Nothing adds flavour to a pork chop like a good marinade! These Grilled Pork Chops are infused with bright lemon flavours and plenty of garlic.
Terrific to throw on the BBQ – of pan fry them if it’s not grilling season. They brown nicely on the outside and are extra juicy on the inside thanks to the marinade!
Grilled Pork Chops – Marinade
This lemon garlic marinade is SO GOOD with grilled pork chops – though also excellent with chicken and lamb so I’ve have notes for marinating times and cooking directions for those too.
This marinade is a little different to most that I share in that there’s a very high ratio of lemon juice in it. Which means if you leave it for too long, it starts to “cook” the pork – in the same way citrus juices (lemon and lime) is used to “cook” raw fish to make ceviche without going near the stove.
On the plus side, the super marinating strength of lemon juice means that unlike most marinades, you don’t need to leave it overnight for it to work its magic – even 1 hour is long enough!
How long to marinate pork chops?
- 1 hour minimum – you’ll be surprised how much flavour gets infused in such a short time!
- 3 hours is ideal;
- Up to 24 hours is the absolute max – beyond this, the surface texture of the pork turns white which is due to the acid in the lemon juice “cooking” the pork.
Pork Chop Marinade Ingredients
Here are the ingredients required for this simple but highly effective marinade for pork chops:
- Fresh garlic
- Dried oregano
- Lemon juice and zest (zest is where you get the most lemon flavour, the juice is mostly just sour)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
It’s ideal grilled because the high heat will sear the crust beautifully. But it can of course be cooked on the stove as well!
How long should you cook pork chops on the grill?
Cooking pork chops on the grill takes 4 minutes on the first side, then 3 minutes on the other side, followed by a 4 minute rest. This is for pork chops that are around 2cm / 4/5″ thick, 280g/9 oz each, bone in.
I cooked half of these Lemon Garlic Marinated Pork Chops on the stove (photo below) and half on the BBQ (see photo at the top). You can see the difference in the crust, simply because I get a higher heat on the BBQ.
I’ve also provided directions for how to bake these pork chops in the oven – the only way you’ll get a nice browning is to use the grill/broiler for a good 5 – 7 minutes to brown the top side only. So the baking time is considerably reduced to cater for this.
What these grilled pork chops taste like
While there’s a lot of lemon in the marinade, you don’t get sharp sour flavours once the pork chops are grilled because the sharpness of the lemon is tempered once cooked, leaving you with tasty earthy lemon flavours.
And of course, you can’t miss all that garlic!!! – Nagi xx
Try these on the side
- Mrs Brodie’s Famous Potato Salad (for mayo free, try this healthier delicious Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing)
- Lemon Potato Salad – fresh and bright!
- Coleslaw (also see mayo free, healthier Yogurt Coleslaw Dressing)
- Big, fat juicy Greek Salad
- Mexican Red Rice – a fabulous seasoned rice that goes with everything!
And more pork chops recipes
- Another great pork chop marinade – my go to for all occasions!
- Sticky Baked Pork Chops – you probably already have everything required for the sauce!
- French Onion Smothered Pork Chops
- Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops
Marinated Grilled Pork Chops
Watch how to make it
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Lemon Garlic Marinated Grilled Pork Chops
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 3 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano (or other herbs, Note 1)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/3 cup (85 ml) lemon juice (1 large or 2 medium lemons)
- 1/4 cup (65 ml) olive oil
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Pork:
- 4 pork chops bone in , 2cm / 4/5" thick about 280g/9 oz each (Note 2)
- Oil , for cooking
Instructions
- Whisk Marinade ingredients in a bowl (or ziplock bag). Add pork. Marinade for 1 hr minimum, 3 hours ideal, 12 hours max (Note 3).
- Take the pork out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking.
- Shake excess marinade off (but don't wipe dry) and cook using preferred method. Pictured in post served with Minted Yoghurt - see notes!
BBQ:
- Brush grills / plate with oil and heat on high until smoking.
- Place pork on grills and cook the first side for 4 minutes until it is nicely charred. Turn and cook the other side for 3 minutes. Turn the porks on their side to briefly sear the fat side (see video). Transfer to plate, rest for 3 - 5 minutes then serve.
Stove:
- Heat skillet with about 1 tbsp oil over high heat. Add pork and cook for 1 minute, then turn DOWN slightly to medium high. Cook for another 3 minutes, then turn and cook the other side for 3 minutes. Turn the porks on their side to briefly sear the fat side (see video).
- Transfer to plate, rest for 3 - 5 minutes then serve.
Oven:
- Preheat oven to 200C / 390F (fan forced / convection) or 220C / 430F (standard oven).
- Place oven shelf in top 1/3 of oven.
- Place pork on tray. Bake for 15 minutes, then flick to grill/broiler and grill on high for 5 minutes until the surface is nicely browned.
- Transfer to plate, rest for 3 - 5 minutes then serve.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
A new year, a new toy (for both of us).
Oh iRobot, I love you.
This marinade works with fried chicken too! Gonna try it next time with pork. Thank you
Hi Nagi,
Can I use this marinade for pork tenderloin pieces that I will cook as kabob’s on the bbq? Thank you!
Yes 100% Amy!! Enjoy! N x
This was a great recipe but I would have liked a recipe noted for the mint yogurt dip. I made it but wasn’t sure if the ratios were right (still tasted good but I want to be sure I’m making it correctly). Can you post something?
Hi Tammy, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. You can find a minted yogurt recipe here: https://www.recipetineats.com/oven-baked-tandoori-chicken
Thank you soooo much!
This looks delicious! Can I make the marinade in advance…maybe in the morning and add the pork chops when I get home from work? Thank you
Hi Denise, you can marinade max 12 hours – so if you’e within this timeframe it’s safe to marinade in the morning – otherwise you can definitely make the marinade in the morning and chuck the chops in that afternoon ❤️
I made pork thin steaks in this Marinade last night. Oh my stars they were delicious. I only marinated for an hour. They were juicy and tender. I’ll be using this recipe on everything! Thank you. I love your recipes.
I’m so glad you loved it Pauline!!!
YUM. I marinated the pork chops for an hour and they absorbed so much flavour! I served them with your apple walnut salad recipe plus some Spanish quinoa and grilled mushrooms. Thanks Nagi, I can always turn to your blog for inspiration and the results speak for themselves. 🙂
The perfect combo, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Soooo good! I marinated 1in thick boneless chops for 4hrs or so & these came out so juicy and flavorful! Will definitely be making these again.
Thats awesome Kim!
I could not believe how tender and delicious these pork chops were. I only had time to marinade for 1 1/2 hours. My husband is the grill master and agreed saying let’s have these again soon !! Served with your lemon garlic potato salad, another winner. You never disappoint Nagi ! Hugs to Dozer.
Wahoo Betty, great news!
I just made these pork chops on the grill. They made a fantastic meal, flavorful and tender.
Thank you for all the great recipes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Veronica ❤️
Just made these with your greek potatoes… *swoon*. So so so good! And let me tell you, the potatoes are to die for! I’m buying myself extra treadmill time but so worth it!
They are soooo addictive! I’ve eaten more of those potatoes than I’ll ever admit 🙊
Outstanding! Used recipe as written on pork loin chops and cooked them stove top. Perfect!! Thanks
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this LJ! Thank you for letting me know! N x
Made these pork chops last night. Cooked on charcoal grill, took a bit longer to get to proper internal temperature. They were delicious with 1 Hour marinade. Next time I’ll do them longer. I used a mixture of fresh herbs since I have a little garden. About 1/4 C. Mixture of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Highly recommend.
This is going into my recipe folder. I didn’t even have to leave the marinade an hour for the chips to be flavorful and juicy. Thanks!!
That’s great to hear Toni!! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it! N x
Delicious thanks!! I usually do the marinade with soy sauce but ran out so was looking for something different, and this was perfect.