Best Pork Chop Marinades
Looking for a good pork chop marinade? Here are nine of the best marinades for grilling, oven baking, air frying, and pan cooking to get the most flavorful, juicy, and tender pork chops. Each of these delicious pork chop marinades are easy and quick, making dinner simple and absolutely delicious!
The Best Pork Chop Marinade
You’re going to love these quick and delicious pork chop marinades. A quick pork chop marinade is the easy button to making simple meals super flavorful! When you marinate pork chops, it infuses flavor and gives moisture to the meat. The result is the best-tasting and most juicy pork chops ever
All the ingredients in these pork marinades are budget-friendly and easy to find in your local grocery store, and they only take a few minutes to put together. You can make just one marinade or all nine! Either way, you can find your go-to pork chop marinade in this line up and then use it whenever you need a tasty meal.
So whether it grilling season and you’re throwing those pork chops on the grill, or you’re making them some other way, you can use any of these easy pork chop marinades for the most delicious flavor.
Like my easy salmon marinades or healthy chicken marinades, these easy recipes add great flavor to your meal and are sure to go in your regular dinner rotation! It’s the best way and easiest way to make a perfect pork chop recipe every single time. So let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love these Recipes
A good marinade can make a world of difference. There are so many reasons to love these amazing pork marinade recipes:
- Store-bought marinade just doesn’t cut it most of the time. You can have a much more bold and fresh flavor if you make your own marinade from scratch.
- You can use a simple marinade on any kind of pork chop and any cut of pork. They are super versatile and can be used on other types of meat too! Any of these recipes would be a fabulous chicken marinade. You can also use them on pork kabobs or pork tenderloin.
- Marinating pork is a great way to get a head start on meal prep. Let the meat marinate all day and then cook it when dinner time rolls around! So easy to do and it will add loads of flavor to your weeknight meal.
The Pork Chop Marinades
There are three elements to every marinade: fat, acid, and flavor enhancers. They work together to make the meat more tender and moist, all while infusing amazing savory flavors or sweet flavors. The acidic component is crucial in making the meat tender, so don’t leave it out.
All of these pork marinade recipes are jam packed with flavor and made without anything artificial. Our focus is always on flavor and real, delicious, wholesome ingredients! Most recipes can also easily be customized to fit Keto or Whole30 eating plans! Not to mention, many of these ingredients are pantry staples, so you may not even have to go out and buy something extra.
There’s a lot of variety in the flavors, so there is truly something for everyone! Now tell me in the comments, which will you make first?
- Garlic & Herb
- Double BBQ
- Honey Mustard
- Steakhouse
- Zesty Ranch
- Honey Soy
- Sweet Hawaiian
- Italian Balsamic
- Mexican Inspired
Garlic & Herb Pork Chop Marinade
This marinade is a classic! It’s bright and zesty in flavor and goes with just about any side dish, but I like to serve it with Canellini Bean Salad or a Beet and Feta Salad. You can also add extra garlicky flavor to this marinade with a bit of garlic powder. Here’s what you need to make this easy marinade:
Ingredients
- olive oil
- fresh lemon juice: Fresh squeezed lemon juice will taste so much better than bottled!
- minced garlic: For the best flavor, mince your own fresh garlic instead of using minced garlic from a jar.
- crushed red pepper
- dried thyme
- dried rosemary: Feel free to use fresh herbs instead of dried!
- salt and black pepper
Double BBQ Pork Chop Marinade
If you love a lot of smokey, sweet, and rich flavor, then this marinade is for you! It packs a double punch because it’s flavored with BBQ sauce and BBQ seasoning! Serve these chops with purple cabbage slaw or my broccoli & bacon salad.
Ingredients
- BBQ sauce: Use my sugar-free recipe or your favorite store bought sauce.
- olive oil
- BBQ seasoning: Make your own BBQ seasoning or use any store bought blend.
- apple cider vinegar
Honey Mustard Pork Chop Marinade
The classic warm, zesty, and sweet flavors in the honey mustard marinade go perfectly with lean pork chops! Kids especially love this recipe. I like to serve it with simple salad and sweet potato fries!
Ingredients
- honey: Local honey always has the best flavor and you will also get the added health benefits of local honey if you choose to use it!
- dijon mustard
- apple cider vinegar: You can sub balsamic vinegar in this recipe if you prefer.
- paprika: To add a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika.
- salt and pepper
Steakhouse Pork Chop Marinade
If you love classic steakhouse flavors, then this is the marinade for you! This easy marinade is made with deep, smokey, savory flavors. Serve these fragrant steakhouse pork chops with my roasted parsnip fries or dairy free mashed potatoes.
Ingredients:
- Worcestershire sauce
- dijon mustard
- brown sugar: Light brown sugar and dark brown sugar both work great.
- olive oil
- minced garlic
- Montreal steak seasoning
Zesty Ranch Pork Chop Marinade
If you love ranch as much I do, then you have to make these marinated ranch pork chops! The tangy notes from lemon juice paired with the herbaceous flavor of ranch seasoning is always a crowd-pleaser. Serve with broccoli ranch slaw or roasted broccoli. I also like to have a little side of ranch dressing to dip the tender and juicy pork in too!
Ingredients
- ranch seasoning: Make your own homemade ranch seasoning or use any store bought blend you like.
- lemon juice
- olive oil
Honey Soy Pork Chop Marinade
This honey soy marinade is fabulous on everything from pork belly to pork loin chops, to thick pork chops, and even chicken. It has the perfect sweet and savory flavor combination that you will come back to time and time again. Then serve the finished product with simple roasted vegetables and rice or any Asian-inspired side dishes!
Ingredients
- honey
- soy sauce: You can also substitute coconut aminos if you’re avoiding soy or would like a low-sodium option.
- sesame oil
- rice vinegar: If you do not have rice vinegar on hand, then substitute apple cider vinegar.
- minced garlic
- Optional: Add 1/2 teaspoon sriracha for a little extra heat!
Hawaiian Pork Chops Marinade
Like my Aloha burgers, these Hawaiian pork chops are also deliciously unique. The most incredible flavors for a backyard cookout and all of your summer get-togethers! Inspired by a long ago anniversary trip to Hawaii, this delicious recipe is flavored with sweet pineapple and tangy teriyaki sauce and always make me think happy thoughts. I like to serve these chops with blistered shishito peppers.
Ingredients
- pineapple juice: If you don’t want to buy a whole bottle of pineapple juice, you can drain the juice from canned pineapples in 100% juice and use that! For more bold flavor, add some orange juice into the mix too.
- Teriyaki sauce: Use my soy-free teriyaki sauce recipe if you’re following Whole30 or avoiding soy. You can also use a store-bought sauce if you do not have time to make your own.
- minced garlic
- olive oil
- green onions
Italian Balsamic Pork Chop Marinade
This Italian Balsamic marinade has classically rich Italian flavors. It reminds me a lot of my balsamic chicken recipe because it’s hearty without being heavy. I recommend serving these pork chops with fresh tomato bruschetta or a quinoa and arugula salad.
Ingredients
- Italian seasoning: Make a homemade Italian Seasoning blend or use any storebought seasoning blend.
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- minced garlic
Mexican Inspired Pork Chop Marinade
These Mexican-inspired pork chops are super simple, fresh, and lightly spicy! The bright flavors make these pork chops perfect for your next fiesta or taco Tuesday. Just slice up the pork or shred it and then make tacos! Serve them with some semi-homemade air fryer tortilla chips, pickled onions, and corn salad.
Ingredients:
- olive oil
- lime juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor!
- taco seasoning: Use my homemade taco seasoning recipe or any store bought blend.
- fresh cilantro
How to Marinate Pork Chops
- First, mix together all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl or a glass measuring cup.
- Then place the pork chops in a shallow glass or plastic container, or a resealable bag. It is very important that you do not use a reactive metal container.
- Pour the marinade over the pork, turning it so that all sides of the meat are completely coated.
- Cover and refrigerate the pork as it marinates for 2-18 hours. The longer you marinate, the more flavor your dish will have.
How to Cook Marinated Pork Chops
Whichever cooking method you choose, I’ve got you covered. Here’s how to cook the perfect pork chops:
Grill Instructions
- Preheat your grill to a medium heat of 375°F (190°C) and then oil the grill grates well!
- Allow the excess marinade to drip off of the pieces of pork and then place them onto the hot grill.
- Set the chops on the grill, and cook for 7-9 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Allow to rest for 3 minutes and then serve.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and then pour the pork chops and marinade into a clean baking dish.
- Place in the oven and cook for 20-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Allow to rest for 3 minutes, and then serve with your favorite side dishes!
Air Fryer Instructions
- To cook pork chops in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Allow the excess marinade to drip off of the pieces of pork before placing them into the air fryer basket.
- Spray or brush the air fryer basket with a little oil, then carefully place the pork chops in. Leave space between each piece when air frying pork chops
- Cook for 12-14 minutes, stopping halfway to flip the pork chops, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Let cooked chops rest for 3 minutes and then serve.
Skillet Instructions
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the pork chops and brown for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Then lower the heat and allow the pork chops to continue cooking for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Allow to rest for 3 minutes and then serve hot with your favorite side dishes.
Instant Pot Instructions
- To cook pork chops in the Instant Pot, turn to sauté mode, and heat 2 Tablespoons of oil. Brown the chops for 3-4 minutes per side. Set them aside on a plate.
- Pour in 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth and the marinade. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pot. Once the liquid is simmering, add the pork chops back into the pot.
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 10 minutes if using boneless pork chops. If you are using bone-in pork chops, then set it for 13 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is done, allow for a natural pressure release for at least 10-15 minutes before opening and serving.
- Let the pork chops rest for 3 minutes and then serve immediately!
Expert Tips
- If I’m planning to cook my meat pork soon, I like to marinate meat in a casserole dish. However, if I’m planning to freeze it for later, I use a large freezer-safe plastic bag so that there is a seal. You can also use a shallow dish that has an airtight lid.
- Do not reuse excess marinade! Discard marinade once it has been used.
- To get juicy chops, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chops, and stop cooking once it reaches 145°F (63°C). Once cooked, rest the pork chops for 3 minutes. Keep in mind that the cook time will vary slightly based on the thickness of the chops.
- I use boneless pork chops about 1 inch thick, but you can use thin pork chops or bone-in chops. Just note that the thicker the pork chops, the longer cooking time will be needed. Thick bone-in pork chops will likely need the most time.
- For the best taste, marinate pork chops between 2 and 18 hours. However, you can marinate pork chops for a maximum of up to 3-5 days.
Recipe FAQ
Marinating pork chops infuses the meat with flavor and moisture, which makes it more tender and juicy. That means you should definitely marinate your pork chops to get the best taste! However, you do not have to marinate your pork chops.
For the best flavor, you should aim for about 1/3 cup of marinade per pound of pork chops.
Marinated pork chops can be frozen, then defrosted and cooked later on. Place the pork chops and marinade in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag, then seal. Squeeze out as much air as possible and then freeze immediately. For best quality, use it within 4-6 months.
There can be a few reasons why your pork chops turn out dry and tough. First, don’t let the pork marinate for more than 18 hours, or the marinade will actually begin to work in reverse and make the meat tougher. Second, be sure not to overcook the pork chops. Once the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees f, remove from the heat and allow the chops to rest for at least 3 minutes before cutting.
The best way to marinate pork chops is to mix all the marinade ingredients together in a small dish. Next, place the pork chops in a shallow glass or plastic container or bag and pour the marinade onto the pork, turning it so that all sides of the meat are completely coated. Then cover and refrigerate the pork as it marinates for 2-18 hours.
Related Recipes
- French Onion Pork Chops
- Instant Pot Pineapple Pork Chops
- Air Fryer BBQ Pork Chops
- Dutch Oven German Pork & Sauerkraut
- Brown Sugar Pork Chops
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe!
Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.
9 Best Pork Chop Marinades
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pork chops any kind
Garlic & Herb Marinade
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Double BBQ Marinade
- 1.5 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons bbq sauce
- 2 teaspoons bbq seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Honey Mustard Marinade
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1.5 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Steakhouse Marinade
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Montreal Steak Seasoning
Zesty Ranch Marinade
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 Tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Honey Soy Marinade
- 2 Tablespoon honey
- 1.5 Tablespoons soy sauce or substitute coconut aminos
- 1.5 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or substitute apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Hawaiian Marinade
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons pineapple juice
- 2 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green onion diced
Italian Balsamic Marinade
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1.5 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Mexican Inspired Marinade
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1.5 Tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon cilantro minced
Video
Instructions
Prepare the Marinade
- Add all the marinade ingredients in to small dish and mix together.
Marinate the Pork Chops
- Place the pork chops in a shallow glass or plastic container or bag. Pour the marinade onto the pork, turning it so that all sides of the meat are completely coated.Cover and refrigerate the pork as it marinates for 2-18 hours. Alternately, you can seal the bag or container and freeze the salmon in the marinade for 4-6 months, per USDA.
Cook the Pork Chops
- Grill Instructions: Preheat your grill to 375°F (190°C). Oil the grill grates well. Allow the excess marinade to drip off of the pieces of pork. Set the chops on the grill, and cook for 7-9 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Oven Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Set the pork chops and marinade in a baking dish. Place in the oven and cook for 20-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Allow the excess marinade to drip off of the pieces of pork. Spray or brush the air fryer basket with a little oil, then carefully place the pork chops in the basket, leaving space between each piece. Cook for 12-14 minutes, stopping halfway to flip the pork chops, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Skillet Instructions: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and brown for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Lower the heat and allow the pork chops to continue cooking for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Notes
- Salt and pepper should be added to taste to any of the marinades. Ingredients like seasoning blends, soy sauce, etc., will already contain salt and can vary in saltiness.
- Never marinate meat in a reactive metal container. Instead, use plastic, glass, or ceramic.
- For best quality, aim to marinate meat in the refrigerator for 2-18 hours.
- Don’t reuse marinade.
- Cook pork chops until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C), then rest for 3 minutes, per USDA.
- Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the chops.
