How Long to Cook Pork Chops on the Grill

Grilled Pork Chops

Pork chops are a lean cut of meat, making them a great healthy option for a lighter summer meal. However, for the same reason, they can be difficult to cook properly.

They are known for their tenderness (if you cook them right!), flavor, and ability to be cooked in various ways. 

Internal Temperature of Pork Chops

Always use an instant-read thermometer to determine doneness. Grill temperature,  the thickness of your pork chops, and the type of grill all impact how long it takes to cook pork chops on the grill. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to achieve tender chops every time.

Pork chops should be cooked to 145°F followed by a minimum of a 3-minute rest period.

Pro tip: Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the pork.

Pull it off the grill when it reaches 145 degrees f, which results in juicy pork with just a little pink in the center. We like to let ours rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps lock the juices in. 

How Long to Grill 1-Inch Pork Chops

It takes 9-12 minutes to grill 1-inch pork chops on medium heat (400°F). Sear the pork chops for 3 minutes on each side to achieve gorgeous grill marks then transfer the pork chops to indirect heat for 5-6 more minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 145°F in the thickest part of the pork chop. 1-inch chops are ideal for grilling, as they tend to cook more evenly and retain moisture.

You may be wondering if bone-in pork chops take longer to cook.  As long as the pork chops are about 1 inch in size, the bone should not affect the cooking time. However, the bone will start to affect the grill time for thick pork chops(larger than 1 inch).

Pro tip: Utilize two-zone grilling to cook the middle to the perfect temperature without the outsides becoming too charred. Thicker bone-in chops can take up to 15-20 minutes.

Remember: Although time is a nice guideline for a recipe, the absolute most important factor when cooking pork chops on the grill is to pay attention to internal temperature. Pork is perfectly cooked through, juicy, and safe to eat at 145°F.

How Long to Cook Pork Chops on a Gas Grill

It takes approximately 10 minutes to cook a perfectly grilled pork chop on a gas grill at 400°F. Here’s a breakdown of grill times based on the thickness of the chops. 

• Thin pork chops: chops that are less than 1 inch will take somewhere between 5-10 minutes to grill at 400°F.
• 1-inch pork chops: take 9-12 minutes to grill at 400°F. This is true for both boneless or bone-in pork chops.
• Thick boneless pork chops: chops larger than 1 inch can take 10-15 minutes to grill at 400°F.
• Thick bone-in pork chops: the bone starts to affect grill time if it’s larger than an inch, so thick bone-in pork chops can take up to 15-20 minutes to grill.

Best Cuts of Pork For Grilling

Pork chops are categorized based on the location they are cut from the pig’s loin.  The two most common cuts of pork and the ones most suitable for grilling are rib chops and loin chops. 

Rib chops are cut from the rib portion of the loin while loin chops are cut from the center, also known as center-cut rib chops.  You can purchase bone-in loin chops or boneless chops, but they’re both very lean, making them ideal for quick grilling.

You should be able to find each one at your local butcher or the meat counter at the grocery store. Other cuts of pork chops include blade chops and shoulder chops.

Marinade, Rub, Brine, or Sauce: Which to Use

Marinades, rubs, and brines are three different techniques used to enhance the flavor, tenderness, and moisture of all meat, including pork chops. Here’s a breakdown of each method.

Pork chop marinade: this is a liquid mixture of ingredients used to soak meat for a specific period, typically for a few hours or overnight, to infuse it with flavors and sometimes tenderize the meat. Marinades are ideal for boneless pork chops or thinner cuts, as the liquid can easily penetrate the meat and infuse flavor, similar to marinading chicken. We love a marinade featuring soy sauce, dijon mustard, olive oil and garlic.

Pro tip: use leftover marinade to make a glaze for your pork chops. It’s safe to reuse the leftover marinade as long as it boils on the stove for 5 minutes. The mixture will reduce down significantly, so be mindful of the amount of salt in the marinade because the glaze could become too salty.

Dry rub:  is a dry mixture of herbs, spices, salt, and sometimes sugar that is applied directly to the surface of the meat, creating a flavorful coating. They create a delicious crust when cooked. Rubs are ideal for both bone-in and boneless pork chops and are applied to the meat just before cooking.

Pork Chop Brine: this is is a saltwater solution that you soak the meat in for several hours prior to cooking. Just like a chicken wing brine, using a brine onoo pork chops helps the meat retain moisture during cooking, and the salt allows the meat to absorb more liquid and become more tender. 

Additionally, you can add sauces like our Whole30 BBQ sauce, an apple cider glaze, or a mushroom sauce to the meat after cooking to complement the flavors of the pork.

Pairing and Serving Grilled Porkchop

Serve pork chops as a standalone main dish or pair them with various sides and sauces. They go well with roasted or grilled vegetables like these garlic-roasted mini peppers or this grilled zucchini salad that make easy sides.

And pork is always good with potatoes, like these crispy roasted pesto potatoes or dairy-free mashed potatoes.

If you want a salad as a simple side for the main course, this grilled peach salad is the one.

While we’re big fans of pork chops, we love all pork around here — not just juicy chops. It should be no surprise that some of our favorite pork recipes are tacos. These pork tenderloin tacos and ground pork tacos are both a must-try. And nothing says summer like this instant pot pulled pork made from pork shoulder or instant pot country-style ribs.

Storing Tips

Allow the leftover meat to cool to room temperature and place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave covered in a damp paper towel until warmed all the way through. Be careful not to reheat them too much or they can dry out.