Blackstone pork chops are a tender and versatile protein option that can be flavored in countless ways. Whether you prefer mild, spicy, traditional barbecue flair or an Asian-inspired marinade, your pork chops don’t have to be complicated, especially when your Blackstone is tasked with searing them up perfectly. Pork chops make a great choice for weeknight menus for a handful of reasons; they’re budget-friendly, they have a mild taste, and they fully absorb the flavor you’re seasoning them with very quickly.
For this recipe, you’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make a simple rub. This rub will be a treat to your tastebuds, elevating the pork chops with a burst of savory flavor and creating a delicious caramelized crust that will have your family asking for more.
You’ll love this recipe for its simplicity and quick cooking. Heating up the Blackstone takes only minutes, so when you’re pressed for time you can still cook a great, homemade meal with no stress. In less than 20 minutes from start to finish, you’ll be serving up a juicy, sizzling serving of Blackstone pork chops. Pair them with a crisp fresh salad, mashed potatoes, or even a serving of fries to round out your quick and easy dinner. I highly recommend doubling this recipe for big eaters, or if you want leftovers. (Trust me, you will!)
Why you should try this recipe
- Budget-friendly: Often overlooked, pork chops are a great alternative to beef and chicken. While chicken is a popular lean protein alternative, it can feel monotonous if you eat it frequently. Pork chops can add some flair to your mealtime and they have an excellent flavor all their own. 2-pound family packs of pork chops generally range from about $6-10, depending on where you live. Bulk stores like Sam’s Club and Costco make them even cheaper.
- Versatile: Pork chops pair perfectly with a wide variety of side dishes and flavor pairings. You can serve them up with rice, potatoes, buttery noodles, or even simple sauteed veggies. If you love dipping sauces, pork chops taste great with barbecue sauce, you can even try a creamy chipotle sauce to add a smoky twist.
- Fast cooking: Fast and even cooking is important when it comes to mealtime. Aside from appearance, it can be frustrating when a piece of meat won’t come to temperature or ends up overcooking due to how your pan heats. Pork chops are a very easy piece of meat that cooks evenly making meal time easy. Paired with the Blackstone, you’ll have these pork chops seared perfectly and ready to eat in no time.
Ingredients in Blackstone Pork Chops
- 4 (1” thick) boneless pork chops- Boneless pork chops are the ideal choice for this recipe to keep things simple. Feel free to use bone-in pork chops if you prefer, as they will add flavor. You’ll need to increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes per side to accommodate for the difference, and be sure to pay close attention to the final cooking temperatures as bone-in pork chops may cook less evenly.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar- A hint of sweetness pairs excellent with the paprika in this recipe to offer you a balanced bite every time. The brown sugar will also create a very light glaze on the exterior that makes these pork chops even more irresistible.
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika- A hint of smokiness will give the pork chops depth of flavor without overpowering the entire recipe. For less heat, feel free to use regular paprika.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder- Garlic powder is an easy way to add great flavor and balance the brown sugar’s sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons salted butter- Topping the pork chops with butter after cooking takes this recipe to the next level. The juicy pork chop paired with melted butter adds a ton of moisture and a buttery flavor that you just can’t beat.
- 1 teaspoon sea salt- Salt brings out the natural flavor of the pork and balances the sweetness and heat in this recipe.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper- Pepper and pork chops go amazingly well together due to their mild flavor. Any pepper will do, but freshly ground peppercorns are a nice bonus.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Olive oil helps the pork chops retain moisture. This is especially important because they don’t have much fat naturally, and can dry out easily.
Instructions for making Blackstone Pork Chops
1. Oil and preheat the Blackstone to medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Drizzle the pork chops with olive oil on both sides.
4. Sprinkle the spice mixture generously onto all the sides of the pork chops.
5. Place the pork chops onto the Blackstone. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. The center of pork chops will have a slight pink hue even when they are fully cooked.
7. Top the finished pork chops with a generous pat of butter and serve them warm.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it with chicken: This recipe is intended for pork chops, but feel free to use thinly sliced chicken breast cutlets instead. The seasoning will still taste great, you’ll just need to add 4-5 minutes of cooking time per side to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.
- Add a marinade: Feel free to use your favorite marinade to add even more flavor. You can marinade your pork chops in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Use a seasoning blend: There are lots of great seasoning blends that save time and boost flavor. Barbecue seasoning blends specifically made for pork, or herb-based blends are versatile options. For something spicier, try a Cajun seasoning blend.
- Swap the sweetener: If you don’t have brown sugar on hand or prefer not to use it, you can use honey in its place. Alternatively, try pure maple syrup for an even richer flavor.
Tips and Tricks
- Avoid overcooking the pork chops: Pork chops are done when they’ve reached 145 degrees internal temperature. It’s easy to overcook them or assume they need to cook to 165 degrees like chicken. Overcooking them will make them dry and chewy. Reduce the heat if they seem like they’re cooking too fast and use an instant-read thermometer to ensure accuracy.
- Let them rest: After cooking, pork chops are full of delicious moisture. If you slice into them too quickly, the juice often leaks out and leaves you with a dry piece of meat. Waiting 5 minutes after cooking allows the juice time to distribute throughout the pork chop and settle so that it’s not lost when you cut into it. Be sure to pour any juice that comes out of them during cooling right back on top for maximum flavor.
- Don’t add the butter while on the Blackstone: The pork chops are finished with butter that is melted with the residual heat from cooking. Butter burns easily so don’t add it to the pork chops until they’re plated and cooling.
Related Recipes
- Herb and Garlic Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- How to Cook the Perfect Steak on the Blackstone
- Blackstone Smashed Potatoes
Blackstone Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 1" boneless pork chops
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Oil and preheat the Blackstone to medium heat.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Brush the pork chops with olive oil on both sides.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture generously onto all the sides of the pork chops.
- Place the pork chops onto the Blackstone. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. The center of pork chops will have a slight pink hue even when they are fully cooked.
- Top the finished pork chops with a generous pat of butter and serve them warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
