juicy brined and grilled pork chops

These brined and grilled pork chops are juicy, smoky, and packed with bright citrus flavor from a simple lemon and basil brine. Finished over high heat, they develop a beautifully caramelized exterior with plenty of crunchy edges while staying tender and flavorful inside.

Thick cut BBQ pork chops are a backyard cooking classic, but too often they end up dry and forgettable. This recipe combines a flavorful brine, careful drying, and hot zone grilling to create chops with deep flavor, impressive texture, and the kind of charred crust that keeps people coming back for seconds.

For other recipes you might dig, checkout these Smothered Pork Chops or these low and slow smoked thick cut chops.

My Uncle Slick was slick wit it and made the best pork chops. His were deep fried and were legendary as you’ve probably heard me write about a few times. As a kid pork chops were on the menu quite a bit. 

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• The lemon basil brine keeps pork chops juicy and flavorful.
• High heat grilling creates crispy edges and beautiful grill marks.
• Perfect balance of savory, sweet, smoky, and citrus notes.
• Works equally well with bone in pork chops or thick cut center cut chops.
• Great recipe for weeknight grilling or summer cookouts.
• Delivers restaurant quality grilled pork chops with simple ingredients.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with Juicy Grilled pork chops)

Ingredient Notes For The Brine

Lemon juice adds brightness and helps the seasoning penetrate the meat. The acidity balances pork's richness without overpowering it. Fresh lime juice can be substituted if needed, though lemon provides a cleaner flavor that pairs especially well with basil.

Brown sugar softens the citrus notes and promotes caramelization on the grill. It also helps develop those flavorful crispy bits on the exterior. Dark brown sugar adds deeper molasses notes while light brown sugar keeps things lighter and brighter.

Fresh basil brings herbal sweetness and aromatic depth that transforms the brine from ordinary to memorable. I strongly recommend fresh leaves over dried basil because the fresh oils survive grilling much better and create a more vibrant flavor profile.

How To Grill Pork Chops

Step 1: Brine the pork chops

Add kosher salt, brown sugar, black pepper, basil, garlic, water, and lemon juice to a bowl. Mix in a bowl until sugar and salt dissolve.

Place pork chops in a large sealable ziplock bag or glass storage container. Cover the chops with the brine and refrigerate up to 8 hours.

Step 2: Grill the pork chops

Remove chops from the brine. Wash them well, then dry fully using a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper, then allow to reach room temperature.

Meanwhile prep the grill by oiling the grill grate with an oil dampened napkin/paper towel. Pre-heat grill to high heat, then grill pork chops for about 6 minutes per side.

Remove and let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these brined and grilled pork chops with grilled corn, a side of Southern potato salad, tender and leafy braised collard greens, or barbecue baked beans. They also pair beautifully with fresh tomato salads and herb driven summer side dishes that complement the basil and citrus flavors.

Test Kitchen Secrets

• Avoid flipping constantly. Give the chops time to develop grill marks and caramelization before turning.
• Use thick cut pork chops whenever possible. Thin chops cook too quickly and rarely develop the combination of juicy interior and crisp exterior that makes grilled pork chops so good.
• Finally, trust your thermometer. Pulling the chops slightly before they reach final temperature guarantees juicy pork chops every time.

These succulent pork chops showcase how a few thoughtful techniques can transform a simple cut of meat into something memorable. Between the bright lemon basil brine, the smoky char from the grill, and the crunchy caramelized edges, this recipe delivers everything I want from great backyard cooking. Every bite is juicy, flavorful, and proof that grilled pork chops deserve a permanent spot in your warm weather rotation.

If you make these grilled pork chops that stay juicy please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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