Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Chops with Garlic and Thyme
Juicy pork chops marinated in a bright citrus and garlic mixture with fresh thyme, then grilled to perfection for a flavorful and tender main course. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 22 minutes pairs fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 chops (about 1 inch thick, 1.5 lbs total) bone-in pork chops
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp honey.
- Step 2: Place 4 bone-in pork chops in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove pork chops from marinade and discard marinade. Grill pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side until an internal temperature of 145°F is reached and they have nice grill marks.
- Step 4: Transfer pork chops to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Chops with Garlic and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Chops with Garlic and Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Chops with Garlic and Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Chops with Garlic and Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Chops with Garlic and Thyme?
American grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
