Bourbon-Spiced Pork Chops with Charred Pineapple Salsa

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

Thick pork chops rubbed with smoky bourbon spices grilled to juicy perfection, topped with a bright and tangy charred pineapple salsa. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in pork chops, brown sugar, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 (1-inch thick) bone-in pork chops
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups pineapple chunks
• 1 small, diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this pork with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp salt with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey to form a spice rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the spice mixture evenly over 4 bone-in pork chops. Let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to absorb flavors.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F. Grill pork chops for 5-6 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 145°F with nice char marks. Remove and let rest.
4. Step 4: While chops grill, place 2 cups pineapple chunks on the grill grates and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly charred.
5. Step 5: Dice the charred pineapple and combine with 1 small diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1 minced jalapeño, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, and 2 tbsp lime juice in a bowl. Stir to mix.
6. Step 6: Serve grilled pork chops topped with the fresh charred pineapple salsa immediately.