Mississippi River Grilled Pork Chops with Maple-Mustard Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled pork chops brushed with a sweet and tangy maple-mustard glaze inspired by the scenic Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park along the Mississippi River. This american-inspired pork ready in about 20 minutes pairs (1-inch thick) bone-in pork chops, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 370 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Season 4 bone-in pork chops (1-inch thick) evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 2 minced garlic cloves until well combined to form the glaze.
  3. Step 3: Place pork chops on the grill grates and cook for 4 minutes per side, brushing generously with the maple-mustard glaze after flipping and once more during the last minute of cooking, until internal temperature reaches 145°F and the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
  4. Step 4: Remove chops from grill and let rest 5 minutes to retain juices before serving. The sweet and tangy glaze highlights the smoky char while evoking the tranquil river setting of Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mississippi River Grilled Pork Chops with Maple-Mustard Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Mississippi River Grilled Pork Chops with Maple-Mustard Glaze?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mississippi River Grilled Pork Chops with Maple-Mustard Glaze?

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 Mississippi River Grilled Pork Chops with Maple-Mustard Glaze 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 Mississippi River Grilled Pork Chops with Maple-Mustard Glaze?

American pork 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.

Related recipes