with potato rosti and salad, made using amade using a great Pork Chop Marinade

My favourite back-pocket marinades

These are the ones I use over and over again, made with pantry staples with lots of sub options!

  • Just a great Chicken Marinade

  • Italian Dressing Chicken Marinade

  • Asian Chicken Marinade

  • Beef Steak Marinade

  • Rosemary Garlic Marinated Lamb Chops


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…

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Overhead photo of Grilled chops on a plate with potato rosti and salad, made using amade using a great Pork Chop Marinade

A Great Pork Chop Marinade

Author: Nagi
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 15 minutes mins
BBQ, Main
5 from 173 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 1722
Recipe video above. This marinade will make any pork chops or steak extra juicy as well as infusing it with great savoury flavour and a touch of sweet. Soy sauce is the secret ingredient - it does not taste the least bit "Asiany" or soy saucey. MINIMUM MARINADE TIME: 1 hr+ for thin chops, 3 hrs+ for thick. 

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:

1. Chops: I used thick, bone in pork chops that were just under 2.5cm / 1" thick. On the bone, slightly trimmed but not much, I like keeping some fat on the edges to keep the pork really juicy! This recipe will work with any quick cook cut of pork - chops, steaks, even tenderloin.
2. Minimum marinade time:
* 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:

Serving: 216gCalories: 348cal (17%)Carbohydrates: 7g (2%)Protein: 35g (70%)Fat: 18g (28%)Saturated Fat: 5g (31%)Cholesterol: 117mg (39%)Sodium: 139mg (6%)Potassium: 607mg (17%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin C: 0.8mg (1%)Calcium: 43mg (4%)Iron: 1.2mg (7%)
Keywords: pork chop marinade
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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478 Comments

  1. Mel says

    August 29, 2023 at 5:52 pm

    5 stars
    This was soooo good! I’m always afraid of cooking pork because it dries out easily, but I can safely say, this was the best pork chop I’ve ever eaten. Ever!

    Reply
  2. Shannon Ham says

    August 9, 2023 at 9:52 am

    The sound is so good and I followed the directions.

    But all I taste is soya sauce.

    Which is okay I guess but kind of was hoping for something more.

    Reply
  3. Gord Lancaster says

    August 1, 2023 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    Where has this recipe been for the last twenty-five years of dry, sort of meh pork chops. Never had a tastier grilled chop and the grilling instructions were spot on, loved the crispy bits. Served with au gratin potatoes and fresh corn. I will likely do again this week. Yum.

    Reply
  4. Natalie says

    July 27, 2023 at 12:04 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely perfect. Used Pork tenderloin on the BBQ. Everyone loved it!

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    July 23, 2023 at 6:19 am

    5 stars
    This marinade on my organically raised pork chop made the moistest, tastiest grilled chop I have ever had! I’ll be having pork chops more often now that I know they won’t be dry and tough.

    Reply
  6. Andrew says

    July 22, 2023 at 12:37 am

    5 stars
    Just had them again last night.
    Never disappoints, even after being in the freezer in marinade for 3 months. So juicy tender and yummalicious!

    Reply
  7. Lynn Lamar says

    July 20, 2023 at 10:35 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic marinade!!!! Was able to get a 2 hour soak on the chops. Grilled to 145* and perfect!!!!

    Reply
  8. Raelene says

    July 7, 2023 at 8:39 pm

    This is the best!! The marinade is absolutely delicious, my husband commented “where did this come from?” meaning, did you buy the pork marinated already? It was so easy and so tasty, it’s a keeper. Thanks Nagi!!

    Reply
  9. Lourdes A. says

    May 22, 2023 at 9:56 am

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe 3 times in the last month!! Sooo good 🙂 It’s amazing how much flavor the chops have after just 1 hour of marinating.

    Reply
  10. Michelle Heath says

    May 4, 2023 at 2:31 pm

    Nagi, PLEASE, please make a recipe for pork chops using orange juice and fresh thyme and sans the mustard. I’ve been all over google and can’t find a recipe that looks appealing. Think I will try this recipe subbing soy sauce for orange juice.

    Reply
  11. Dean says

    April 23, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    Hi,
    Would this marinade be ok for pork spare ribs?

    Reply
  12. Colin C says

    April 22, 2023 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    Only had 3/4 in porch chops. I used all ingredients except green onion(did not have). Baked them in oven after 1 day marinade at 400 degrees for 18 minutes. Was sooo good! Will try w/ green onions & pan version next time!

    Reply
  13. Rosalind says

    April 19, 2023 at 4:28 am

    Its was so easy and very tasty best pork marinade

    Reply
  14. Liz :) says

    April 18, 2023 at 2:25 am

    Made this recipe in a pinch for dinner guests alongside homemade potatoes au gratin and grilled asparagus. It was divine! Our guests raved on and on about the juicy bone in pork chops we made on the grill. This recipe is a winner, especially outside on the grill!

    Reply
  15. Kristen says

    April 17, 2023 at 4:45 am

    Hi Nagi! I’m about to make this recipe but I’m curious, can the pork be frozen and thawed in the marinade? Thanks so much 🙂

    Reply
  16. Claudia says

    March 26, 2023 at 12:32 pm

    5 stars
    I cooked this as written, on a cast iron skillet since it’s late winter in Idaho. Husband LOVED it, wants it added to the rotation.

    Reply
  17. Bec says

    March 12, 2023 at 11:38 pm

    5 stars
    This is now a family fav. The cooking directions are spot on – followed them to the letter and the pork was so juicy and tender.

    Reply
  18. Kell says

    February 25, 2023 at 8:56 am

    5 stars
    Another Great marinade! Worth keeping a copy in the cubbord door for quick reference. Used with boneless thick pork steaks sliced in half – on the grill…flavorful and juicy. Family loves it!!

    Reply
  19. Tanya says

    February 12, 2023 at 9:05 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I used thin pork steaks, marinated it for only an hour and it was so flavourful. The kids devoured it. Highly recommend. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Char says

    February 5, 2023 at 12:21 pm

    5 stars
    These were great! Followed the recipe as written. Very flavorful, tender and juicy. Thank you!

    Reply
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