Home » Blog » Recipes » Pork Chop Marinade

Pork Chop Marinade

Not only is this pork chop marinade packed full of flavor, but it offers you a little extra time and convenience. Make up the marinade the night before and store it covered in the refrigerator. When you get up in the morning, start the chops marinating. By the time dinner time rolls around, you’ll be ready to grill or bake some tasty pork chops. This recipe makes enough marinade for 2 1/2-3 pounds of meat.

Marinated and cooked pork chop

I love grilled pork chops, but I’ve found through trial and error that one of the best ways to get tender, flavorful chops is to either brine or marinate them first. This recipe is my go-to for all things pork chop related. I even use this marinade on pork tenderloin.

Why use a pork marinade when grilling?

The acids in the marinade permeate the connective tissues that tenderize the pork and impart flavor. We recommend marinating tougher cuts of pork, like thick cut pork cuts, pork loin roasts, pork steaks, and country-style pork ribs.

pork chops in marinade

 

Ingredients:

  1. Orange juice: Fresh squeezed is always best. Look for pure orange juice, but avoid concentrates. You can purchase 2-3 medium oranges and juice them yourself.
  2. Vegetable Oil: Use oil that is mild and flavorless. Canola, vegetable, or grapeseed.
  3. Soy sauce: Now we’re talking. Soy sauce will give you that underlying saltiness and umami flavor that is so dang delicious! If you are looking for a gluten-free alternative, substitute with GF soy sauce or tamari for this pork chop marinade.
  4. Savories and Aromatics: Fresh ginger and garlic.
  5. Worcestershire sauce: Offers a subtle touch of sweetness, savoriness, and a slight vinegar-based tanginess. If you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute it with balsamic vinegar.
  6. Spices: White pepper, salt, and paprika are called for in this recipe. Why white pepper and not black pepper? Because the flavor of white pepper is livelier, brighter, and touch sharper than black pepper. It adds a nice boost to this pork chop marinade. If you do not have any in your pantry, you can substitute it with black pepper, pink pepper, or ground mustard.

Making a pork chop marinade:

  • Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl. Once the honey and salt have dissolved into the mixture, it’s ready to use.
  • If made ahead of time, store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • This sauce is also great on larger cuts of pork; double the recipe and use as directed. This recipe makes 1 1/2 cups of marinade.

Pork chop marinating times:

Use 1 cup of marinade per 1- 1 1/2 pounds of meat.

  • standard pork chops (1″-2″ thickness), 4 hours
  • thick-cut or double-cut pork chops (3″-5″), 4-8 hours
  • pork tenderloin, 4 hours
  • pork steaks, 4-8 hours
pork chop marinated and grilled

Tips: 

  • Gauge how much pork chop marinade you will need. If you’re cooking more than 2 thick-cut pork chops, double the marinade recipe. 
  • Make a sauce: You can also double this recipe, use 1/2 of it as a marinade, and reserve the other half to make a sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and add 2-4 tablespoons sugar or honey along with 2 tablespoons water. Simmer mixture, occasionally stirring, until it reduces enough to coat the back of a spoon. Drizzle over cooked pork chops.

Like this recipe? Try these!

Pork Chop Brine

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Ginger-Honey Pork Chops

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops

Cuban Mojo Pork Chops

Apple Butter Bourbon Pork Chops

Brown Sugar Balsamic Pork Chops

Grilled Maple Pork Chops

Marinade for pork chops

Pork Chop Marinade

Not only is this pork chop marinade packed full of flavor, but it offers you a little extra time and convenience. Make up the marinade the night before and store it in the refrigerator. When you get up in the morning, get the chops marinating. By the time dinner time rolls around, you’ll be ready to grill or bake some tasty pork chops. This mixture makes enough 2 1/2-3 pounds of meat.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Marinades/Brines
Cuisine: American
Keyword: marinades, pork marinade
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1.5 cups
Calories: 221kcal
Author: Derrick Riches and Sabrina Baksh

Ingredients

  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • A pinch of salt optional

Instructions

  • Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl. Once the honey and salt have dissolved into the mixture, it’s ready to use. Use 1 cup of marinade per 1-1 1/2 pounds of meat.
  • If making ahead of time, store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • This sauce is also great on larger cuts of pork. Simply double the recipe and use it as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2896mg | Potassium: 580mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 88mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 3mg

Photos by: magone/Depositphotos and Wirestock/Depositphotos

Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches

I began writing about Barbecue & Grilling in 1997 with one mission, to help the backyard chef have the best experience possible.

Bookstore


Recipes

  • Bourbon BBQ Sauce
    This delicious bourbon BBQ sauce has the right amount of sweetness with a subtle tangy kick.
  • Grilled Achiote Shrimp Skewers
    Super easy, flavorful grilled shrimp skewers infused with achiote, citrus juice and savory spices.
  • Texas Pecan Pie
    This delectable pecan pie is a staple at holiday gatherings and potlucks across the Lone Star State.
  • Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
    Grilled chicken breasts with zesty citrus and spicy pepper flavors – perfect for any occasion, from cookouts to quick dinners!
  • Blackstone Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
    These delicious sandwiches are made with tender, juicy steak strips, and topped with sauteed onions, peppers, and gooey cheese!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.