These Buttermilk Brined Pork Chops are the most tender and delicious pork chops you’ll ever make!

This has been a popular recipe here on RecipeGirl for a long time. From one of our RecipeGirl readers: “Just made these buttermilk brined pork chops tonight….marinated all day in the buttermilk marinade. Best grilled chops we have ever had. A keeper! Thank you!”

Ingredients needed:

• buttermilk
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• sugar
• lemon zest
• fresh rosemary
• fresh sage
• pork chops

The full, printable recipe is at the end of this post.

This is a very easy recipe to make, but it’s best if you start the brining process the night before (or at least the morning of the day you want to grill them).

Preheat your grill. (Or heat a large nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat and spray with nonstick spray). Add the pork chops; grill 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until they reach your desired degree of doneness. Timing all depends on how thick your pork chops are.

What does brining do for pork chops?

A brine is a bath of salty, flavorful liquid. In the case of this pork chop recipe, the brine consists of buttermilk combined with salt, a little sugar and spices. The salt in the brine helps to season the pork, and it changes the structure of its proteins, allowing them to absorb and hold on to more moisture. Brined pork chops turn out super tender and moist, and they will be less chewy than non-brined pork chops.

These buttermilk brined pork chops will turn out so juicy and lovely. They’re likely going to become a repeat-recipe for you. Enjoy!

The Best Pork Chop Recipes:

• Hoisin and Honey Glazed Pork Chops
• Chili Rubbed Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
• Pork Chops with Glazed Apricots
• Pan Seared Pork Chops with Pear Mostarda
• Pork Chops alla Pizzaiola

Print

Buttermilk Brined Pork Chops

This moist and tender pork chops recipe involves a buttermilk brine with added flavor notes of rosemary and sage.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword brine, buttermilk, Pork Chops

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Brining Time 10 hours

Total Time 10 hours 30 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 166kcal

Author RecipeGirl.com

Ingredients

BRINE:

• ¾ cup reduced fat buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

• Four 4-ounce (about ½-inch thick) bone-in center-cut pork chops
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

BRINE THE CHOPS:

• Combine all brine ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag; shake well to dissolve the salt and sugar.
• Add the pork chops; seal and refrigerate overnight, turning the bag occasionally.

GRILL THE CHOPS:

• Remove the pork chops from the bag; discard the brine. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle with pepper.
• Preheat your grill. (Or heat a large nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat and spray with nonstick spray). Add the pork chops; grill 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 501mg | Potassium: 306mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

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