Best Grilled Pork Chops (Rib)
Flavor: 5 Out Of 5
Tenderness: 4 Out Of 5
Alternative Names: Rib End Cut, Pork Chops End Cut, Blade Chops, Pork Loin Rib Chops
The rib chop is the rib portion of the loin, it lies between the shoulder and the center portion on the loin. A similar cut to the center loin chop but with more marbling and better flavor, some compare it to the rib in beef.
It adapts well to a brine, rubs, marinades, glazes and for maximum tenderness should not be cooked no more than medium doneness.
Enhanced or seasoned pork is becoming more and more popular in grocery stores in the United States and Canada. If the pork you have purchased is enhanced do not use a brine solution or add any salt to the recipe. Read this article to learn more about enhanced or seasoned pork.
This is an optional step but if you want the best grilled pork chops, brining them first in a salt and sugar water solution followed with an optional dry rub will produce tasty, moist pork chops. If the pork you have purchased is enhanced or seasoned do not use a brine solution or add any salt to the recipe.
1. If the chops you have purchased are seasoned or enhanced skip step one. For grilling 4-6 unseasoned chops dissolve about ¾ cup of kosher salt or 5-6 tablespoons of table salt and 5-6 tablespoons of sugar in 2-3 quarts (2-3 liters) of cold water in a large resealable bag or plastic container. Let the chops sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours in the brine solution, turning the bag or chops once.
2. Remove the chops from the brine and pat dry with paper towel and season with your favorite BBQ dry rub. Allow the chops to sit at room temperature 1 hour before grilling.
3. If using a gas grill, first brush the grill with vegetable oil to prevent sticking, preheat on high for 10-15 minutes with the lid down. This method of cooking works best with steaks that are 1 inch or thicker. Scrape the grill clean with a grill brush, leave one side on high and adjust the other side to medium heat.
4. The key to not overcooking a thick pork chop is to sear the chop on both sides. On the high temperature sear the chops about 2-3 minutes on each side with the lid down.
5. Once the chops are browned on both sides, slide them to the cooler part of the grill, continue grilling with the lid down to the desired doneness. For maximum flavor and tenderness cook to medium (145-150 degrees), anything more will begin to dry out the chops.
When cooking with a charcoal-grill, build a two level fire by stacking most of the coals on one side and the remaining coals in a single layer on the other side of the grill. This works the same way as the gas grill, searing the steaks for 2-3 minutes per side over the high coals and then sliding them to lower heat to finish. When grilling with charcoal keep the lid open. Because the lid is kept open with charcoal, cover the chops with an aluminum roasting pan or pie plate after they have moved to the cooler side to evenly cook the inside to medium doneness without burning the outside.
Sear the rib chops on each side for 2-3 minutes on high heat, then move chops to medium heat, continue cooking following the chart for the needed minutes per side on the medium heat until desired temperature is reached.
Remove the chops from the grill, tent with foil and let rest for 5 minutes, this helps to redistribute and retain more juices when sliced and promote a more even color throughout the meat. The temperature of the chops will rise about 5 degrees well resting, remove the chops 5 degrees before desired doneness.
Best Grilled Pork ChopsRib Chops | Medium | Medium-Well | Well Done |
1 Inch Chop | 4-5 minutes | 5-6 minutes | 6-7 minutes |
1.5 Inch Chop | 6-7 minutes | 7-8 minutes | 8-9 minutes |
Temperature145-150 degrees | 150-160 degrees | 160-170 degrees | |
The above times are guide-lines, temperatures differ from grill to grill, do not judge a chops doneness by minutes per side. You should always use a instant-read thermometer to check the doneness. The above temperatures are per side after the initial searing on high heat. Using a thermometer will make it easier to acquire the best grilled pork chops.
Thin Chops
A pork chop ½-¾ of an inch should not be seared on high heat, searing a thin chop will brown the exterior but quickly dry out through the center.
If using a gas grill, first brush the grill with vegetable oil to prevent sticking, preheat on high for 10-15 minutes with the lid down. Scrap the grill clean with a grill brush, and adjust the heat to medium-high. Grill with lid down until nicely browned, turn over and continue to grill until the other side is browned. The interior will be cooked through, this method works best with moderately thin steaks.
For maximum flavor and tenderness cook to medium (145-150 degrees), anything more will begin to dry out the chops. Remove the chops from the grill and tent with foil for 5 minutes, this helps to redistribute and retain more juices when sliced and promote a more even color throughout the meat. The temperature of the meat will rise about 5 degrees as they rest, remove the chops 5 degrees before desired doneness.
Best Grilled Pork Chops
Rib Chops | Medium | Medium-Well | Well Done |
½ Inch Chop | 2-3 minutes | 3-4 minutes | 4-5 minutes |
¾ Inch Chop | 3-4 minutes | 4-5 minutes | 5-6 minutes |
Temperature145-150 degrees | 150-160 degrees | 160-170 degrees | |
The above times are guide-lines, temperatures differ from grill to grill, do not judge a chops doneness by minutes per side. You should always use and instant-read thermometer to check the doneness.
Best Grilled Pork Chops (Rib)
Grilling Tips
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Oven Temperatures
Fahrenheit (°F) Celsius (°C)
125° 52°
150° 66°
175° 80°
200° 93°
225° 107°
250° 121°
275° 135°
300° 149°
325° 163°
350° 177°
375° 190°
400° 205°
425° 218°
450° 232°
475° 246°
500° 260°