The best pork chop marinade recipe makes your pork chops extra juicy and flavorful. Mine is a mix of olive oil, soy sauce, spicy brown mustard and more, with a touch of hot sauce for a bit of zing. Perfect for grilling, baking, broiling, however you want to cook your pork chops! And just look at that awesome crust.
Easy Pork Chop Marinade Recipe
Do you like pork chops? I do. I enjoy mine grilled or seared on the outside with a nice and juicy inside, and a good level of seasoning.
I'll cook them up in different ways - on the grill, in the broiler, baked in the oven, seared in a pan - and no matter how they are cooked, the best way to get that awesome flavor AND that wonderful juicy tenderness is with a good marinade.
The best pork chop marinade makes your chops extra juicy and flavorful. That's exactly what I have here for you, my friends. I've been experimenting with different marinades for different cuts of meat, and today I'm bringing you my favorite pork chop marinade.
The Best Pork Chop Marinade Recipe
My pork chop marinade is better than the rest, made with a mixture of soy sauce, spicy brown mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, along with brown sugar, seasonings, lots of fresh garlic, and, an extra awesome ingredient - HOT SAUCE!
It adds just a touch of zing, so much better than anything from the grocery store.
This is the best pork chop marinade for grilling, baking, broiling, air frying, no matter how you want to cook your pork chops. Notice the wonderful crust on the chops when you're done, absolutely amazing.
Let's discuss how to make pork chop marinade and why using a marinade is a good thing for your chops.
Why Should I Marinate Pork Chops?
Marinating is an important flavor building component. A good marinade, like this zingy marinade, helps to add moisture to lean cuts of meat as well as tenderize the meat.
Aside from flavor and moisture, marinades can help with digestion and help to reduce carcinogens produced when cooking meats at high temperatures.
How Long Should I Marinate Pork Chops?
Marinate pork chops for at least 1 hour. However, you'll get the best flavor penetration if you marinade your pork chops for 24 hours.
You can marinate them overnight or whip up the marinade in the morning and marinate the chops throughout the day until you're ready to cook later that evening.
Even if you only have a single hour to marinate, it is worth doing it.
Pork Chop Marinade Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Soy Sauce - Key ingredients, my friends! Big flavor combination.
- Minced Garlic
- Light Brown Sugar
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Hot Sauce - Use a good Louisiana style, like Crystal or Tabasco, or use your favorite
- Spicy Brown Mustard - Dijon mustard is a good tangy substitute.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Chili Flakes
- Black Pepper
This marinade is good for four 8-ounce Pork Chops, bone-in chops or boneless chops. You can use other ingredients and seasonings, like onion powder and lemon juice, but these are my preferred ingredients.
How to Marinate Pork Chops - the Recipe Steps
Whisk the Marinade Ingredients. First, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, garlic cloves, light brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, spicy brown mustard, apple cider vinegar, chili flakes and black pepper together in a small bowl. You can also use a large sealable baggie or plastic bag.
Marinate the Pork Chops. Add your chops to the bowl or bag and submerge in the marinade. Marinate for 1 hour minimum, or up to 24 hours for the best flavor penetration.
Discard Marinade and Cook the Pork Chops. When ready to cook, remove the pork and pour the marinade out. Cook the chops however you’d like!
You have different options for cooking up your chops. Here are instructions for cooking them.
Make the Pork Chop Marinade Ahead
One question I always get is - Can I make my pork chop marinade ahead of time? Absolutely, yes. You can make the marinade the day before and refrigerate it until ready to use.
Can I Freeze This Marinade?
You can also freeze your marinade for several months until ready to use. Another trick you can use is to marinate your pork chops in freezer friendly bags, then freeze them with the marinade. They will last a few months this way.
When you're ready to cook, simply thaw, discard the marinade, and cook them up. This makes a wonderful freezer meal.
Internal Temperature for Cooking Pork Chops
No matter how you cook your pork chops, you want to cook them to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F for medium or 160 degrees F for well done.
I like to use my ThermoPop meat thermometer from ThermoWorks (I'm an affiliate). Works great! Almost there!
How to Cook Pork Chops
Oven-Baked Pork Chops
Here are some of my favorite ways to cook marinated pork chops.
For Bone-In Pork Chops / 1-inch thick:
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
- Set the chops in a roasting dish and roast about 25 minutes, turning once half way through, until the pork reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F for medium or 160 degrees F for well done.
- Remove the chops and let rest a few minutes before serving.
For Boneless Pork Chops / 3/4-inch thick:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Set the chops in a baking dish and bake them about 25 minutes, turning once half way through, until the pork reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F for medium or 160 degrees F for well done.
- Remove the chops and let rest a few minutes before serving.
Grilled Pork Chops
For pork chops 3/4 inch thick marinated in grilled pork chop marinade:
- Heat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Add the chops to the grill and cover. Grill for 3-4 minutes.
- Flip the chops and grill another 1-2 minutes. Get those nice grill marks!
- Reduce the heat to medium-low (or, if using charcoal, move the chops to less direct heat) and continue to grill another couple minutes, until the minimum internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 degrees F for medium or 160 degrees F for well done.
- Remove the chops and let rest a few minutes before serving.
Pan-Seared/Sautéed Pork Chops
For pork chops 3/4 inch thick marinated in pork chop marinade:
- Heat a bit of oil in a pan to medium-high heat.
- Add the chops to the sauté for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Continue to sauté another couple minutes, until the pork reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F for medium or 160 degrees F for well done.
- Remove the chops and let rest a few minutes before serving.
Try my air fryer pork chops recipe. Awesome!
NOTE: This pork marinade works for any cut of pork, not just pork chops. Use it as a pork loin marinade, pork shoulder marinade, or any of your favorite cuts of pork.
That's it, my friends! I hope you enjoy your pork chops! Let me know how you wind up making them!
Cookbook Recommendation
If you enjoy spicy cooking, I hope you'll check out my cookbook! 75 easy recipes with big, bold flavor.
- The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)
Recommended Product
Snake River Farms Kurobuta pork chops are exceptionally juicy and full of savory pork flavor. All our pork chops are 100% Berkshire, a heritage breed recognized for abundant marbling and striking pink color.
Buy Kurobuta Pork from Snake River Farms (affiliate link, my friends!)
Try your chops with any of these awesome bbq sauces!
BBQ Sauces for Pork
Try Some of My Popular Pork Chop Recipes
Try Some of My Other Great Marinade Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Perfect Pork Chop Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 4-5 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce Use a good Louisiana style, like Crystal or Tabasco, or use your favorite
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- FOR COOKING: 4 eight ounce Pork Chops bone-in or boneless
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. You can also use a large sealable baggie or plastic bag.
- Add your pork chops to the bowl or bag and submerge in the marinade.
- Marinate for 1 hour minimum, or up to 24 hours for the best flavor penetration.
- When ready to cook, remove the pork chops and discard the marinade. Cook the chops however you’d like!
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 6/26/2023 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 7/24/2019.
Matt says
Made this twice now and was excellent both times. I upped the chili flakes to 1 tablespoon and added an extra tablespoon of hot sauce I used Tabasco sauce. This is a permanent dish in our rotation.
Mike H. says
Happy to hear it, Matt. Thank you for the review!
Clay Schroll says
I used pork steaks versus chops. I could only marinate for 6 hours. I definitely want to do 24 hours next time. The heat level as good but I think I will take it up a notch next time. I enjoyed it and will make again.
Mike H. says
Sounds like a plan, Clay. Enjoy!
Laurie B. says
This is THE best marinade! I used boneless pork chops and marinated them for 48 hrs. The marinade permeated the meat perfectly and was so flavorful! Cooked them on the Blackstone. We will definitely be using this marinade again and again.
Mike Hultquist says
Yes!! Thanks so much, Laurie!!
Paul Abeln says
We made this recipe for dinner this past Thursday evening. We marinated the 1&1/4" thick chops (with the tenderloin) for 24 hours. We added a little apple juice to the marinade. During the grilling, we made a baste with some of the marinade ingredients. That is all we changed. The heat level was perfect! We will definitely revisit this recipe and with only thick cut chops with the tenderloin on!
Mike H. says
Happy to hear it, Paul. Thank you and enjoy!
Donald Presley says
I made this marinade this week for my pork chops and it was amazing simple and more importantly the flavor was awesome.My wife also agreed with me as to the flavor was really good. I followed the recipe as given and will use it in the future for pork chops. I will like to try it on pork stir fry, by slicing the pork in thin strips and partnering will peppers and onions over rice. Truly a great recipe! Give it a try and find out for self.
Mike H. says
Thank you for the review, Donald!
Jackie says
Tried this recipe last night! Marinaded my chops for a couple of hours and baked them in the oven. They were delicious! I especially enjoyed the rendered fatty outer edges (which I would normally discard!) but this time they were perfectly scrumptious and full of flavour! Plan to keep this recipe for any future pork dishes! Thank you for a magnificent recipe! (I have tried your Gochujang sauce as well! It's banging!)
Mike H. says
You are very welcome, Jackie - thanks!!
Dave says
I'm just wondering I've had this marinating for 24 hours and a work-related issue won't allow me to cook this tonight but I could cook it tomorrow so what should I do in terms of the marinade take it out?
Mike Hultquist says
Dave, it would be best to take it out but keep covered and refrigerated, as the marinade can eventually turn the meat a bit mushy if left too long.
Dan Sherburn says
I tried the Perfect Pork Chop Marinade Recipe and because it was a straightforward recipe, I didn't measure everything exactly but formulated to taste. I only marinated for about 8 hours but I can say they were probably the best chops I've had in a while. I did them on the grill and tried to emulate a steak recipe i have by searing them on hot direct heat for a few minutes per side and moving to indirect heat (if needed) to get them up to temperature. Excellent. The neat thing about the marinade is that it's wide open for experimentation and trying different ingredients and making it as "hot" as you'd want.
Mike H. says
Spot on, Dan. You can customize it to your liking, and there are so many ways to do it!
Lee Kallusch says
I was looking for something to make for lunch when I found this recipe - and was off and running! I couldn't marinate the full 24 hours, but the chops were so very tasty even so, and we will be making this again.
Mike H. says
Love it, Lee. Thank you for the review!
Judy says
I loved this marinade. It had just the right amount of heat for me. I followed the exact recipe. I wish I hadn’t cheaped out and bought thicker pork chops. My chops were on the thinner side and I grilled them.
Mike H. says
Thank you, Judy. Next time for sure then! =)
Curtis Petersen says
This elevated a grilled pork chop to amazing levels! I stuck with Mike's recipe. I marinated boneless pork chops about 5 hours then grilled on high heat on a a Treager grill. about 4 minutes per side. for hot sauce I used Texas Pete's. This marinade would be so good on any meat or maybe shrimp? Yum this a repeat !
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome to hear, Curtis! Glad you enjoyed it! I say YES to shrimp!
Roger Goode says
So I made the May Challenge Pork Chop Marinade, but I had a busy day and I have a bad habit of multi-tasking... so I wasn't paying 100% attention when I made the marinade and I ended up adding the same amount of Worcestershire sauce as the soy sauce and the olive oil.. I saw 1/3 cup a couple of times and I just went on auto-pilot.
I caught myself a couple minutes after I had mixed the marinade ingredients, but I decided to run with it anyway... Waste not, want not, y'know?
I marinated the chops in the fridge overnight and cooked them up the next day and... they were great! The flavor may have been a touch stronger than intended... but I like things spicy.
I'll definitely try this one again, and next time I'll try to be a little more careful.
Mike H. says
Sounds like a plan to me, Roger. Never stop experimenting!
Bruce Robertson says
I actually used this marinade on a pork tenderloin I had in the freezer, worked out beautifully on the grill. I'll definitely be using this again.
Mike H. says
Sounds great. Appreciate it!