30-Minute Grilled Pork Chops
Bone-in pork chops seasoned with a warm spice blend and finished with jalapeño-infused hot honey. The honey softens under low heat to absorb pepper heat while maintaining its floral sweetness, creating a glaze that's both spicy and caramelized on the grill. Serve for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining when you want something impressive but straightforward. This version emphasizes the infusion technique over heavy reduction, letting the honey's complexity shine alongside the pork's natural richness.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- 2
Combine honey and sliced jalapeno in a small skillet over low heat until bubbling around edges.
- 3
Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
- 4
Strain honey through a mesh colander and reserve jalapeno slices for garnish.
- 5
Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl.
- 6
Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over pork chops.
- 7
Grill on first side for 3-4 minutes until grill marks appear.
- 8
Flip and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until desired doneness.
- 9
Transfer to serving platter, drizzle with infused honey, and garnish with reserved jalapeno.
Tips
Infuse honey off heat to preserve its delicate floral notes while extracting jalapeno spice without bitterness.
Let pork rest after grilling before plating to retain juices and ensure even carryover cooking.
Bone-in chops stay juicier than boneless; don't skip this cut for best results.
Good to Know
Refrigerate infused honey in airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Store unglazed cooked pork chops in airtight container for 3 days.
Prepare infused honey up to 2 days ahead. Cook pork chops day-of for best texture.
Serve immediately after plating while honey is still warm and pork is hot.
Common Mistakes
Don't overcook pork to avoid dryness; pork reaches safe internal temperature at 145F and residual heat continues cooking.
Don't strain honey while hot to avoid losing delicate infusion flavor; cooling allows better absorption.
Don't skip resting to avoid losing juices from the meat.
Substitutions
reduces juiciness slightly
FAQ
Can I make this in a skillet instead of a grill?
Yes. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, cook pork chops 3-4 minutes per side. This method works equally well and may produce better browning indoors.
How long can I keep the infused honey?
Refrigerated in airtight container, the honey keeps for 2 weeks. You can make it several days ahead for convenient weeknight cooking.
Can I freeze the cooked pork chops?
Yes, freeze cooked pork for up to 3 months without honey glaze. Reheat gently and add fresh honey glaze to maintain texture.