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These herb brined pork chops will change your grilling game. Brining is super easy and makes pork chops you will dream about for days to come. 

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I make brined turkey all the time and especially for Thanksgiving. Whether it’s my Best Brined Turkey or Herb Brined Turkey, you’ll end up with tender, juicy flavorful results. If you’ve never tried bringing pork chops though, you’re in for a serious treat. Brining makes meat incredibly juicy and moist and there’s no other way I’d rather cook a bird.

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I was craving pork chops for dinner, and since I was in brining mode, I was excited to try the method for something other than turkey. The pork chops I bought were reasonably lean, so the quick one hour brining time really added a lot of flavor and moisture to the chops. 

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A quick sear on the stovetop ensures the pork chops get a nice crust to seal in all that moisture, and then they’re finished in the oven so you can move on to other tasks. Caramelized apples are the perfect accompaniment to herb brined pork chops. 

Want to get outside instead of searing them in a pan? These brined pork chops love a good searing on both sides and then resting for 10 minutes or so to let all of the juices settle and bemuse scrumptious as you dig on in!

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If you’ve never tried apple, sauerkraut and pork together you’re in for a serious treat and it all starts here! 

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Herb Brined Pork Chops

These herb brined pork chops will change your grilling game. Brining is super easy and makes pork chops you will dream about for days to come. 
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Print Recipe
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Catherine McCord
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 4 pork loin chops
  • 1/2 cup kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorns
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 2 handfuls ice
  • 2 Gala or Fuji apples, cored and sliced **should look like donuts, if needed, rub apples with lemon to keep from browning**
  • sauerkraut of choice

Instructions 

  • Add salt, brown sugar, bay leaf, rosemary, peppercorns, and hot water to a large bowl or dish. Stir all ingredients so that everything is dissolved. 
  • Add the pork and after allowing the mixture to cool add ice.
  • Chill for at least 1 hour, or for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
  • Preheat the oven to 400F. Place a cast iron, stainless steel, or other ovenproof skillet in the oven on the center rack.
  • Take the pork out of the refrigerator and remove the meat from the brine solution. Pat the meat dry, season it with additional salt and pepper, and set it on the counter until the oven is ready. Discard the brine.
  • When the oven reaches 400F, carefully remove the hot skillet and place it over medium-high heat on the stovetop, leaving the oven on. Add the olive oil to the pan and lay the pork chops in the center about an inch apart. Sear for about 3 minutes, or until the undersides of the pork chops have a golden crust. **
  • Flip the pork chops and immediately place the pan in the oven. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the center of the pork chops is just barely pink and registers 140-145F on an instant read thermometer.
  • Place the pork chops on a plate and tent with foil while you plate the rest of your meal.
  • While the pork is resting, grill apples for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until fork tender.
  • Serve grilled pork with grilled apples and fresh sauerkraut. 
  • Note: You can keep leftover pork covered in the fridge for sandwiches the next day!
  • *If using outdoor grill or Phillips Indoor Smokeless Grill, cook pork chops about 8 minutes on each side or until internal temperature of the pork reaches 140 degrees F with a meat thermometer

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 14.245mg | Potassium: 860mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 72IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @Weelicious or tag #weelicious!

Updated August 28, 2024 and Published November 10, 2014 by Catherine McCord

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About the Author

Catherine is a mama of three. A Kentucky girl living in California. Here’s what I know: all kids can be great eaters and mealtime must be easy. I create simple, healthy recipes the whole family will love.

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Comments

  1. I have always avoided brining (for no real reason!) but I literally right now have pork chops in my fridge for tonight’s dinner so they may get a quick brine for the first time!

  2. I’ve brined turkeys and chicken breasts before. Going to try the pork chops tonight. Thanks!

  3. I Tweeted this great recipe for a chance to win your awesome cookbook #WeeliciousGiveaways

  9. I’ve never tried brining, but have heard so many good things about it, I can’t wait to get started!

  10. We’ve brined our turkey for the past several years. Delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

  12. I have tried brining – once. It made the chicken taste wonderful. But I usually plan poorly so I’ve run out of time or fridge space to brine.

  14. We’ve brined rabbit and turkey, and will definitely give this recipe a try!

  15. I’ve never tried brining, but I keep hearing about it as a way to inject great flavor into your food, so I’ll definitely be testing it soon!

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