The smoked pork chops are a simple weeknight meal that doesn’t take much time or effort to make. They’re smoky, juicy, and incredibly tender. To get the best smoked chops of your life, all you need is smoke and a good sweet rub.
Juicy, flavorful smoked pork chops are easier to make than you think, thanks to the set-it-and-forget it convenience of pellet grills. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy competition-worthy smoked pork chops right in your own backyard.
Why Smoke Pork Chops on a Pellet Grill?
Pellet grills are ideal for smoking pork chops for several reasons:
-
Provides constant low temperature which is perfect for gently smoking pork chops without drying them out.
-
Infuses pork with delicious smoked wood flavor from 100% natural hardwood pellets
-
Requires very minimal supervision unlike charcoal or stick burners. Just set the temp and relax.
-
Gives pork chops an appetizing pink smoke ring just under the surface
-
Allows you to load up a whole batch for meal prepping.
-
Makes it easy to achieve competition-level BBQ pork chops.
So if you want juicy, smoky pork chops without the fuss, a pellet grill is definitely the way to go.
How to Smoke Perfect Pork Chops on a Pellet Grill
Follow this simple process for foolproof smoked pork chops every time:
Choose the Right Chops
-
Pick boneless or bone-in pork chops at least 1-inch thick. Thinner chops dry out.
-
Opt for center cut boneless loin chops for the most tender and flavorful option.
-
Check for good marbling and color. Avoid dark spots or blotchiness.
Prepare the Chops
-
Pat pork chops dry then coat lightly with oil or mustard to help sear.
-
Season generously with a sweet & spicy pork rub. Let sit while pellet grill heats.
-
For extra flavor, brine or marinate chops for 1-2 hours before smoking.
Smoke the Chops
-
Preheat pellet grill to 225°F using a milder wood pellet flavor like apple or cherry.
-
Place seasoned chops directly on the grill grates. No need for extra pans or racks.
-
Insert a probe thermometer to monitor internal temp. Remove at 145°F.
-
Smoke for 1-2 hours until chops reach the target internal temperature.
Rest and Slice
-
Let chops rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
-
Cut against the grain for maximum tenderness. Enjoy!
It only takes a few tips and paying attention to internal temperature to smoke incredible pork chops in your pellet grill.
Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Smoked Pork Chops
Dial in the details with these tips:
-
Apply rub generously on all sides to form a flavorful bark.
-
Use apple, cherry, pecan or maple wood pellets for milder smoke flavor.
-
Spritz with apple juice or cider while smoking to prevent drying out.
-
Brine or marinate chops beforehand for extra moisture and flavor.
-
Smoke at 225-250°F for best results. Avoid too high heat.
-
Rely on probes, not times. Cook to 145°F internal temperature.
-
Let rest before slicing to allow juices to absorb back into meat.
-
Always slice against the grain for tenderness.
Troubleshooting Pellet Grill Smoked Pork Chops
Smoking pork chops on a pellet grill is pretty easy but here are some common issues and fixes:
Problem: Chops turn out dry and chewy
Fix: Cook at too high temperature. Stay below 250°F. Check your thermometers.
Problem: Chops take too long to smoke
Fix: Increase heat to 250°F. Buy thicker chops. Check pellet grill is heating properly.
Problem: Chops have weak smoke flavor
Fix: Use more pellets. Try stronger blend like hickory. Avoid foil which blocks smoke.
Problem: Bark is bitter or burnt tasting
Fix: Use milder wood pellet flavor. Smoke at lower temp around 225°F. Mist with apple juice.
Problem: Chops don’t get enough smoke ring
Fix: Make sure thin blue smoke. Smoke for longer time. Use stronger wood pellet flavor.
With good technique, you can troubleshoot any issues and turn out excellent smoked pork chops every time using your pellet grill.
Incredible Pellet Grill Smoked Pork Chop Recipes
Take your chops up a notch with these amazing smoked pork chop recipes:
-
Brown Sugar Rubbed Smoked Pork Chops – Caramelized brown sugar crust.
-
Beer Brined Smoked Pork Chops – Extra juicy and flavorful.
-
Blackberry Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops – Sweet and tangy.
-
Sriracha Maple Smoked Pork Chops – Touch of heat.
-
Asian Hoisin Smoked Pork Chops – Savory Chinese take.
-
Coffee Rubbed Smoked Pork Chops – Wake up your chops.
-
Smoked Pork Chops with Peach Salsa – Juicy fruit flavors.
The possibilities are endless when smoking pork chops on your pellet grill. Get creative with rubs, brines and sauces!
Juicy, smoky pork chops are easy to achieve in your backyard pellet grill. Follow these tips for selecting, prepping and smoking pork chops low and slow. Rely on temperature, not times, and you’ll turn out perfect pork chops with gorgeous smoke rings. Serve up these meaty masterpieces and you’ll be the neighborhood pitmaster in no time!
How to Cook Smoked Pork Chops
So you’ve picked out your bone-in or boneless pork chops. You’ve set up your smoker and are ready to cook some tasty smoked pork chops, right? Here are the steps you need to take to make sure they are juicy and full of flavor.
- Preheat your smoker. Smoke your meat over apple, maple, or pecan wood until the smoker reaches 225 degrees F. I use a SmokePro Pellet Grills by Camp Chef.
- Season the chops. Put olive oil on all sides of the pork chops and sprinkle my Signature Sweet Rub all over them.
- Grill or smoke those pork chops! Put them on the smoker and cook until a good meat thermometer reads 145 degrees F inside (about 60 to 90 minutes).
- Tent, rest, and serve. Remove the pork chops from the smoker. Place them on a plate and tent with foil. Allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You can serve it plain or with apple sauce or sweet BBQ sauce on the side.
Okay, that’s it! These are incredibly simple to make and make a great stress-free dinner choice for busy weeknights.
The Best Smoked Pork Chops
These pork chops are incredible. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying they are the BEST smoked pork chops ever. They’re easy to make and only require a few ingredients. In my opinion, a simple pork chop doesn’t need a lot of fluff. They only need some good rub and smoke. When you smoke chops, you want to be able to taste both the pork and the smoke at the same time. Generously rub on some seasoning, and you’ve got a simple, yet amazingly flavorful chop.
Apple wood pellets are the best thing to use for these chops because they go so well with pork. (Other good options include any fruit wood, maple, or pecan). These chops taste sweet, spicy, smoky, and salty when I add my Hey Grill Hey Signature Sweet Rub to them. Plus, smoking a good thick chop ensures they turn out juicy and incredibly tender. The texture is almost buttery, and they basically melt in your mouth. If you don’t have any Sweet Rub on hand, you can make it yourself using my Best Sweet Rub for Pork and Chicken recipe.
These chops are perfect as-is. They don’t need any fancy sauces or dips. But if you grew up eating pork with apples like I did, a side of chunky, home-made applesauce will really make this chop taste right. If you want to get a little saucy, my Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce is crazy good as well.
Smoked Pork Chops | How To Cook Easy Smoked Pork Chops On A Pellet Grill
FAQ
How long does it take to smoke pork chops at 225 degrees?
How do you keep pork chops moist when smoking?
Do you flip pork chops when smoking?
How to cook pork chops on a pellet grill?
Now it’s time to fire up your pellet grill. Set the temperature to 225°F and allow the grill to preheat for about 15 minutes. While the grill is heating up, fill the hopper with your choice of wood pellets. For pork chops, fruit woods such as apple or cherry are excellent options, as they impart a sweet and mild smoky flavor.
How long do you smoke pork chops on a pellet grill?
You want to smoke your pork chops for 45 minutes- 60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. You should always use a meat probe when cooking pork. Smoking pork chops is an incredibly quick and easy way to cook. Just cover in your favorite seasonings set the grill temperature, and let the pellet grill do all the work.
How do you smoke pork chops in a pellet smoker?
Fire up your Pit Boss and smoke some chops! Prepare the marinade and let the pork chops soak in the refrigerator for one hour. Remove the chops from the marinade, pat dry with paper towels and season with the dry rub. Set your pellet smoker to 250F. Smoke the chops for one hour or until an internal temperature of 145F is reached.
How long do you smoke pork chops in a smoker?
Heat the smoker to 250 degrees. Sprinkle the rub on the chops. Place pork chops on the smoker. Smoke until the internal temperature of the pork chop reaches 145 degrees F, about one hour. Remove chops and allow to rest for 10 minutes, loosely covered with foil. More of my favorite pork recipes! Love it? Please rate it below!