Description

These Lemon Garlic Marinated Grilled Pork Chops are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or summer barbecue. Marinated in a zesty lemon-garlic blend with oregano and olive oil, the pork chops turn out juicy and tender with a deliciously fresh herbaceous taste. Ready in just over an hour including marination, these pork chops pair beautifully with minted yoghurt sauce or your favorite sides.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade

3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp dried oregano (or other herbs as preferred)
Zest of 1 lemon
1/3 cup (85 ml) lemon juice (from 1 large or 2 medium lemons)
1/4 cup (65 ml) olive oil
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Main

4 bone-in pork chops, about 2 cm / 4/5″ thick, approximately 280g / 9 oz each
Oil, for cooking (such as vegetable or olive oil)

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Instructions

Prepare Marinade: In a bowl or ziplock bag, whisk together minced garlic, dried oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
Marinate Pork Chops: Add the pork chops to the marinade and ensure they are well-coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 3 hours, and no more than 12 hours for optimal flavor and tenderness.
Bring to Room Temperature: Remove the pork chops from the fridge 20 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature, ensuring even cooking.
Prepare for Cooking: Shake off any excess marinade from the pork chops, but do not wipe them dry so some marinade remains to flavor the meat.
Grill Pork Chops: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates or brush oil onto the pork chops. Grill the pork chops for about 5 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the pork chops from the grill and let them rest for 3-5 minutes to retain their juices. Serve with your favorite sides or a minted yoghurt sauce for a refreshing finish.

Notes

Note 1: Feel free to substitute dried oregano with other herbs like thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning depending on your preference.
Note 2: Using bone-in pork chops helps retain moisture and adds flavor during grilling.
Note 3: Marinating longer (up to 12 hours) enhances flavor and tenderness but avoid exceeding this time to prevent the citric acid from breaking down the meat too much.
Minted yoghurt makes a great side dip by mixing plain yoghurt with chopped fresh mint, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
Ensure the grill is properly preheated and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.