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Zesty Italian Grilled Pork Chops - Bright, Flavor-Packed, and Weeknight Easy

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Bone-in pork chops (1 to 1.25 inches thick, about 4 chops)
  • Olive oil
  • Red wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
  • Lemon (zest and juice)
  • Garlic (3–4 cloves)
  • Italian seasoning (dried blend of oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Honey (or sugar)
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)

Method
 

  1. Mix the marinade. In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, 3–4 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), 1 teaspoon honey, 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Prep the pork chops. Pat the chops dry with paper towels. Dry surfaces brown better and help create that flavorful crust.
  3. Marinate. Place the pork chops in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour in the marinade, making sure each chop is coated. Seal and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. Flip once halfway through if marinating longer.
  4. Preheat the grill. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high (about 400–450°F). Clean and oil the grates to reduce sticking.
  5. Grill the chops. Let excess marinade drip off. Grill for 4–5 minutes per side for 1-inch-thick chops, turning once. Aim for a nice char on the outside and juicy center.
  6. Check doneness. Use an instant-read thermometer. Pull the chops at an internal temperature of 140°F; they’ll carryover to 145°F while resting.
  7. Rest and finish. Transfer to a plate, tent with foil, and rest 5–7 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges for a fresh squeeze on top.
  8. Optional glaze. For extra shine, whisk 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon olive oil and brush lightly over the chops right before serving.