PureWow

You’re hosting abarbecueand loading up at the supermarket. You could go forchicken,但这有点单调乏味的。汉堡anddogsare a safe bet too, but maybe not fancy enough for the vibe you’re after. On the other hand,steaksfor a crowd will get expensive fast. Might we suggest choosing pork chops instead? They’re affordable,lean,versatileand quick-cooking, plus none of your guests will see ’em coming. Read on to learn how to grill pork chops for every cookout andpicnicyou ever host.

Psst: Want the TLDR on how to grill pork chops, before you go any further?Essentially, you just soak the chops in a salty brine or acidic marinade to tenderize them and keep them moist, then sear and cook them until the thickest one reaches an internal temp of 145°F.

• Choose the perfect chop.Go for rib chops, which are lean and smooth without being too chewy, or center-cut chops, which boast both the loin and tenderloin. If you use blade chops from thepig’sshoulder, cook them over a lower heat to render out all their tasty fat. Take your pick of bone-in or boneless—just be sure that the chops are at least 1 inch thick so they don’t overcook and dry out. (Thin pork chops are best left for frying.)
• Marinating orbriningthe pork chopsis technically optional, but it never hurts. Not only does a wet marinade help maximize the chops’ flavor, but it also keeps them from drying out. Abrine(aka cold water with salt) is especially great at keeping the meat moist. Let the chops sit for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and feel free to zhuzh up the mixture with dry spices, citrus peels or even sugar, which will help them develop a drool-worthy outer crust.
• Whether you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, thegrates need to be hot and cleanbefore the chops hit them. While the pork chops marinate or brine, scrape the grates clean of any debris with a grill brush. (It will come off even easier once the grill is heating up.)
• Don’t crowd the grill, since overpacking it will lower the temperature and prolong the cooking process. Leave at least 1 inch of space between each chop.
• The USDA recommends letting pork chopsrest forthree minutesbefore cutting or eating them for maximum juiciness.

Grilling pork chops only takes about 20 minutes once they’ve been marinated or brined, so in total, it should take you about 50 minutes to cook them, unless they’re super thick. Before you begin, let the pork chops come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. If they’re too cold, the exterior will overcook before the center is cooked through. Letting them warm up after leaving the fridge all but guarantees a tender interior and impressive outer crust.

• Cast Iron Pork Chops with Cacao-Spiced Rub
• Lemongrass Pork Chops with Carb-Free Yakisoba
• Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple
• Honey-Lime Glazed Pork Tenderloin
• Mustardy Pork Tenderloin with Grapes and Red Onions
• Melted Onions
• Brussels Sprouts Skillet with Crispy Pancetta-Garlic Breadcrumbs
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries
• Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
• Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

_{世界Pireis PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram@cookingwithpire.}