Smoked Pork Chops with Garlic Butter

This smoked pork chops recipe is loaded with garlic, fresh herbs and lemon and is topped with an optional garlic butter sauce! When cooked low and slow, smoked pork steaks are tender, juicy and infused with a subtle smoky flavor. 

We utilize the reverse searing method when cooking smoked pork chops on the grill. By reverse searing the pork chops you lock in the moisture and create a perfectly seasoned crust to compliment the juicy interior.

More smoker recipes for your kitchen play book: Smoked Whole Chicken, Smoked London Broil, Coulotte Steak, Smoked Lamb Chops, Smoked Turkey, Smoked Beef Tenderloin and Smoked Prime Rib

Ingredients

This smoked pork chop recipe takes minimal ingredients, which is always a bonus.

• Thick Cut Pork Rib Chops (1.5″-2″)
• Lemon
• Rosemary
• Garlic
• Kosher Salt
• Ground Black Pepper
• Unsalted Butter

Brine For Pork Chops

When smoking pork chops, we don’t use a pork chop brine. The low and slow cooking method leaves the pork steak with a buttery soft inside. If we have time, we do dry rub the pork chops an hour in advance to let the salt do its thing.

If you prefer to brine your chops, you’ll find a great smoked pork chops brine in the recipe card below.

How Long To Smoke Pork Chops

It takes anywhere between 45 – 90 minutes to smoke a pork chop. It depends on the thickness of the chop and the grill in which you’re using.

Anytime it takes over 60 minutes, we do a quick spritz with apple juice (or water, apple cider vinegar) to help maintain moisture.

How To Make Smoked Pork Chops

Smoked pork chops recipes work great on any electric smoker, gas grill, or manual smoker. We provide instructions for all methods.

• Gas Grill – Turn your burners on low. If you find it going over 225° F, turn off a burner or two to get it as close as possible. Create smoke by using a smoker box filled with wood chips/chunks.
• Charcoal – Pre-heat the coals and dump them in the center of the grill. Open the vents as needed to maintain the temperate at 225° F. Create smoke by placing wood chunks directly on the pre-heated coals, right before cooking.
• Pellet/Electric Smoker – To make pork chops on pellet grill, pre-heat your grill to 225° F. Follow the manufacture’s instructions to get an even smoke.

Temperature of Pork Chops

The USDA updated their guidelines in 2011 for pork chops. The new minimum safety temperature is 145° F, with a 3 minute rest time, which is considered medium-rare.

The old temperature was 165° F, which explains all those dry pork chops you grew up eating and why they have a bad rap.

Supplies

• Energy Source – Charcoal, pellets, propane, gas, etc.
• Smoking Wood –   Chunks, chips or pellets.
• Smoker Box – You’ll need one to impart the smoke flavor if using a gas grill. 
• Water Bottle – Use it to spritz the pork chops while cooking. We use an inexpensive spray bottles from Amazon.
• Thermometer – Always use a meat thermometer. Always. Our go-to digital thermometer is the Thermaworks Dot. It never fails.

Wood Recommendation

Since pork is a delicate meat, stick with a light smoke from cherry wood, apple wood, or even pecan. Apple is our go-to when smoking pork chops.

Smoked Boneless Pork Chops

Our smoked pork chops recipe is tested and written using bone-in pork rib chops. Boneless pork chops, and other bone in pork chops, will work as well. However, you’ll need to watch the time closely to make sure you don’t overcook. To ensure they stay juicy, we would brine them for an hour prior.

Side Dish Ideas

Anything goes when it comes to pork recipes. We love making potato recipes or smoked vegetable recipes when will grill. Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

Smoked Asparagus
Smoked Potatoes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Balsamic Glazed Brussel Sprouts
Instant Pot Mushrooms in Garlic Butter Sauce

Expert Tips

• Smoked pork chop recipes work best with thick cut pork chops, ideally between 1.5 – 2″. Ask your butcher to cut thick slices for you if you don’t see them displayed.
• These directions for smoking pork chops will work with the majority of dry rub recipes, not just our lemon and herb pork chop dry rub. Consider a Creole Seasoning, BBQ rub or Jamaican Jerk Seasoning. 
• Make sure your grates are greased! The chops will stick if they aren’t rubbed down with oil.
• Anytime it takes over 60 minutes, we do a quick spritz with apple juice (or water, apple cider vinegar) to help maintain moisture.
• Reverse searing the pork chops is optional. Feel free to skip if you’re not one for a crust or pretty exterior.
• Always use a thermometer. You want to cook based on temperature not time. Our go-to digital thermometer is the Thermaworks Dot. It never fails.
• Serve with slices of lemon as an extra hit of lemon juice, at the end, adds brightness.
• Make an extra batch of garlic herb butter and use in on Denver Steak.

Drink Pairings

Pour yourself a glass of buttery Chardonnay or even Pinot Noir.