Kentucky Bourbon Grilled Pork Chops

Pork chops are a super versatile, easily prepared cut of pork, but their main benefit is how well they hold other flavors. Why not spice them up a bit by making Kentucky bourbon grilled pork chops?

Not sure what to serve with your grilled pork chops? Why not try this Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe? Since you already have the bourbon out for the marinade this recipe is the perfect excuse to make a pitcher of Sparkling Bourbon Lemonade to serve alongside!

Kentucky Bourbon Grilled Pork Chops

Pork chops are one of the most versatile cuts of meat out there, delicious when eaten with nothing but salt and pepper, or with a delicious marinade.

The real question is what kind of marinade should you choose? While there are plenty of simple, delicious marinades out there, why not try something a bit different and make something Kentucky inspired?

With molasses and bourbon combined with hot sauce and mustard, this is the kind of marinade you won’t be sure is working properly until you bite into the most succulent, delicious pork chops you’ve ever had in your life.

Does It Matter If You Let Your Pork Chops Marinade For Longer

This recipe calls for a surprisingly short time soaking the meat in the marinade. After only 30 to 40 minutes, you want to remove the meat and get it on the grill, which is a lot shorter than most marinades you’d find in other recipes.

However, before you go and increase the marinade time, keep in mind that this recipe uses some slightly different marinade ingredients than you are probably used to.

The unique combination of molasses, bourbon, hot sauce, and mustard makes for a surprisingly acidic and penetrating marinade capable of getting right into the surface of the meat.

This means that, if you were to try and leave your pork loin chops in the marinade too long, the meat would actually start to denature and break down, ultimately ruining the texture of your pork.

So although it might seem a little weird, follow the recipe and don’t let the meat sit in the marinade for longer than around 40 minutes.

Grilling Outside Vs. Grilling Indoors

When it comes to grilling meat, there is always the inherent temptation to fire up the outdoor grill and cook it outside.

However, while grilling in the sunshine is possibly one of the nicest ways to prepare a meal imaginable, it does have a few downsides.

For starters, firing up a grill takes absolutely ages to prepare. You need to get the coals started, you need to carefully tend the fire, and you need to ensure you keep the fire going evenly and with an even distribution of heat.

Plus, what if the weather isn’t suitable for grilling outdoors?

Of course, grilling your pork chops indoors can also be a problem, because you need to cook your meat at a high temperature to get that all-important browning.

Unfortunately, thanks to the use of molasses, there will be a lot of sugar on the surface of the meat, leading to a lot of smoke wafting out from your cooking that could set off your fire alarms.

So while indoor cooking is definitely a lot more convenient and saves on time, it has its downsides as well.

So pick whichever one is more convenient for you. Unless you have an outdoor propane grill that can get hot instantly; then the choice is pretty obvious.

Why It Is Important To Let Your Pork Chops Rest For 5 Minutes

Resting meat is one of the most universally ignored steps in any cooking recipe, despite it being one of the most important.

If you tried cutting into your meat after cooking it, without giving it the proper resting time, all of the flavorful juices that you have spent so much time trying to cultivate would just spill out onto the cutting board, leaving your meat dry and tasteless.

When you rest your meat properly, not only does the carry-over cooking heat the meat the rest of the way, but it gives the meat fibers time to relax and absorb the water that threatens to spill out, making the meat juicier and more tender.

So even though this recipe is for some thinner pork loin chops, you still need to let the meat rest for the required time to preserve all of its flavor and texture.

Try Different Hot Sauces For Different Levels Of Spice

This recipe calls for the use of any hot sauce to add a bit of acidity, alongside that touch of spicy that is signature to Kentucky-style pork chops.

For those that don’t have a favorite hot sauce always on hand, what should you reach for to make your marinade?

Here are a few recommendations, in order of spiciness, from mild to melt-your-face-off.

• Frank’s Red Hot

Clocking in at a measly 450 Scoville units, Frank’s Red Hot is the quintessential Louisiana hot sauce. It is mild, acidic, and would go perfectly with the meatiness of your pork chops.

• Cholula Hot Sauce

With a beefier 3,600 Scovilles, Cholula hot sauce is definitely a good option for those that like it a bit spicier. Expect this hot sauce to be fruitier in flavor than the regular Frank’s as well.

• Dawson’s Original Hot Sauce

For those that really want their face to fall off, Dawson’s 82,000 Scovilles of fiery, fruity spiciness is perfect. Filled with the flavor of Habaneros, this sauce will leave your pork chops noticeably mouth-burning and painful if you aren’t careful.

Looking for more delicious Pork Chop recipes? Try these out:

• Parmesan Panko Pork Chops

• Stuffed Pork Chops

• Grilled Pork Chops

Happy Cooking!

Love,

Karlynn

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