These bbq pork chops are ready in just 30-minutes, plus they are super tender, tasty, and juicy when slathered in the easiest homemade BBQ sauce. Finger-licking-good and amazingly juicy, prepare for these pork chops to become your go-to for all the cookouts.
Ready for more super delicious pork recipes? Try my popular posts for Healthy Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Quick Pork Marinade, and Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa.
If I use my own cooking as a gauge, I’m guessing pork isn’t one of your go-to meats either. Chicken, salmon, steak we eat all the time (for a great chicken recipe, check out my Citrus Dijon Grilled Chicken (Marinade), for salmon, Cajun Grilled Salmon, and for steak, these great Flank Steak Tacos😉 pork though, is more intermittent for me. Why though? When cooked correctly, pork can be just as juicy, tender, and tasty as any other meat.
For this BBQ pork chops recipe, initially I had planned on making chicken. Then, I thought, why am I reaching for the chicken when I have these amazing-looking, thick-cut pork chops that have been slowly inching their way to the top of my freezer, just waiting to be picked? Well, today they got their wish, and the rest, as they say, was (delicious) history.
Why This Recipe Works
Comes together quickly: This boneless pork chops recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep and about 20 minutes on the grill.
Easy BBQ sauce: My simple barbeque sauce is cooked on a stovetop with easy -to-find pantry ingredients (like ketchup!).
Tender pork: Buying thick-cut pork chops ensures a tender, juicy, chop on the grill.
Great BBQ flavor: Adding BBQ sauce to both sides of the pork chops while grilling sears in its delicious flavor all around.
How to Make It
Making the sauce
- Combine all of the barbecue sauce ingredients on the stove in a medium pan over medium heat.
- Bring ingredients to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring while simmering.
- Reduce and set aside.
Grilling the pork chops
- Preheat the grill to medium heat and oil the grates.
- Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Put the pork chops on the grill, cooking for 2-3 minutes on the first side, then turn them over and brush some BBQ sauce on the tops and sides. Cook for 5-7 minutes.
- Flip the pork chops again, brushing the BBQ sauce all over the tops and sides again. Cook for another 5-7 minutes.
- Once the pork chops are done (internal temperature should reach 140 and no more pink should be visible in the pork chops’ center), take the pork chops off the grill.
- Allow the meat to rest on a plate or cutting board, covered, for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve the juicy grilled pork chops with the remaining BBQ sauce if desired.
How Long Do Pork Chops Take to Grill?
These ultra-juicy pork chops take about 20 minutes or so to grill. Thin-sliced pork chops will take less time, about 10 minutes. We want to give adequate time for the BBQ sauce to permeate and sear into the meat as well as enough time for the middle of the thick chops to lose its pink color.
How Do You Grill Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out?
The key to cooking pork chops without drying them out is to cook them more slowly over medium heat, turning infrequently, basting with sauce, and letting them rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing into them.
How Hot Should My Grill Be For Pork Chops?
To be honest, my grill doesn’t have a temperature gauge, so I have never been 100% sure of the temperature of the grill. But I do know that if I cook them over medium-high heat, turn a couple times, and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness (it should reach 140 degrees at the thickest part of the thickest piece), then my grill must be hot enough right?
Expert Tips
- Be sure to make the BBQ sauce ahead of time, preferably right before you grill the pork chops, or at least the day of. You don’t want to be trying to make the sauce while the pork chops cook, or you’ll miss your window for basting and end up with a tough, flavorless piece of meat.
- Allow meat to rest on a plate or cutting board — covered — for at least 5 minutes before serving. This is KEY to keeping the pork chops nice and juicy.
- For the best cut of pork, I buy boneless loin chops. They are easy to find at most grocery stores or butchers. (You can always ask at the meat counter if you don’t see what you are looking for.) If you ask a butcher, you can also get them cut to your preferred thickness.
- I swear by McCormick’s mesquite seasoning when I make barbecue sauce. Once you try it, you’ll find that you’ll want to use it on everything. It’s not 100% necessary, you can omit it if you don’t have it, and your sauce will still be delicious. Just promise me you’ll try it next time though okay?
Best Pork Recipes
- Instant Pot Pork Chops and Gravy
- Island Glazed Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Chops with Dijon Cream Sauce
- Balsamic Pork Tenderloin
- One Pan Pork Chops and Brussels Sprouts
Goes Well With
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a rating!
Ultra Juicy Grilled BBQ Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4-6 thick-cut boneless pork chops
- salt and pepper
BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅔ cup brown sugar - packed
- 3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon mesquite seasoning - see note
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper - if using ground pepper, reduce to 1/8 teaspoon
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, combine all ingredients for the bbq sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring throughout. Reduce from heat and set aside.
- Preheat grill to medium and oil the grates.
- Season pork chops generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Place pork chops on the grill, cook for 2-3 minutes, then turn over and brush bbq sauce all over the tops and sides of the pork chops. Cook another 5-7 minutes, then turn and brush bbq sauce all over the tops and sides again.
- Cook 5-7 minutes longer until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F or there is no longer any pink in the center. Allow to rest on a plate or cutting board – covered – for at least 5 minutes before serving – this is KEY to keeping the pork chops nice and juicy.
- Serve with remaining bbq sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to make the BBQ sauce ahead of time, preferably right before you grill the pork chops, or at least the day of. You don’t want to be trying to make the sauce while the pork chops cook, or you’ll miss your window for basting and end up with a tough, flavorless piece of meat.
- Allow meat to rest on a plate or cutting board — covered — for at least 5 minutes before serving. This is KEY to keeping the pork chops nice and juicy.
- For the best cut of pork, I buy boneless loin chops. They are easy to find at most grocery stores or butchers. (You can always ask at the meat counter if you don’t see what you are looking for.) If you ask a butcher, you can also get them cut to your preferred thickness.
- I swear by McCormick’s mesquite seasoning when I make barbecue sauce. Once you try it, you’ll find that you’ll want to use it on everything. It’s not 100% necessary, you can omit it if you don’t have it, and your sauce will still be delicious.
Far too sweet for our taste. The pork chops did come out nice and tender though,
Used my own BBQ sauce but the cooking instructions worked well for the pork. Our thick cut, boneless pork chops came out properly cooked and juicy.
I’m a 19 year old cooking for her parents and older brother. My entire family ate it up. They even went back for seconds. Definitely making this again.
Great recipe! BBQ sauce was easy and delish! Thanks so much! 🙏🏻
Thank you for your kind review! 🙂 Happy to hear it was a success!
I modified the seasoning to allow for the allergies in my family. The whole family wants more. It was incredibly juicy and very tasty.