Turn those boring old pork chops into an incredible meal by using this easy Pork Chop Marinade! This marinade not only packs the pork chops full of flavor but also tenderizes the meat by using a secret ingredient you likely already have on hand!
The Best Pork Chop Marinade
Grilled meat is always delicious, but marinated grilled meat is even better! If you’re not already a fan of pork chops, you will be — this zesty Pork Chop Marinade is a total game changer!
Slightly sweet with savory spices and a tangy kick, this marinade for pork chops will make the meat tender, juicy, and fill it with mouthwatering flavor.
Made with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, ground mustard, coriander, sea salt, brown sugar and honey, the flavors of this made-from-scratch marinade covers all the bases!
I love how simple this recipe is to throw together, and most of the ingredients are staples that I always have in my kitchen. Given the choice, I’d choose a homemade marinade over a store-bought one any day, since it’s usually healthier, cheaper, and of course, it tastes better!
Summer is grilling season and a time to enjoy cooking and eating outdoors with friends and family! Plus, who wants to turn on the stove and make their house stuffy on a hot day?
This grilled Pork Chop Marinade can inspire an easy-to-prepare meal for cookouts, parties, or any weeknight at home with the family.
Just start marinating the pork chops the night or morning before you cook them, and when it’s mealtime, all you have to do is cook them.
Best Pork Chop Marinade Ingredients
- Apple cider
- Olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Ground mustard
- Light brown sugar
- Sea salt
- Honey
- Ground cinnamon
How to Make Pork Chop Marinade
Step 1: Whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Pour the marinade over the pork chops in a large Ziploc bag. Squeeze the excess air out of the bag and then tightly seal it.
Step 3: Marinate the pork chops in the fridge for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
Step 4: Cook the marinated pork chops as desired. Enjoy!
How to cook Marinated Pork Chops
Since this is a very lean piece of meat, it should cook pretty quickly. Usually, grilling, broiling, or sear-roasting (which is what I used in this recipe) is best and yields tender juicy pork chops.
We love cooking ours on our Traeger Grill because it adds an additional layer of smoky flavor, but you can cook these on any grill or in the oven!
How to use this Simple Pork Chop Marinade
Marinating Pork Chops is really easy to do and totally work it for the delicious flavor that results! Simply whisk the marinade ingredients together in a bowl, add the pork chops to a large Ziploc bag and pour the marinade over them.
Squeeze all of the air out of the bag and work the marinade to make sure it’s coating all of the pork chops, place in the refrigerator to marinate until ready to cook.
How long to marinate Pork Chops
This recipe is good for 2-3 chops, and as usual, the longer they marinate, the tastier and more tender they’ll be. Letting them sit for 24 hours is ideal, but 8 hours will still give you delicious results.
Can I use this Pork Chop Marinade Recipe as a sauce?
Technically, you can, but you would need to boil it for about 5 minutes to remove any bacteria. Remember, this marinade was used on raw meat and you don’t want to use it over freshly cooked pork chops. Personally, I recommend enjoying these without sauce or another sauce of your choosing.
Pin this Pork Chop Marinade Recipe for Later!
How to Store Brown Sugar Pork Chops Marinade
This Brown Sugar Marinade can be made ahead of time and then stored in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Store the marinade in a tightly sealed glass jar or airtight container for up to 5 days.
Once the meat is in the marinade, allow it to marinate for up to 24 hours in the fridge. Then, cook the meat and discard the marinade.
Homemade Pork Chop Marinade FAQs
Many people don’t like to mess with bones, but when it comes to pork chops, you want bone-in chops. Firstly, it’s just one rib bone so there’s not a tone to work around.
Secondly, the bone helps provide protection from overcooking the meat. And lastly, it generally has fat around it which makes the chops more tender and flavorful.
Switch up your grilling routine with some juicy and flavorful pork chops while the weather is warm! This simple homemade Pork Chop Marinade recipe will make pork chops a family favorite for those balmy summer evenings.
The secret to tender, juicy pork chops is found in the marinade! The ingredient apple cider vinegar tenderizes the meat by breaking down proteins, resulting in juicy, tender pork chops!
Juicy, tender pork chops will also depend on your cooking method! Be sure not to cook them at too high of a heat or overcook them, as that will result in dry meat.
I also find that thick, bone-in pork chops results in the juiciest, tender meat!
No, do not rinse any of the marinade off the pork chops before cooking. Doing so would, sadly, take away all the flavor.
Yes, apple cider vinegar tenderizes the pork chops by breaking down the protein in the meat using the vinegar’s acidity.
Please note that we’re just a family of two, so the base recipe is only for 2 to 3 pork chops and will need to be doubled or tripled for larger batches!
You Might Enjoy These Other Pork Recipes:
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Apple Cider Vinegar Marinade for Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
Instructions
- Whisk together the ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour over 2 to 3 pork chops into a large Ziploc bag and squeeze all of the air out. Seal and marinate in the fridge for 8 to 24 hours before cooking as desired.
Notes
- This marinade makes enough to marinate 2 to 3 pork chops, for large batches double and triple the recipe.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Ginny marquez says
I do not have a grill can I cook the pork chops on a stove?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yes, this marinade recipe can be used for stovetop or baked pork chops.
Alex says
I’ve just put the pork in the fridge to marinade, I’m going to pan sear and then roast in the oven fingers crossed it tastes as good as it smells
Nickki says
How essential is using apple cider in the marinade recipe? I have all ingredients, but that, so I was wondering if it would be okay to omit that?
Rebecca Hubbell says
It’s the biggest component of the marinade so I wouldn’t leave it out.
Laila says
has anyone cooked them on the stove top?
Nellie Tracy says
I love pork chops, but you can only make them one way so many times before you get tired of eating them. This marinade looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I hope this adds a little extra zing to what I know can be a mundane weeknight meal!
Liz says
Such a great marinade and I love that it’s not too complicated and doesn’t require a bunch of ingredients!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Exactly and most of them you probably already have!
Renee says
These chops look great. I always use apple cider vinegar to make meat tender.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yes, it makes such a difference!
Teresa Joens says
Do you use BOTH apple cider and apple cider vinegar? Ingredient list indicates this, but paragraph of description above it does not mention apple cider.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Teresa, yes, the recipe uses both.