Our Best Grilled Pork Recipes: Get Ideas for Chops, Ribs, Tenderloin, and More

By Zee Krstic
June 17, 2016
Credit: Elizabeth Cecil
Stumped on what to fire up on the grill this summer? We vote for the other white meat. The high heat and smoke do wonders for pork chops, tenderloin, ribs, burgers, and more, leaving you with perfectly charred, juicy meat. Serve it at your next cookout or barbecue.
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Credit: Ryan Liebe

Pork is versatile, it can be prepared in many different ways, and it's very grill friendly. Some cooks fear they will dry out pork if they grill it but our recipes will help make sure your meat is tender and succulent every time.

When grilling pork chops, the thicker, the better: most of our recipes call for at least one-inch-thick rib chops, as these yield better results when exposed to higher heat. Thicker, heartier cuts of pork—such as chops, tenderloins, and racks of rib—will take on a serious sear without overcooking, and their fat markup over leaner cuts of pork lends to a better flavor. Cuts of bone-in pork also have more flavor, and the bone can insulate the meat itself while it cooks on the grill. Another sensible strategy is to make kebabs. You'll find that cubes of pork tenderloin cook quickly and evenly.

You may choose to brine pork—saltwater can help tenderize the meat before it's grilled, just as traditional marinades do. Letting the meat take on the juices of a marinade or a brine for up to 12 hours can transform a routine dinner into a weeknight hero. If you don't have time to marinade, don't worry: pork also takes on instant flavor with a simple rub.

And then there are pork burgers, which might just be the very easiest way to grill pork. We also adore a sausage burger, and they're just as easy—maybe even easier?—to make. For more superb grilling recipes and expert tips, check out our latest guide,

Martha Stewart's Grilling: 125+ Recipes for Gatherings Large and Small

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Grilled Pork-and-Pineapple Tacos

Credit: Sidney Bensimon
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Our version of the Mexican classic, tacos al pastor, pairs spicy pork tenderloin with sweet pineapple on the grill.

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Grilled Pork Chops with Rosemary Gremolata

Credit: Con Poulos
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Summer on a plate! Thick pork chops flavored with garlic and rosemary are served with fresh figs, crisp roasted potatoes, and citrusy rosemary gremolata.

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Pork Tenderloin with Summer-Squash Couscous

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Juicy pork, succulent summer squash, nutty couscous, and tangy scallion-mint relish make a perfectly balanced dish. Plus, it's quick enough for a weeknight supper and nutritious to boot.

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Red Onion, Pork, and Pineapple with Sriracha-Pineapple Marinade

Credit: Andrew Purcell
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Pork tenderloin, onions, and pineapple all benefit from a quick turn on the grill. Even more so if they're brushed with an addictive Sriracha-pineapple sauce.

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Grilled Pork Cutlets with Watermelon-Cucumber Salad

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We would happily eat this easy Vietnamese- and Thai-inspired dish all summer. Watermelon, cucumber, jalapeno, basil, fish sauce, coriander, and lime juice make a most refreshing salad to top with grilled pork.

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Grilled Ribs

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Ribs are cooked low and slow in the oven until tender and finished on the grill, caramelizing the barbecue sauce and giving them the perfect amount of char.

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Pork Burgers with Peppers

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We turn the classic Italian sausage-and-peppers pairing into a burger. Slices of fresh mozzarella complete the dish.

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Grilled Pork Chops with Spice Paste

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A generous dose of paprika and cayenne punch up these pork loin chops. Serve with your favorite summer sides.

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Mojo Pork Kebabs

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Traditional Cuban mojo sauce calls for garlic, olive oil, and orange juice. Our version gets an extra kick from red-pepper flakes and lime juice and makes a delectable marinade for pork tenderloin, orange, and cucumber skewers.

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Lemongrass Pork Burgers

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These burgers incorporate all the Southeast Asian ingredients we love: lemongrass, ginger, fish sauce, cilantro, mint, and Thai chiles. Bonus: Using lettuce wraps instead of buns make them carb-free!

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Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Relish and Herb Rice

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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Ripe peaches and fluffy parsley-flecked rice are a great pairing for pork, and one you're going to want to repeat all summer.

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Chili-Lime Pork with Corn Salad

Credit: Johnny Miller
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Grilled pork tenderloins rubbed with chili powder and finished with lime juice would be delicious on their own, but a summer salad of corn, jalapeno, avocado, cilantro, and scallion really takes them to the next level.

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Pork Souvlaki

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Go Greek with your pork shoulder kebabs—give them fresh flavor with lemon, garlic, and oregano. Serve with a cooling yogurt sauce and more lemon.

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Tuscan Ribs

Credit: Ryan Liebe
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They're rubbed with hot paprika, fennel seeds, and fresh herbs, then roasted, broiled, and finished with a garlicky white-balsamic glaze. While these ribs can be made in the oven, grilling is the way to go when summer comes around.

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Orange-Glazed Pork Kebabs with Zucchini

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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Another use for marmalade besides toast! It makes a deliciously sticky-sweet glaze for cubes of pork tenderloin; just thin with water and mix with fiery red chiles.

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Grilled Pork and Noodle Salad with Basil, Cilantro, and Mint

Credit: Katie Quinn Davies
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A great make-ahead Asian-inspired recipe—the pork can be marinated in sambal oelek and fish sauce up to two days in advance, and the salad can be refrigerated for up to three hours. Garnish with sprigs of cilantro, mint, and basil just before serving.

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Honey-Soy Grilled Pork Chops with Crunchy Bok Choy

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Soy sauce, ginger, and honey make an irresistible glaze for pork rib chops. Serve with lightly charred bok choy and rice seasoned with vinegar and red-pepper flakes.

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Pepper-Jack Pork Burgers

Credit: JOHNNY MILER
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Juicy pork burgers are a surefire crowd-pleaser, especially when topped with grilled vegetables and gooey pepper Jack cheese.

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Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops with Grilled Zucchini

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Ground coriander and cumin give these bone-in loin chops lots of spice flavor. Flame-kissed zucchini brightened with lime zest and feta is the perfect accompaniment.

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Grilled Cedar-Plank Pork Loin

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Cedar planks aren't just for salmon! They're surprisingly easy to use and imbue pork with an inimitable smoky flavor.

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Chili-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

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Chili powder, sesame seeds, and garlic give this pork tenderloin unbelievable flavor. Sear it on the grill then transfer to indirect heat or finish in the oven.

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Mustard-Coated Pork Chops and Onions

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Mustard-lovers, this one's for you! Grilled boneless pork chops and onions both get smothered in grainy Dijon.

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Coriander-and-Oregano-Brined Pork Loin

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Another day, another brine—this one's got coriander seeds and fresh oregano. Bathe boneless pork loin in it for up to eight hours and then hit the grill.

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Grilled Pork Chops with Peach-Tomato Barbecue Sauce

Credit: Petrina Tinslay
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Simmer together tomato sauce, peach jam, and ripe peaches, and the result will blow any store-bought barbecue sauce you've had out of the water. Baste these chops with it and serve it on the side—you're going to want extra.

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By Zee Krstic