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Close-up of perfectly grilled pork chops with grill marks and a flavorful spice rub.

Juicy Pork Chops

This recipe provides instructions for preparing juicy pork chops using a brine and a flavorful rub.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Standing Time 30 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 4 chops
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Brine
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups ice water
For the Pork Chops
  • 4 center-cut pork rib chops (1 inch thick and 8 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
For the Basic Rub
  • 3 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper

Equipment

  • Large saucepan
  • Resealable plastic bag
  • Baking dish
  • Small bowl
  • Grill
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. In a large saucepan, combine salt, sugar and 2 cups water. Cook and stir over medium heat until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat. Add 2 cups ice water to cool brine to room temperature.
  2. Place pork chops in a large resealable plastic bag. Add cooled brine. Seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible. Turn to coat chops. Place in a 13x9-inch baking dish. Refrigerate 8-12 hours.
  3. Remove chops from brine. Rinse and pat dry. Discard brine. Brush both sides of chops with oil. In a small bowl, mix rub ingredients. Rub over pork chops. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
  4. Grill chops on an oiled rack, covered, over medium heat 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 145°F. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 30gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 130mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g

Notes

This recipe focuses on achieving juicy pork chops through brining and proper cooking temperatures.

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