HOW TO GRILL PORK CHOPS LIKE A PRO
Master the art of grilling pork chops with thick cuts, a flavorful marinade, and a finishing touch inspired by Jamie Oliver — a squeeze of lemon juice in the meat’s resting juices to elevate flavor and presentation.
🥣 Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops (~125 g each, about 2.5 cm thick)
- 1/4 lemon
Marinade:
- 150 ml water
- 50 ml soy sauce (salty variety)
- 50 ml oil
- 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
Instructions
- Marinate the Pork
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
- Submerge pork chops in the marinade and refrigerate for about 4 hours.
- Prepare for Grilling
- Remove pork chops from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Be careful to only absorb moisture without removing the seasoning.
- Grill the Chops
- Heat a grill pan over high heat for 3 minutes until very hot (do not oil the pan; marinade oil is sufficient).
- Place pork chops on the pan; you should hear an immediate sizzle.
- After 10 seconds, reduce heat to medium.
- Cook chops for about 2 minutes on the first side.
- Flip and cook 3 minutes on the second side.
- Flip again and cook 2 more minutes on the first side.
- Remove pan from heat and let chops rest in pan for 1 minute.
- Rest and Finish
- Transfer chops to a plate and rest for 2 minutes.
- During resting, juices will collect under the meat.
- Squeeze 20 drops of lemon juice over the collected juices.
- Mix with a fork to combine.
- Dip pork chops briefly in this glossy lemon-infused sauce on both sides.
- Serve Immediately
- Serve pork chops hot with the lemon sauce drizzled over.
💡 Tips
- Use thick chops (~2.5 cm) to prevent drying out and achieve a professional look.
- Don’t oil the grill pan—marinade oil is enough to prevent sticking.
- Rest meat after cooking to retain juices and improve tenderness.
- The lemon juice finishing touch adds brightness and shine to the dish.
📝 Final Thoughts
With the right thickness, marinade, and a zesty lemon finish, you can grill pork chops like a chef. This method keeps them juicy, flavorful, and impressively glossy — perfect for any summer cookout or weeknight dinner.