Juicy grilled pork chops are seasoned with a simple farmhouse BBQ rub and cooked over direct heat until perfectly tender and flavorful. The simple brown sugar and spice rub creates a flavorful crust while the pork stays tender and juicy inside.
Made with pantry spices and bone-in pork chops, this easy grilling recipe is perfect for summer cookouts, weeknight dinners, and backyard barbecues.
I'm gonna be honest—when I was growing up, pork chops had a reputation for being dry. Back then, people cooked pork until there wasn't a hint of pink left, and the result was often tough, chewy pork chops that excited absolutely nobody.
But you're in luck because improvements have been made! Pork is safe to eat at 145°F, and using a meat thermometer is the easiest way to make sure your pork chops stay juicy and flavorful. In fact, when readers tell me they don't like pork chops, it's usually because they've only had overcooked ones. If that's you, this recipe might just change your mind.
Why pork chops used to be dry
If you grew up eating pork chops in the 1980s or 1990s (or as my kids say, the olden-days), there's a good chance they were overcooked. For years, many home cooks were taught to cook pork well beyond today's recommended temperature. Modern pork only needs to reach 145°F, which means it can stay tender, juicy, and full of flavor. A simple meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of grilling and helps prevent dry pork chops.
If you don't have a meat thermometer in your kitchen toolkit, I highly recommend one.
Pick This Recipe If
- You need an easy dinner for the grill.
- You want juicy pork chops without a marinade.
- You have pantry spices on hand.
- You're feeding a hungry family on a weeknight.
- You need a simple summer dinner that doesn't heat up the kitchen.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Uses simple pantry ingredients.
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Bone-in pork chops stay tender and juicy.
- No marinating required.
- Great for cookouts, family dinners, and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Pork Chops
- Bone-in pork chops - Bone-in chops help retain moisture and add flavor. You can also use boneless pork chops
- Olive oil
Farmhouse BBQ Rub
- Brown sugar - this makes a really nice crust on the pork chops and helps seal in the juices.
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chili powder
How to Make Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
- In a small bowl, combine all rub ingredients.
- Brush pork chops lightly with olive oil on both sides.
Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the pork chops.
- Grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
Cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Remove from the grill and allow the pork chops to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Farm Girl Tip: Don't skip the resting time. Those five minutes help the juices redistribute throughout the pork chop instead of running out onto the plate.
How Long to Grill Pork Chops
For 1-inch thick bone-in pork chops, plan on approximately 10 to 14 minutes total grilling time over medium-high heat.
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The best way to know when pork chops are done is to use an instant-read thermometer. Pork is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops and the temperature of your grill.
How to Keep Grilled Pork Chops Juicy
The secret to juicy grilled pork chops is avoiding overcooking.
My tips to keep pork chops tender and flavorful every time:
- Choose bone-in pork chops that are about 1 inch thick.
- Cook over medium-high heat instead of extremely high heat.
- Use a meat thermometer.
- Remove the pork chops from the grill at 145°F.
- Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Avoid pressing down on the pork chops while they cook.
Variations
- Make It Sweeter: Add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar to the rub.
- Add a Little Heat: Increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use Boneless Pork Chops: Boneless pork chops work well too. Just reduce the cooking time as needed since they typically cook faster than bone-in chops.
Storage
Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently in the microwave, air fryer on reheat or in a covered skillet over low heat.
Farm Girl Tips
- Bone-in chops help retain moisture and flavor while grilling.
- The brown sugar helps create a flavorful crust on the outside of the pork chops.
- Letting the meat rest before serving helps keep the juices inside.
- Mix up a double batch of the seasoning blend and store it in a small jar for future grilling.
What to Serve with Grilled Pork Chops
Turn these juicy grilled pork chops into a complete summer meal with a fresh salad, grilled vegetables, or one of my favorite backyard barbecue side dishes.
- Summer Corn Salad
- Green Bean Potato Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Grilled Vegetables
- Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
- Corn on the Cob
Frequently Asked Questions
Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F and then allowed to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Bone-in pork chops tend to stay juicier and are more forgiving on the grill, making them a great choice for this recipe.
You can season the pork chops several hours ahead of time and refrigerate them until you're ready to grill.
More pork chop recipes
Recipe
Juicy Grilled Pork Chops with Farmhouse Grill Rub
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, mix together all rub ingredients.
- Brush pork chops with olive oil on both sides.
- Rub seasoning mixture evenly over each pork chop.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill pork chops for 5–7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Farm Girl Tips
- Bone-in chops help retain moisture and add flavor.
- The brown sugar in the rub creates a flavorful crust on the grill.
- Letting the meat rest keeps the juices in the pork.
