Grilled Honey Garlic Pork Chops with Honey Mustard Sauce

Are you ready for summer food at its finest? We’re all about those grill flavors and nothing says summertime grilling like these lean pork chops that are marinated in a flavorful honey garlic marinade and then grilled to perfection. Add that extra special touch by topping them with our simple and so-popular honey mustard sauce. Fire up the grill, it’s time to make these juicy grilled Honey Garlic Pork Chops!

This recipe was created in partnership with the Minnesota Pork Board.

A simple Pork Chop recipe that’s perfect for summer grilling

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this recipe, which requires just 10 ingredients (and that includes the marinade and the sauce)! The simple Honey Garlic Marinade and easy-to-make Honey Mustard Sauce will have you coming back to this recipe whenever you want a sure-fire grilled dinner that satisfies. These juicy and tender pork chops will make a tasty addition to your healthy summer menu and make the perfect weeknight dinner.

Garlic, Honey, and Pork: A Perfect Flavor Match

To round out your delicious grilled pork chop dinner, we recommend adding our Quinoa Kale Salad with Blueberries and Feta (shown in the pictures below). Or, serve them alongside your favorite vegetable plus rice or baked or mashed potatoes.

Pork chops are a lean, low sodium, highly-quality protein source, which makes them a great option for fueling your body right. Pork is also a great match for many popular flavors. Pair any of the following herbs, seasonings, and ingredients with pork for a delicious meal any time.

Foods that pair well with Pork

One of the reasons we love to build recipes with pork is because it is so versatile. We capitalized on many of the following pork pairings for this easy grilled pork chops recipe.

• Sweeteners: honey, maple, balsamic, brown sugar
• Flavor enhancers: garlic, ginger, onions, mustard, vinegar
• Seasonings: rosemary, sage, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, oregano, parsley
• Vegetables: carrots, green beans, asparagus, squash, dark greens, corn
• Fruits: apples, blackberries, pears, blueberries, grapes
• Grains: quinoa, rice, wild rice

Ingredients to make Honey Garlic Pork chops

Here’s what you need to make this flavorful grilled honey garlic pork chops recipe.

What you need to make the pork chops and marinade:

• Boneless pork loin chops – about 6-8 ounce each and ¾ -1 inch thickness. May substitute bone-in.
• Apple cider vinegar – may substitute lemon juice or white wine vinegar
• Honey – for a different flavor you could substitute maple syrup
• Avocado oil or olive oil
• Coconut aminos – may substitute soy sauce or tamari
• Garlic cloves – pressed or minced or may substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Dijon mustard
• Fine salt and pepper

What you need to make the Honey Mustard Sauce:

This sauce is out of this world! Here’s what you need to make it quickly while the pork chops are grilling:

• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Honey – for a different flavor you could substitute maple syrup
• Coconut aminos – may substitute soy sauce or tamari
• Dried thyme  
• Garlic powder
• Pinch of fine salt and pepper

How to make honey Garlic Pork chops

Here are the quick steps it takes to get these grilled pork chops cooking away:

• Make the marinade: In a small bowl or mason jar with a lid, combine the vinegar, honey, oil, coconut aminos, garlic, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake to combine well to make the honey garlic sauce.
• Marinate the pork: Place the pork chops in a large zip-top bag, glass container or dish. Pour over the dressing and turn pork chops to coat. Marinade in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours for best flavor. 
• Grill the pork chops: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Once heated, remove the pork chops from the marinate (discard marinade) and place pork chops on the grill. Grill pork chops, covered, for 8-12 minutes (cook times depends on thickness) on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F with a meat thermometer. Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving. 
• Mix the sauce: While the pork chops are cooking, prepare the sauce by combining the mayonnaise, mustard, honey, coconut aminos, garlic powder, and thyme in a small bowl. Taste and season with salt and pepper. 

Pork Chop Nutrition Highlights

Is pork healthy? That’s a question that many people have. The answer is, yes. Pork can be part of a healthful eating plan, and it comes with all kinds of nutritional benefits. Here are a few:

• Pork is an excellent source of high-quality protein which supports muscle growth and maintenance.
• Pork is rich in several different vitamins and minerals including thiamine, selenium, zinc, vitamin B12 and B6, niacin, phosphorus, and iron.
• This protein is lean and low in sodium, making it a heart healthy option.

Q&A For Grilled Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Here are answers to some common questions about this pork chop recipe:

• How do I pick the best pork chops?  Look for pork chops that are pinkish-red in color. If you prefer lean, choose chops that have less marbling.
• Can I make this recipe on the stovetop? Absolutely. Honey Garlic Pork Chops can be made in a pan or skillet (preferably cast iron skillet) over medium-high heat. Follow the direction as written in the recipe below, except change the cooking method from grill to stovetop. For a nice sear, turn up the heat just a bit and make sure the pan is nice and hot before adding the pork chops. Turn down the heat after the pork chops have seared to prevent burning.

• Can I marinate the pork chops for less than or longer than the suggested 4-8 hours? Yes. For best flavor we recommend marinating pork chops for 4-8 hours, which allows the flavors to really come together and be absorbed into the pork. But if you’re short on time you could marinate the pork chops for only a quick 30 minutes. On the other end of the time range, we wouldn’t recommend longer than 10 hours of marinating.
• What is the secret to making tender pork chops? The key to a juicy pork chop is to not overcook it. Whole muscle cuts of pork – such as the tenderloin and pork chop – should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145℉.  People tend to overcook pork, which leaves it dry, tasteless, and tough. Cooking pork to 145℉ will leave it tender, juicy, and delicious. Also, marinating helps to tenderize pork chops.
• How should I store leftovers? Store leftover grilled pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel of Half Acre House

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