Honey Garlic Pork Chops: Tender pork loin chops are marinated in a simple 4 ingredient marinade that gives these lean pork chops incredible flavor and then grilled to juicy perfection.
This post is sponsored by BJ’s Wholesale Club, but as always, my opinion is 100% my own.
Remember that delicious Instant Pot BBQ Pork I made a few months ago? Well, not only have we been making that recipe on repeat, we also have been stocking up on boneless pork loin from BJ’s.
And every time I head into my favorite wholesale club, I have the butcher cut the pork loin up for me. I have the butcher prepare the pork loin roast in 3 pound roasts which fit perfectly in my slow cooker or pressure cooker, and in 1 inch pork loin chops, which are perfect for grilling.
Grilled Pork Loin Chops
I have to say, that I am a huge pork loin fan. It is relatively lean and is just as versatile as chicken. And just like chicken, pork loin is a blank canvas that needs seasonings.
I love to make a simple marinade with honey and garlic. I also add in a bit of soy sauce for depth of flavor and apple juice. I know, I know, the apple juice is surprising. But instead of oil to thin out this marinade, I wanted to use something that packs an extra layer of flavor–and while you may not think of juice and meat as a classic combination, I bet you think of apples and pork as a classic combination.
Just like my Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipe, and Teriyaki Chicken Packets, fruit juice is my secret weapon to making delicious, tender, slightly sweet meat without adding processed sugars. Trust me, after one bite, I think you will agree these Honey Garlic Pork Chops are incredible!!
How to Cook Pork Loin Chops
Honey Garlic Marinade
I adore the flavors of this simple honey garlic marinade. Only 4 ingredients pack an INCREDIBLE amount of flavor.
Start by seasoning your pork loin chops with salt and pepper. Then whisk together the honey, minced garlic, apple juice and soy sauce. That’s it!! Easy-peasy!
How Long Should You Marinate Pork Chops?
Every marinade requires a different amount of time. For my Lemon Greek Yogurt Marinade, you don’t want to leave in the marinade for more than 4 hours due to the high acidity of the marinade.
For my Honey Garlic Pork Marinade, you can marinade the pork chops (or chicken if you like), for up to 24 hours as it has less acidity than most marinades. I recommend marinating the pork loin chops for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 24 hours.
How to Grill Pork Chops
I prefer to grill my pork loin chops whenever possible. I just love the crispy edges from where the sugar from the honey caramelizes on the pork.
It is best to sear your pork chops quickly over direct heat and then allow to cook more slowly over indirect heat. Don’t worry, this is NOT as complicated as it sounds.
To grill pork chops on a gas grill
Preheat one side of the gas grill to medium-high heat and the other side to medium-low. Place marinated pork chops on direct heat for 1-2 minutes per side, or until seared nicely and able to flip easily. If the pork is resisting being turned, give it a minute longer before flipping. Once the meat is seared move the indirect side of the grill, cover and cook for 4-6 minutes longer, or until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
To grill pork chops on a charcoal grill
Heat charcoal in a chimney. Once charcoal is heated, pour the heated coals on one side of the grill. Place marinated pork chops on direct heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until seared nicely and able to flip easily. If the pork is resisting being turned, give it a minute longer before flipping. Once the meat is seared move the indirect side of the grill, cover and cook for 6-7 minutes longer, or until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Bake Pork Chops
Baking marinated pork chops is an easy method and perfect for rainy or cold days when you don’t feel like grilling.
To bake Honey Garlic Pork Chops, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Remove pork loin chops from marinade a place in 9×13 baking dish and bake until pork reaches 145 degrees–this is about 20-22 minutes.
How to Cook Pork Loin Chops in a Skillet
To cook Honey Garlic Pork Chops in a skillet, preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add in 1 tablespoon oil and remove pork from marinade and wipe off excess marinade. Cook until browned one side (2-3 minutes per side) Turn pork chop over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 4-6 more minutes or until the pork loin chop reaches 145 degrees.
How to Freeze Honey Garlic Pork Loin Chops
If you want to get a jump start on meal prep (and don’t we all?!), purchase a large pork loin from BJs and have your butcher cut into 1-inch slice chops. Make a large batch of Honey Garlic Marinade and then freeze the pork chops right in the marinade.
- Make enough marinade for as many pounds of meat you intend to freeze. Each recipe is enough for 1 pound of meat.
- Place one pound of pork loin chops in freezer safe bag (use as many bags as you need).
- As soon as you pour the marinade over the pork loin chops, tightly seal the bag and place directly into your freezer.
- When ready to make Honey Garlic Pork Chops, place frozen bag of marinated pork in the fridge to defrost overnight. As the pork chops defrost, the marinade works to flavor the pork.
- Grill or bake as recipe directs.
Tips for Perfect Pork Loin Chops
- If you want to make Gluten Free Pork Loin Chops, use Tamari or Gluten Free Soy Sauce in the Honey Garlic Pork Marinade.
- If you need these Honey Garlic Pork Chops to be soy free, omit the soy sauce and add 1 teaspoon kosher salt to the marinade. It will still be delicious!
- I love to use apple juice as the liquid in the pork marinade, but pineapple juice or chicken stock works as well.
- Instead of purchasing a pork loin and having your butcher slice it for you, you can also purchase boneless pork loin chops in your meat department.
- If you want to cook bone-in pork chops, the recipe will remain the same if the pork chops are still 1 inch thick.
- If your pork chops are thicker than 1 inch, be sure to increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes, cooking the pork to 145 degrees.
- You can remove the pork loin chops from the grill, oven, or skillet just below 145 degrees, as they will continue to rise in temperature as the pork chops rest.
- It is very important to rest your pork chops for 5-10 minutes so they can retain their juices.
- These Grilled Boneless Pork Loin Chops are delicious served with Easy Fried Rice or Pineapple Cilantro Rice.
More Pork Loin Recipes
Honey Garlic Pork Chops Recipe
Honey Garlic Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork loin chops or pork loin roast cut into 1 inch slices
- 1/4 cup Wellsley Farms Honey
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce reduced sodium
- 2 tablespoons Wellsley Farms Minced Garlic
Instructions
For Honey Garlic Pork Marinade
- Whisk together the honey, apple juice soy sauce and garlic until well combined.
To Marinate Pork Chops
- I recommend marinating the pork loin chops for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 24 hours.
To Cook Pork Loin Chops
- To Grill Honey Garlic Pork Chops: Preheat one side of the grill to medium-high heat and the other side to medium-low. Place marinated pork chops on direct heat for 1-2 minutes per side, or until seared nicely and able to flip easily. If the pork is resisting being turned, give it a minute longer before flipping. Once the meat is seared move the indirect side of the grill, cover and cook for 4-6 minutes longer, or until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To bake Honey Garlic Pork Chops, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Remove pork loin chops from marinade a place in 9x13 baking dish and bake until pork reaches 145 degrees--this is about 20-22 minutes.
- To cook Honey Garlic Pork Chops in a skillet, preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add in 1 tablespoon oil and remove pork from marinade and wipe off excess marinade. Cook until browned one side (2-3 minutes per side) Turn pork chop over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 4-6 more minutes or until the pork loin chop reaches 145 degrees.
Notes
- If you want to make Gluten Free Pork Loin Chops, use Tamari or Gluten Free Soy Sauce in the Honey Garlic Pork Marinade.
- If you need these Honey Garlic Pork Chops to be soy free, omit the soy sauce and add 1 teaspoon kosher salt to the marinade.
- I love to use apple juice as the liquid in the pork marinade, but pineapple juice or chicken stock works as well.
- Instead of purchasing a pork loin and having your butcher slice it for you, you can also purchase boneless pork loin chops in your meat department.
- If you want to cook bone-in pork chops, the recipe will remain the same if the pork chops are still 1 inch thick.
- If your pork chops are thicker than 1 inch, be sure to increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes, cooking the pork to 145 degrees.
- You can remove the pork loin chops from the grill, oven, or skillet just below 145 degrees, as they will continue to rise in temperature as the pork chops rest.
- It is very important to rest your pork chops for 5-10 minutes so they can retain their juices.
Kristen Chidsey
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Such a great idea – I need to stock up on some pork loin too! And try this yummy, easy recipe – I know we’d love it!
I know you would too Kathryn! Let me know how you enjoy it!
Summer is meant for grilling and this recipe is perfect. I think everyone in my family would love it! Thanks!
Enjoy Erin! I love firing up the grill myself in the summer!
These porks look sooo good! I love how the honey and apple juice from the marinade caramelized on them – yum!
I agree Holly, that caramelized top is perfection!
This is going on my to make list!
This really is just perfect! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
You bet Crystal! So glad you enjoyed.
I want this for dinner!
You should TOTALLY Make this then!