Take your pork chops to the next level with this ultimate pork chop marinade. Whether grilling, baking, or pan-searing, use this marinade for pork chop success!
Why this recipe works
- Flavor boost: Besides being the best pork chop marinade, it is packed full of bold, incredible flavor. Use it on chops or pork tenderloin.
- Tenderize: Not only does this marinade help boost flavor, but it also tenderizes pork chops, keeping them juicy as they cook.
- Convenient: Assemble the marinade the night before and store it covered in the refrigerator. In the morning, begin marinating the chops. By dinner time, you’ll be ready to cook some delicious pork chops.
- This recipe makes enough marinade for 2 1/2-3 pounds of meat.
Why use a marinade for grilled pork chops?
The acids in the pork chop marinade permeate the connective tissues, tenderizing the meat and adding flavor. Marinate tougher cuts of pork, like thick-cut pork chops, pork loin roasts, pork steaks, and country-style pork ribs.
Ingredients
- Orange juice: Fresh squeezed is always best. Look for pure orange juice, and avoid concentrates. You can purchase 2-3 medium oranges and juice them yourself.
- Vegetable Oil: Use oil that is mild and flavorless. Canola, vegetable, or grapeseed work well for this pork chop marinade. Avoid olive oil.
- Soy sauce: For that delicious umami flavor! Substitute with GF soy sauce or tamari for this pork chop marinade if you’re looking for a gluten-free alternative.
- Honey: for an extra hint of sweetness.
- Whole grain mustard: Offers a tangy and mildly spicy flavor to the marinade
- Garlic: For an extra layer of savory flavor. Substitute with Dijon mustard.
- Worcestershire sauce: Offers a hint of sweetness, savoriness, and a slight tang from the vinegar. Substitute with balsamic vinegar.
- Spices: White pepper, salt, and paprika. Sub white pepper with black pepper if needed.
Making a pork chop marinade
- Whisk marinade ingredients in a medium bowl, until ingredients are well combined.
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days until ready to use.
- Double the recipe and use on larger cuts of meat. 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 bone-in pork chops (1″-2″ thickness), 4 hours
- boneless pork chops, 2 hours
- thick-cut or double-cut pork chops (3″-5″), 4-8 hours
- pork tenderloin, 4 hours
- pork steaks, 4-8 hours
- pork loin roast, 6 hours
Tips
- Stay mindful of how much of this ultimate pork chop marinade you will need. If you’re cooking more than 2 thick-cut pork chops, double the marinade recipe.
- Make a sauce: Double this recipe and use 1/2 of it as a marinade, reserving the other half to make a sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of extra honey along with 2+ tablespoons water. Simmer mixture, occasionally stirring, until reduced half. Drizzle over cooked pork chops before serving.
More Pork Chop Recipes!
- 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
The Ultimate Pork Chop Marinade
Give your pork chops a boost of flavor and tenderness with this incredible marinade!
Print Pin RateServings: 1.5 cups
Calories: 224kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (sub with black 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 it ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- This sauce is also great on larger cuts of pork. Simply double the recipe and use it as needed. See marinating times below in notes section.
Notes
- standard bone-in pork chops (1″-2″ thickness), 4 hours
- boneless pork chops, 2 hours
- thick-cut or double-cut pork chops (3″-5″), 4-8 hours
- pork tenderloin, 4 hours
- pork steaks, 4-8 hours
- pork loin roast, 6 hours
Nutrition
Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 3215mg | Potassium: 722mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 392IU | Vitamin C: 87mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg
