The Secret to Tasty, Tender Pork Chops

written by

Sandra Ressler

posted on

July 26, 2021

It's true, pork chops have a reputation for being dry and tough.  But when we offer samples at the market, customers are wowed and want to know how I did them.  So here's my secret...

Brining!


And here are the details...

Brined Pork Chops on the Grill
2 lbs pork chops
2 cups water (or enough to cover chops)
Pink salt or Real Salt (1 Tbls. per cup of water)
Dried basil (1 tsp. or to taste)
Dried sage (1 tsp. or to taste)
Onion powder (1 tsp. or to taste)
Black pepper (1/8 tsp. or to taste)

Dissolve salt in water and add seasonings.
Pour over chops and let sit for 1-4 hours.
Drain brine and discard.
Grill chops over medium heat until top begins to turn white.
Flip over and cook until done (8-10 Minutes on each side - adjust according to heat and preference for doneness).

You'll be amazed at the difference brining makes.  You really only need to brine the chops for an hour or two - much more than 3 or 4 hours and they'll start to get too salty.  And, as with any pastured meats, (or really all meat!), cooking low and slow is best.  Don't try to rush the process!

Let me know if you try this recipe, and how it turns out for you!







More from the blog

Maple Syrup in October?!

You know how some people do "Christmas in July" events?  How about maple syrup in October?!  Actually, I'm told it IS possible to make syrup in the fall...any time the weather fluctuates between freezing and thawing, sap is drawn up into the tree and can be harvested.  Apparently the yield (amount of sap/number of gallons of syrup) is not as good, and also the flavor is not quite as good, but we don't have experience with that. Obviously we aren't there yet weather-wise...it's still too warm.  And no, we aren't tapping trees in the fall!  But last spring, we saved bottling time during the busiest sugaring days by filling a 40-gallon barrel to use later.  A few days ago we opened that barrel and bottled the syrup.  So it felt a bit like sugaring season.  And that maple aroma when you walk into the sugar house...I never get tired of that!! Grade B Maple Syrup This past spring we ended up with a bunch of end-of-the-season syrup that we felt was not up to our flavor standards (we have a reputation to protect!) so we weren't planning to sell it.  However, we have since realized that we can make it available as "Grade B" syrup. A few years ago the USDA changed the grading system for maple syrup.  The new system has four Grade A syrups: Grade A Golden:  Delicate taste Grade A Amber:  Rich taste Grade A Dark:  Robust taste Grade A Very Dark:  Strong taste This was done because many people were confused by "Grade A" and "Grade B", thinking that Grade A was a superior quality.  In reality there is no difference in quality, only in texture and taste.  So it's more a matter of personal preference. While the official grading system has changed, many people still refer to "Grade A" and "Grade B" syrup.  Grade B syrup, typically produced later in the season (when sap has a lower sugar content and more microbial activity), has a darker color, bolder flavor, thicker viscosity, and increased minerals.  It is often used in cooking and baking.  Grade B syrup is hard to find as a retail product because much of it goes to bakeries and such.  We now have it available while supplies last.  You can order it here.