Learn how to grill thick-cut pork chops that stay juicy and flavorful. A simple marinade and about 12 minutes on the grill make this an easy backyard dinner.
There’s something satisfying about a thick, juicy pork chop fresh off the grill. With just a handful of ingredients and a simple marinade, you can create a flavorful dinner that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend cookout.
The secret to this recipe isn’t a complicated rub or an expensive marinade. A few hours in bottled Italian dressing adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat before it ever hits the grill. From there, it’s simply a matter of maintaining the right grill temperature and cooking the pork to the proper internal temperature.
A Tip for Grilling Pork Chops
One thing we learned while testing this recipe is that thick-cut pork chops cook much faster than you might expect. If you’ve been overcooking pork for years, you’re not alone! An instant-read thermometer takes all the guesswork out of the process and helps you pull the chops off the grill while they’re still tender and juicy.
Ingredients
You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a look at what you’ll need to make these delicious grilled pork chops.
- 2 thick-cut pork chops (about 1 to 1½ inches thick)
- ½ to ¾ cup bottled Italian dressing
- Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Smoked paprika (optional)
How to Grill Thick-Cut Pork Chops
Place the pork chops in a zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the Italian dressing over the top. Turn the chops several times to coat them evenly, then refrigerate for about 3 hours.
When you’re ready to grill, remove the pork chops from the marinade and lightly pat them dry with paper towels. You don’t want to remove all of the marinade—just enough to keep excess oil from dripping onto the flames.
Preheat your grill to 375°F to 400°F.
Place the pork chops over direct heat and close the lid.
After 5 to 6 minutes, check the chops. If they have good color and grill marks, flip them once and cook the second side for another 5 to 6 minutes.
Begin checking the internal temperature after about 10 minutes. Thick-cut pork chops are usually finished in about 12 minutes, but every grill cooks a little differently.
If the outside is nicely browned but the center hasn’t quite reached temperature, simply move the pork chops to a cooler area of the grill, close the lid, and allow them to finish cooking over lower heat until they reach 145°F.
Remove the pork chops from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve and Enjoy!
We had ours with our delicious potato salad and ranch style beans. (Delicious!)
Tips for Success
- This recipe is designed for thick-cut pork chops. Thin pork chops will cook much more quickly.
- Keep your grill between 375°F and 400°F for the best balance of browning and even cooking.
- Because Italian dressing contains oil, keep an eye out for flare-ups. If flames begin to rise, simply move the pork chops to a cooler section of the grill until things settle down.
- Resist the urge to flip the pork chops repeatedly. One flip is usually all you need.
- An instant-read thermometer is your best friend. Pull the chops at 145°F and let them rest before serving.
Why Marinate Pork Chops?
A simple marinade adds flavor while helping keep thick pork chops moist on the grill. Bottled Italian dressing is an easy shortcut because it already contains oil, vinegar, herbs, and seasonings. It creates a flavorful pork chop without a lot of extra prep work.
What to Serve with Grilled Pork Chops
These pork chops pair beautifully with many classic backyard favorites, including potato salad, baked beans, grilled vegetables, coleslaw, honey cream corn, or fresh dinner rolls.
Looking for More Great Pork Recipes?
If you enjoyed these grilled pork chops, be sure to check out some of our other backyard favorites:
- Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin
- Smoked Pulled Pork
- Smoked Candied Bacon
- The Perfect Smoked Honey Ham
- Smoked Pig Shots
- The Ultimate Breakfast Fatty with Chorizo
- Best Bacon Recipes for the Grill and Smoker
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but they’ll cook much faster. Start checking them after 3 to 4 minutes per side to avoid overcooking.
About 3 hours worked beautifully for us, but anywhere from 2 to 8 hours is fine.
Italian dressing contains oil, which can drip onto the burners or coals. Lightly pat the pork chops dry before grilling and move them to a cooler part of the grill if flare-ups occur.
Cook thick-cut pork chops to 145°F, then let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Absolutely. Simply maintain a cooking temperature of about 375°F to 400°F and cook according to internal temperature rather than relying strictly on time.
Final Thoughts
Grilling thick-cut pork chops doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a simple marinade, a properly heated grill, and an instant-read thermometer, you’ll end up with flavorful pork chops that are ready in about 12 minutes. It’s an easy recipe that’s perfect for everything from family dinners to weekend cookouts.
Thanks for Stopping By!
If you make these delicious pork chops and love them, please leave a comment or review. Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?
How to Grill Thick-Cut Pork Chops
These marinated thick-cut pork chops are grilled over medium-high heat until juicy and flavorful. A simple Italian dressing marinade makes this an easy backyard dinner that's ready in about 12 minutes on the grill.
Ingredients
- 2 thick-cut pork chops (1 to 1½ inches thick)
- ½ to ¾ cup bottled Italian dressing
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place the pork chops in a zip-top bag or shallow dish.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the pork chops, turning to coat both sides.
- Refrigerate for about 3 hours.
- Remove the pork chops from the marinade and lightly pat them dry with paper towels.
- If desired, season lightly with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
- Preheat the grill to 375°F to 400°F.
- Place the pork chops over direct heat and close the lid.
- Grill for 5 to 6 minutes.
- Flip once and grill another 5 to 6 minutes.
- Begin checking the internal temperature after about 10 minutes.
- If the pork chops are well browned but not yet at temperature, move them to a cooler part of the grill and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 346Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 124mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 41g