Description
Succulent Italian-style pork chop marinade infuses classic Mediterranean flavors into tender meat. Zesty herbs, garlic, and olive oil combine to elevate this simple dish, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor with each flavorful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low sodium)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Pork Chop Immersion: Transfer pork chops into a large zip-top bag or shallow container, completely saturating the meat with prepared marinade. Ensure full coverage by massaging liquid into the protein.
- Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate marinated pork chops for 30 minutes to 6 hours, allowing herbs and seasonings to penetrate deeply.
- Culinary Technique Selection: Choose preferred cooking method – grill at medium-high heat (4-5 minutes per side), bake in preheated 400F oven (15-20 minutes), or pan-sear in hot skillet (4-5 minutes per side).
- Temperature Verification: Cook until internal temperature reaches 145F, guaranteeing safe and succulent meat.
- Resting Phase: Allow pork chops to rest 3-5 minutes post-cooking, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried for more vibrant, intense taste and aroma.
- Don’t marinate longer than 6 hours, as acidic ingredients can break down meat proteins and create mushy texture.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure precise doneness and avoid overcooking, which dries out pork chops.
- Substitute honey with maple syrup for vegan version or use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for gluten-free option.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg