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Easy Pork Chop Brine is made with salt, water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, and garlic. Brined pork chops are perfect for grilling, pan-frying, or baking. This recipe guarantees tender and juicy meat every time!

This easy pork chop brine recipe is made with salt, water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, and garlic. It guarantees tender and juicy meat every time! Brined pork chops are perfect for grilling, pan-frying, or baking. #PorkChopBrine

Why do you brine pork chops?

Pork chops are a lean cut that’s prone to overcooking. Brining is a classic technique for ensuring the meat stays tender, as it enables the chops to absorb more moisture. Therefore, it helps to tenderize the chops and prevent them from drying out during the cooking process.

All pork brine ingredients.

What ingredients go into pork chop brine?

The basic brine is simply saltwater (1/4 cup salt + 4 cups water), which works perfectly on its own. In this recipe, I’ve taken the brine to the next level by adding some herbs and aromatics:

  • Salt and Water – the base for the brine, helping to increase the water stored in the meat to keep it moist. Kosher salt is best.
  • Brown Sugar – enhances the natural flavor of pork chops while helping to create a caramelized crust. You can substitute honey or maple syrup.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – acid in the vinegar helps to “break down” proteins, making the meat extra tender.
  • Rosemary – adds a fresh herbal note.
  • Garlic – it’s best to use fresh garlic.

Closeup of piercing the pork chops with a fork.

How to brine pork chops

  • Add salt, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar to the water in a large bowl. Whisk until salt and sugar dissolve.
  • Add rosemary and garlic to the bowl.
  • Pierce the pork chops with a fork on both sides.
  • Place them in the brine solution so they’re fully submerged.
  • Let sit for 1/2 hour – 2 hours in the refrigerator.

How long should you brine pork chops? 

The ideal brine time is between 1/2 hour to 2 hours.

You can leave it overnight, but don’t go past 12 hours or your pork chops could become overly salty.

How to cook brined pork chops

Rinse the brined pork chops before cooking and pat them dry with paper towels. Discard the brine.

Cook them for 5-10 minutes (depending on thickness) on the stove or grill, flipping every minute. Remove from the heat when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 140°F (61°C). Let them rest for 5 minutes, and the temperature will rise several degrees more to 145°F (63°C).

Pork chop served with potatoes and broccoli on a white plate.

Tips for making pork chop brine recipe

  • You can use salt and water only if you plan to add more seasoning after brining.
  • Make sure to use kosher salt as table salt is denser than kosher salt.
  • Bring the pork chops to room temperature (remove from fridge 15 minutes) before grilling or pan-frying to ensure even cooking.
  • Pat dry pork chops before cooking to ensure proper searing.
  • This recipe works for both bone-in and boneless pork chops. Brine thicker cuts slightly longer than thin cuts.

Recommended pork chop recipes

You can use the brined pork chops in these recipes for more tender and juicy meat:

This easy pork chop brine recipe is made with salt, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, garlic, and water. It guarantees tender and juicy meat every time! The brined pork chops are perfect for grilling, pan frying, or baking.
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Easy Pork Chop Brine {The Secret to Tender Pork Chops}

This easy pork chop brine recipe is made with salt, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, garlic, and water. It guarantees tender and juicy meat every time! The brined pork chops are perfect for grilling, pan-frying, or baking.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup salt
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 3 rosemary sprigs
  • 4 pork chops

Instructions

  • Add salt, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar to the water in a large bowl. Whisk until salt and sugar dissolve.
  • Add rosemary and garlic to the bowl.
  • Pierce the pork chops with a fork on both sides.
  • Place them in the brine solution to submerge fully. Then cover with plastic wrap.
  • Place in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour to 2 hours.
  • When you are ready to cook the brined pork chops, remove them from the brine and rinse with cold water.
  • Let them sit at for 15 minutes at room temperature before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels.
  • Proceed with your favorite cooking method. You can find grilled, pan-fried and baked pork chops recipes below in the notes.

Notes

You can use the brined pork chops in these recipes for more tender and juicy meat:
Nutrition Facts
Easy Pork Chop Brine {The Secret to Tender Pork Chops}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 214 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 90mg30%
Sodium 360mg15%
Potassium 500mg14%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 29g58%
Calcium 17mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please read our nutrition disclaimer.

Author: Cindy
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pork Chop Brine, Pork Chop Brine Recipe
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Sides for Pork Chops