Brining pork chops in a wet brine of apple cider, brown sugar and salt is the best way to ensure grilled or broiled juicy pork chops.
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Pork chops can easily become dry if they aren’t prepared properly. The good news is that they are very simple to get right. A three ingredient brine of apple cider, brown sugar and salt is the key to moist and juicy pork chops. You can use cold water instead. But I really love using apple cider in the fall and winter months. Once the brine has worked its magic, you can season the pork chops with your favorite dry rub before broiling, grilling, pan frying or baking. I like to brine really thick, bone-in pork chops. But you can also use boneless pork chops for this recipe. You are going to love these flavorful pork chops!
More pork recipe ideas
Ingredients for brined pork chops
- Pork Chops – I think really thick cut bone-in pork chops, fresh from your butcher are perfect for this recipe. Thinner cuts of meat are going to cook quickly and don’t really need the extra step of a brine. You can also use thick cut boneless chops. Or you could use this brine for a pork tenderloin.
- Apple Cider – You could also use apple juice or water. But I tested this recipe when apple cider was plentiful at my grocery. I like the extra flavor it lends to the pork.
- Light Brown Sugar – You could use granulated sugar or even maple syrup.
- Salt – I tested this recipe with regular table salt but you can use kosher salt.
- Variations – You are welcome to add more flavoring ingredients to your brine, but I like to keep mine super simple and add more flavor after brining. Here’s some other flavorings you could add to your brining liquid – garlic cloves, bay leaves, fresh herbs, juniper berries, black peppercorns or fennel seeds.
Instructions
To a four cup glass measuring cup, add the apple cider, brown sugar and salt. Microwave to warm the apple cider and dissolve the sugar and salt. Mine took about 3 – 4 minutes on high power. Give the brine a good stir. Add the ice and stir again until it is melted. This will cool the brine.
Place the pork chops in a single layer in a shallow dish. Pour the brine over the pork. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Place the brining pork chops in the refrigerator. Brine for up to 12 hours.
Be sure to pat the pork chops dry with paper towels before adding you choice of additional seasonings and cooking them after brining.
FAQ’s
What is brining and how does it work?
The brining process adds flavor from the inside out. Submerging lean meats like pork in salt water actually changes the meat’s physical nature. The salt in the brine denatures the meat’s proteins to allow the cells to retain more moisture. Since pork is a lean cut of meat, brining really helps to keep it tender and juicy when you cook it.
How long to brine pork chops?
A good rule of thumb for brining is 1 hour per pound of meat. The thinner the cut of pork chops, the less time you need to brine. For these thick cut pork chops with bone in, I like to brine a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 12 hours.
What is the safe eating temperature for pork?
Pork is safe to eat once internal temperature of the meat reaches a minimum of 145 degrees F followed by a 3 minute rest. Cooking time will vary based on thicker or thinner cuts of meats. Always check your pork with an instant-read thermometer.
Serving suggestions
Here are some recipe suggestions for how to prepare the pork chops after brining –
Kitchen tools
- Pyrex glass measuring cups are what I use when testing my recipes
- My favorite instant read digital meat thermometer that is reliable and inexpensive
Brining Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup salt
- 3 cups ice
- 4 bone-in pork chops at least 1-inch thick
Instructions
- In a 4-cup microwaveable glass measuring cup, add the apple cider, brown sugar and salt.
- Microwave on high power for 3 - 4 minutes, or until the apple cider is very warm. Stir well until the sugar and salt are dissolved.
- Add the ice to cool the mixture and dilute it. Stir until the ice has melted.
- Place the pork chops in a shallow dish. Pour the brine over the pork chops.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Allow the pork chops to soak in the brine for up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
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