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Grilled Pork Chops with Tropical Salsa

July 25, 2018

These Grilled Pork Chops with Tropical Salsa are the perfect summery pork chops.  It’s just another fabulous recipe to prepare in the summertime, when pineapple is at its juiciest and the urge to grill is irresistible.

Grilled Pork Chops with Tropical Salsa

How to make the best pork chops:

I’ll admit that I’ve never been the best pork chop maker.  But I’ve learned over the years how to make the best pork chops.  Whether you are baking them or grilling them, the best pork chops begin with brining. 

Brining them in a salt/sugar liquid for a number of hours before cooking them ensures that you’re going to get some very juicy pork chops.  That brining time gives the chops a chance to absorb and retain a good amount of liquid.  That moisture is super helpful during the cooking process, and you won’t end up with dry chops!  This recipe for Grilled Pork Chops with Tropical Salsa begins with the brining process.

How do you brine pork chops?

The best method for brining pork chops is to add sugar and salt to some water in a pan (see recipe for specifics).  You’ll boil those together until all is dissolved, and let it cool down a bit.  Then you’ll add that mixture to a large zip baggie with some more water and a few herbs.  The chops get added to the bag, the bag is sealed up, and you place the brining bag of chops in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.  It’s that simple!

Grilled Pork Chops with Tropical Salsa

While the chops are brining, you can go ahead and make the tropical salsa.  It’s composed of pineapple, tomato, kiwi, red onion, fresh basil and a simple vinaigrette.

Once your chops have gone through the brining process, you’ll discard the brine, pat the chops dry and place them on a hot grill.  Just a quick grilling about 4 minutes per side, and your chops are ready to serve with some of that tropical salsa.

Doesn’t it all sound refreshing and perfect?  It’s a great recipe for summer grilling season!

If you’re looking for more summer grilling recipes, you might also enjoy my Grilled Mahi Mahi with Grilled Pineapple Salsa or these Teriyaki Burgers with Grilled Pineapple.  Grilled Cauliflower Steaks and Grilled Portobello Mushrooms are good choices for the grill too!

Grilled Pork Chops with Tropical Salsa

Grilled pork chops topped with a summer fresh fruit salsa.

CHOPS:

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
  • 24 ounces (4 6-ounce) bone-in rib pork chops, about 3/4-inch thick and trimmed
  • 3 cloves garlic, (chopped)
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried crushed rosemary

SALSA:

  • 1 1/4 cups chopped fresh pineapple
  • 1 medium tomato, (chopped)
  • 1 medium kiwi, (peeled & chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

BRINE THE PORK CHOPS:

  1. Combine 1 cup of the water, the salt and the sugar in a medium bowl; let stand, stirring once or twice, until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Combine the pork, garlic, thyme, and rosemary in a large zip-close plastic bag; add the dissolved sugar mixture and the remaining 3 cups of water. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag; turn to coat the pork. Set in a large bowl to catch any spillage. Brine the pork in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.

  2. Spray grill rack with canola oil nonstick spray; preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

PREPARE THE SALSA:

  1. Combine the pineapple, tomato, kiwi, onion, basil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and set aside.

GRILL THE CHOPS:

  1. Remove the pork from the brine. Discard the brine and pat both sides of the pork dry with paper towels. Place the pork on the grill rack until an instant read thermometer inserted into the side of a chop registers 145°F, about 4 minutes on each side. Serve at once with the salsa.

  • WEIGHT WATCHERS FREESTYLE SMARTPOINTS PER SERVING: 7

The post Grilled Pork Chops with Tropical Salsa appeared first on Recipe Girl®.

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