Smoked Pork Chop Recipes

A common concern for pork lovers is the high calorie content in pork meat. There is hardly anything that you can do with the meat to lower calorie, except for trimming off the fatty portions before cooking. But, you can certainly opt for healthy ways of cooking for enjoying a less fatty pork dish. And one such method is smoking pork cut. For trying easy recipes, choose thin pork chops that take lesser time for cooking.

Smoking Pork Chops: Things to Note

While smoking pork chops, the basic things to be taken care of are the smoker temperature, meat temperature and cooking period. As per availability, you can make smoked pork chops in a gas smoker or a pit smoker. The ideal temperature range for the smoker is 200 - 225 F, while meat temperature should be 160 F. To get to this desired doneness, smoking will take 2 - 4 hours (based on meat thickness). Needless to mention, cooking fresh pork chops makes a whole lot of difference in the taste of smoked dishes. So, purchase grayish pink pork chops having firm meat and less fat portions from your local supermarket.

In order to increase pork flavor, consider brining or marinated pork chops with cider vinegar overnight. Prepare a simple brine solution by dissolving cup salt in one gallon water, and soak pork chops in it. Another brine recipe is mixing gallon each of water and cider vinegar, and adding cup salt and flavorful herbs to the concoction. Immerse chops overnight in the refrigerator. This simple preparatory method makes the meat more tender and at the same time, improve its texture. Following this, you can smoke pork chops in the usual way as you do for other meat cuts. But, make sure you take a note of the smoker temperature and meat temperature.

Smoked Pork Chops Recipes

Easy-to-cook Smoked Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 4 smoked pork chops (1-inch thick)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• cup water

Directions for Preparation

Preheat a thick cast iron skillet, and warm the smoked pork chops from both sides over medium low heat. Add mustard, sugar, vinegar and water. Adjust heat to high, and bring it to a boiling temperature. Simmer for about 10 - 12 minutes, until the liquid part thickens to about half. This savory smoked pork chop recipe is excellent for serving with plain rice.

Smoked Pork Chops with Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 4 smoked pork chops
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 garlic clove, smashed
• 2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons green-olive tapenade
• teaspoon thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions for Preparation

Preheat a thick skillet over medium high heat and add 3 tablespoons oil. Add garlic and then cherry tomatoes. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally. In another skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat. Brown pork chops from both sides, or cook for 2 minutes per side. By this time, tomatoes will become tender and begin bursting. Stir in white beans and olive tapenade. Add already browned pork chops, thyme, salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 2 - 3 minutes. This smoked pork chop dish taste great with green salads on the side.

Baked Smoked Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 4 smoked pork loin chops
• 4 pineapple slices
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions for Preparation

Place rack in the center of the oven and, preheat oven to 300 F. Then, prepare a baking dish by lightly spraying with cooking oil. Arrange already smoked pork chops in the baking dish. Top each of them with a pineapple slice. Bake them in the preheated oven for 55 minutes. Allow the oven-baked pork chops to cool down for 7 minutes. This will ensure that internal cooking is done properly. Serve them with steamed broccoli and potato salad for dinner.

If you are running short of time, then also try smoked pork chop recipe for fixing a quick dinner. All you need are completely cooked pork chops and a tablespoon of butter. Melt butter in a heavy skillet, and warm pork chops for 4 - 5 minutes per side. Serve with a savory dip sauce. This way, you can serve dinner within 10 minutes. You can try this same recipe with a broiler or grill. Just keep a watch over the pork chops, and avoid overcooking.