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This easy Pork Chop Marinade is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy and savory flavor with pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and smoky spices. It takes just minutes to whisk together, then the pork chops marinate for 4 to 10 hours for tender, flavor-packed results. Once they’re ready, grill or bake the chops for an easy dinner that’s anything but boring.
Table of Contents
- Kellie’s Note The Pork-fect Marinade
- Why You’ll Love This Pork Chop Marinade
- Ingredients for Pork Chop Marinade
- How to Make Pork Chop Marinade
- Kellie’s Tips for the Best Marinated Pork Chops
- How to Make Pork Chop Marinade Ahead
- Why Use Apple Cider Vinegar in Pork Chop Marinade
- How Long to Marinate Pork Chops
- How to Cook Marinated Pork Chops
- Variations and Substitutions
- Can You Freeze Pork Chops in Marinade?
- How to Store and Reheat Pork Chops
- What to Serve With Marinated Pork Chops
- Master your kitchen with the best cooking basics!
- Pork Chop Marinade Recipe
Kellie’s Note
The Pork-fect Marinade
I’ve been making this pork chop marinade for decades, especially when I feel like tossing them on the grill! Sweet, savory, and tangy notes are created by a medley of bold ingredients that infuse the pork chops, making them anything but bland. Plus, all of the ingredients are simple and inexpensive.
Pineapple juice and brown sugar create the best sweet flavor, which is enhanced just a little bit by the apple cider vinegar. The vinegar is in the mix to add a tangy note and to help tenderize the meat. If tough pork chops have ever been an issue for you, those days are over with! When marinated with just the right amount of apple cider vinegar, your pork will always turns out tender and juicy.
I also add a mix of spices in the marinade, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and cracked black pepper really help to create the most incredible flavor. You can always play around with those seasonings and see what works best for you, but I’ve found that medley to be the perfect combination of savory flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Pork Chop Marinade
- Big flavor: Pineapple juice and brown sugar add sweetness while apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and smoky spices balance everything with tangy, savory flavor.
- So easy: Just whisk the ingredients together, pour the marinade over the pork chops and refrigerate.
- Make-ahead friendly: The marinade can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Versatile: I also love this marinade with pork tenderloin, chicken and steak.
- Great for grilling season: The combination of sweet and savory ingredients gives pork chops tons of flavor and a deliciously browned exterior.
Ingredients for Pork Chop Marinade
- Pineapple Juice: Adds fruity sweetness and gives the marinade its signature flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the pork.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps the marinade coat the pork chops.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds deep, savory flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the tangy ingredients with sweetness.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds an easy blend of savory herbs.
- Garlic Powder: Adds plenty of garlic flavor without any chopping.
- Smoked Paprika: Gives the marinade subtle smoky flavor.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Bring all of the flavors together.
How to Make Pork Chop Marinade
- Whisk: Add all of the marinade ingredients to a bowl or measuring cup and whisk until well combined.
- Marinate: Place the pork chops in a large zip-top bag or covered container. Pour the marinade over the pork and turn to coat.
- Refrigerate: Marinate the pork chops for 4 to 10 hours.
- Cook: Remove the pork chops from the marinade and discard the used marinade. Grill pork chops or bake the pork chops until cooked through, then allow them to rest before serving.
If you’re looking for more of the very best marinade recipes for your proteins, check out my easy recipes for steak marinade and chicken marinade!
Kellie’s Tips for the Best Marinated Pork Chops
- Keep them cold: Always marinate pork chops in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
- Give them enough time: Four hours gives the pork time to soak up plenty of flavor.
- Don’t marinate too long: I recommend no longer than about 10 hours with this marinade.
- Remove excess marinade: Let the extra marinade drip off before grilling or searing so the pork can brown properly.
- Watch the heat: Brown sugar helps create delicious caramelization, but it can also brown quickly over high heat.
- Use a thermometer: Pork chop cooking time varies depending on thickness, so an instant-read thermometer is the easiest way to check doneness.
- Let them rest: Rest the cooked pork chops for a few minutes before slicing so the juices can redistribute.
How to Make Pork Chop Marinade Ahead
You can make the Pork Chop Marinade up to 5 days in advance.
Whisk all of the ingredients together, transfer the marinade to an airtight container and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it. Give it another good whisk before pouring it over the pork chops.
Why Use Apple Cider Vinegar in Pork Chop Marinade
Apple cider vinegar adds the tangy flavor that balances the pineapple juice and brown sugar in this Pork Chop Marinade. Its acidity also helps tenderize the pork as it marinates.
I prefer apple cider vinegar because it has a subtle sweetness that works especially well with the other flavors in this recipe.
How Long to Marinate Pork Chops
For the best flavor and texture, marinate the pork chops for at least 4 hours and no longer than about 10 hours.
Four hours gives the marinade plenty of time to flavor the pork, while keeping the total marinating time under 10 hours prevents the chops from sitting in the acidic marinade longer than necessary.
If you want to prepare them overnight, just make sure the total marinating time stays within that 10-hour window.
How to Cook Marinated Pork Chops
Once the pork chops are marinated, remove them from the marinade and discard the used marinade.
Grilled Pork Chops
For the complete grilling method, follow my Grilled Pork Chops recipe. Keep an eye on the chops as they cook because the brown sugar in the marinade can cause the exterior to brown quickly.
Baked Pork Chops
Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Arrange the marinated pork chops in a baking dish or on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on their thickness.
Check the pork with an instant-read thermometer, then allow the chops to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
The 375°F and approximately 15–20 minute baking guidance comes from the answer already published in your comments, so bringing it into the body solves a real reader question without introducing an untested new method.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use it with other proteins: This marinade also works with pork tenderloin, chicken and steak.
- Adjust the seasonings: Feel free to increase or decrease the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika or black pepper to suit your taste.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for some heat.
Can You Freeze Pork Chops in Marinade?
Yes. Add the pork chops and marinade to a freezer-safe zip-top bag, remove as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. Do not thaw the pork at room temperature.
How to Store and Reheat Pork Chops
Refrigerator
Store cooked pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat the pork chops gently so they don’t dry out. I like to do this on the stovetop in a skillet, covered over medium low heat, until heated through.
Freezing Cooked Pork Chops
Freeze cooked pork chops in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve With Marinated Pork Chops
The sweet, savory and smoky flavors in these pork chops work with just about any easy side dish. A few of my favorites include:
- Potatoes: Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes or baked potatoes.
- Vegetables: Grilled vegetables, roasted vegetables or corn on the cob.
- Salads: A crisp green salad, chopped salad or fresh summer salad.
- Rice: Simple jasmine rice or a seasoned rice side.
- Bread: Dinner rolls or garlic bread are perfect for rounding out the meal.
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Pork Chop Marinade Recipe
Equipment
- 1 measuring cup
Ingredients
Pork Chops
- 8 pork chops, 1/2-inch thick, approximately 2 pounds total
Marinade
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk the pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper together in a bowl or measuring cup.
- Place the pork chops in a large zip-top bag or covered container. Pour the marinade over the pork and turn to coat.
- Refrigerate the pork chops for 4 to 10 hours.
- Remove the pork chops from the marinade and discard the used marinade.
- Grill according to my Grilled Pork Chops method or bake at 375˚F for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Check the pork with an instant-read thermometer and allow the chops to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not marinate the pork chops for longer than about 10 hours.
- Always marinate pork in the refrigerator.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops.
- Discard any marinade that has come in contact with raw pork.
- Unused marinade can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I need easy recipes for my sons to learn, one son is getting real good. I’m in late stages of lupus. They need to learn. My daughter in Michigan wants us home, bc we have stalkers. . Nope, our home & we’re going to cook! My family & I will make this which I’m bad at. Prayers please!!
Sending prayers to you and your family. This is definitely an easy recipe to pull together.
Hi, this marinade sounds great. If I cook in oven, what temperature should I bake and for how long. Thank you.
You would want to bake them in the oven at 375˚F for about 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness of your pork chops. Be sure to cook them until the internal temp reaches 140˚F and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
You always come up with easy delicious ideas. Thank you!
Thank you so much! You are so kind!