Tender Grilled Honey Garlic Pork Chops Recipe
These Tender Grilled Honey Garlic Pork Chops are a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze made with pantry staples like ketchup, honey, and soy sauce. Perfectly grilled to juicy perfection, these pork chops are kid-friendly and come together in under 30 minutes, making them an easy and impressive meal for busy evenings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the glaze
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
For the pork
- 1 lb boneless pork chops (1-inch thick)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the Honey Garlic Glaze: Whisk together the ketchup, honey, soy sauce, and freshly minced garlic in a bowl until well combined. Stir in the apple cider vinegar to add a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. Set the glaze aside – it will be used to baste the pork chops during grilling. Making the glaze while the grill preheats helps streamline the cooking process.
- Season and Prepare the Pork Chops: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels for a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Let the chops sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes while you prepare the grill to ensure even cooking.
- Grill and Glaze the Pork Chops: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Place the seasoned pork chops directly on the grill grates and cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes to develop a nice crust. Flip the chops, then begin brushing the honey garlic glaze onto the cooked side. Continue grilling for another 5-7 minutes, brushing glaze every minute or two, until an instant-read thermometer registers 145°F internally. This step caramelizes the glaze creating a flavorful crust without burning.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer pork chops to a plate and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy. Serve immediately while the glaze is warm and sticky, ideally paired with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Use boneless pork chops about 1 to 1.5 inches thick for even cooking; bone-in chops can be used but require additional cooking time.
- Do not apply the glaze during the first side cooking to avoid burning the honey in the sauce.
- Let pork chops rest after grilling to retain juiciness and flavor.
- Keep grill grates clean and well-oiled to prevent sticking and tearing of the glaze.
- Substitute honey with maple syrup or brown sugar, soy sauce with coconut aminos or Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup with tomato paste mixed with vinegar and sugar if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently to preserve moisture.
Keywords: pork chops, grilled pork chops, honey garlic pork chops, easy dinner, weeknight meals, sweet and savory pork, quick pork recipe
