Are you looking for a new way to cook pork chops that will leave your taste buds begging for more?
Look no further than smoking them on a pellet grill! With the right technique and seasoning, you can achieve juicy, flavorful pork chops that are sure to impress your family and friends.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to smoke pork chops on a pellet grill, including tips on seasoning and cooking times.
So fire up your grill and get ready to take your pork chops to the next level!
How To Smoke Pork Chops On Pellet Grill?
Step 1: Preheat Your Pellet Grill
Before you start smoking your pork chops, preheat your pellet grill to 225°F. Fill it with your favorite wood pellet flavor – hickory, apple, maple, or pecan all work great with pork chops.
Step 2: Brine Your Pork Chops
To ensure your pork chops are juicy and flavorful, brine them for 6-24 hours before smoking. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water with bay leaves, peppercorns, ginger, and garlic cloves. Bring to a boil and stir until all salt is dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool, then add ice and ginger ale. Place the pork chops in the brine and refrigerate. After the brining time is up, remove the pork chops from the brine, rinse them in cold water, and pat them dry.
Step 3: Season Your Pork Chops
Slather both sides of the pork chops with oil and then season both sides with pork seasoning. Place the seasoned chops on a plate in the refrigerator, uncovered.
Step 4: Smoke Your Pork Chops
Place a temperature probe into the thickest part of your boneless pork chop, and set the pork chop on your pellet grill. Smoke until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 100°F (about 45 minutes). Increase the heat on your pellet grill to 425°F and cook the pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of 140°F. Continue to cook the chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. The meat should pull back significantly from the bone.
Step 5: Rest Your Pork Chops
Remove the pork chops from the grill and allow them to rest on a plate, covered tightly with foil for 10 minutes or until the meat reaches an internal carryover temperature of 145°F.
Step 6: Serve Your Pork Chops
Serve your smoked pork chops hot off the grill with your favorite sides. No sauce necessary!
Choosing The Right Pork Chops For Smoking On A Pellet Grill
Choosing the right pork chops for smoking on a pellet grill is crucial to achieving the best results. Here are some tips to help you choose the right pork chops for smoking:
1. Choose Thick Cut Pork Chops
To ensure that your smoked pork chops are juicy and tender, choose pork chops that are at least 1.5 inches thick. Thicker pork chops will stay juicier during the smoking process.
2. Opt for Bone-In Pork Chops
Bone-in pork chops are more flavorful than boneless chops, and they’re less likely to dry out when you cook them. The bone also adds flavor and helps you get the best smoked pork chops.
3. Remove Any Fat Cap
Before smoking your pork chops, remove any fat cap. This will help prevent flare-ups and ensure that your pork chops cook evenly.
4. Use a Meat Thermometer
Thin pork chops will cook faster than a thick cut pork chop, so it’s important to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Make sure the internal temperature of the pork chop reaches 145°F before serving.
5. Choose Fruitwood Flavors
Pork chops pair best with fruitwood flavors, so opt for Apple, Cherry, or a general Fruitwood mix when choosing your wood pellets.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to choose the right pork chops for smoking on a pellet grill and achieve delicious, juicy results every time.
Preparing The Pork Chops For Smoking
To prepare your pork chops for smoking, you’ll want to start by selecting the type of pork chop you prefer – bone-in or boneless. Once you’ve made your selection, it’s time to brine the pork chops. Brining is an essential step that will ensure your pork chops are juicy and full of flavor.
To create a brine, combine 1 cup of water with bay leaves, peppercorns, ginger, and garlic cloves in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until all salt is dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool, then add ice and ginger ale. Place the pork chops in the brine and refrigerate for 6-24 hours.
After the brining time is up, remove the pork chops from the brine and rinse them in cold water. Pat them dry with paper towels.
Next, season both sides of the pork chops with a pork seasoning blend. You can make your own seasoning blend or use a store-bought one.
Place the seasoned pork chops on a plate in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes before smoking.
Once your pellet grill is preheated to 225°F, place a temperature probe into the thickest part of your boneless pork chop and set it on the grill. Smoke until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 100°F (about 45 minutes).
Increase the heat on your pellet grill to 425°F and cook the pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of 140°F. Continue to cook the chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. The meat should pull back significantly from the bone.
Remove the pork chops from the grill and allow them to rest on a plate, covered tightly with foil for 10 minutes or until the meat reaches an internal carryover temperature of 145°F.
Serve your smoked pork chops hot off the grill with your favorite sides.
Selecting The Perfect Seasoning For Your Pork Chops
When it comes to seasoning your pork chops for smoking, there are several options to choose from. You can use a pre-made pork seasoning blend or create your own with a mixture of herbs and spices. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect seasoning for your pork chops:
1. Consider the flavor profile you want to achieve: Do you want your pork chops to have a bold and spicy flavor, or do you prefer a more subtle taste? Depending on your preferences, you can choose seasonings that are heavy on the paprika, cumin, and chili powder, or opt for milder flavors like garlic, onion powder, and black pepper.
2. Think about the wood pellet flavor you’re using: The type of wood pellet you use for smoking will also impact the flavor of your pork chops. For example, if you’re using apple wood pellets, you may want to choose a seasoning blend that complements the fruity notes of the wood.
3. Experiment with different blends: Don’t be afraid to try different seasoning blends until you find one that works best for you. You can start with a basic blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then add other herbs and spices to create a unique flavor.
4. Consider the cooking method: If you’re using a pellet grill to smoke your pork chops, you may want to choose a seasoning blend that can withstand high heat without burning or becoming bitter.
Some popular seasoning blends for pork chops include garlic and herb, Cajun spice, and BBQ rub. Whatever blend you choose, be sure to apply it liberally to both sides of the pork chops before placing them on the grill. With the right seasoning and cooking method, your smoked pork chops will be juicy, flavorful, and sure to impress your guests!
Setting Up Your Pellet Grill For Smoking
Before you start smoking your pork chops, it’s important to properly set up your pellet grill. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Season Your Pellet Grill
The first step in setting up any new smoker is to season it. This typically involves a dry run without food where you can cook off any residual oils from the factory and coat the inside with a thin layer of cooking oil to prevent rust and make it easier to clean in the future. You should always start by conducting a dry burn, to burn off any machine oil or other contaminants left over from the manufacturing process, before you start cooking.
Steps to season a pellet grill:
– Preheat your smoker to as hot as the smoker will allow.
– Conduct a dry burn for about 20 minutes to get rid of any machine oils.
– Reduce the heat to a cooking temperature of around 225 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a pretty common slow and low cooking temp and it won’t rapidly burn off the cooking oil you’ll add next.
– Place a small amount of cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as groundnut or rapeseed oil, in a spray bottle and evenly coat the inside of the smoker.
Step 2: Fill Your Pellet Hopper
Fill your pellet hopper with your desired wood pellets. Hickory, apple, maple, or pecan all work great with pork chops.
Step 3: Set Your Pellet Grill To Smoke
Use the control dial to turn your pellet grill to the smoke setting. If you do not see this setting on your specific model, reference the owner’s manual for the comparable setting. Leave the lid open until you see smoke coming up from the grill. If you do not see smoke, return to step 1 and make sure your pellet hopper is full.
Step 4: Increase The Temperature
Once you see smoke coming up from the grill, increase the temperature to 225°F. This is the ideal temperature for smoking pork chops.
Step 5: Place Your Pork Chops On The Grill
Carefully place your seasoned pork chops on the smoker grates. For the best results, place the food in the middle of the grate. This will ensure that the meat is far away enough from the heat to not dry out, but close enough to be cooked at temperature.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to properly set up your pellet grill for smoking delicious pork chops.
Smoking Your Pork Chops To Perfection
Smoking your pork chops to perfection requires a bit of patience and attention to detail. The key is to smoke them low and slow, allowing the smoky flavor to penetrate the meat while keeping it juicy and tender.
First, make sure your pellet grill is preheated to 225°F and filled with your preferred wood pellets. Hickory, apple, maple, or pecan all work great with pork chops.
Next, brine your pork chops for 6-24 hours before smoking. This will ensure that they are juicy and flavorful. After the brining time is up, remove the pork chops from the brine, rinse them in cold water, and pat them dry.
Then, season both sides of the pork chops with oil and pork seasoning. Place the seasoned chops on a plate in the refrigerator, uncovered.
When you’re ready to smoke your pork chops, place a temperature probe into the thickest part of your boneless pork chop and set the pork chop on your pellet grill. Smoke until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 100°F (about 45 minutes). Increase the heat on your pellet grill to 425°F and cook the pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of 140°F. Continue to cook the chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. The meat should pull back significantly from the bone.
Once your pork chops are done smoking, remove them from the grill and allow them to rest on a plate, covered tightly with foil for 10 minutes or until the meat reaches an internal carryover temperature of 145°F.
Finally, serve your smoked pork chops hot off the grill with your favorite sides. No sauce necessary! By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to smoke pork chops that are juicy, tender, and packed with smoky flavor.
Resting And Serving Your Smoked Pork Chops
Resting your smoked pork chops is crucial to ensuring that they are juicy and flavorful. After removing them from the grill, let them rest for 10 minutes, covered tightly with foil. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a moist and tender pork chop.
When it comes to serving your smoked pork chops, there are many options to choose from. You can serve them as-is, or with a side of apple sauce or sweet BBQ sauce. For a more savory option, try serving them with smoked mashed potatoes or smoked mac and cheese. Smoked corn on the cob is also a great side dish to pair with your smoked pork chops.
