Mastering the Art of Cooking Costco’s Succulent Souvlaki Pork Chops

As a frequent Costco shopper and pork enthusiast, I was thrilled to discover their thick, juicy souvlaki-style pork chops. The flavorful Mediterranean marinade provides a tasty twist on ordinary pork chops. However, I found that Costco doesn’t provide much guidance on how to cook their pre-marinated pork chops to crispy, juicy perfection at home.

Through trial and error in my kitchen I’ve honed my techniques for cooking these mouthwatering Costco souvlaki pork chops using various methods like baking, pan-searing grilling, and more. In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about prepping, cooking, and serving Costco’s signature souvlaki chops for sensational results every time.

What Makes Costco Souvlaki Chops So Tasty

Costco’s pork souvlaki chops have some key advantages that make them stand out:

• Generous 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch thickness retains moisture during cooking
• Abundant marbling provides rich, flavorsome fat
• Brined with a zesty Greek-inspired marinade featuring lemon, garlic, and oregano
• Convenient pre-seasoned chops reduce prep work
• Packaged in pairs so you get impressive individual portions
• Thick cuts allow for charring on the grill or pan without overcooking

These factors all contribute to juicy, full-flavored chops with a delicious Mediterranean twist.

Tips for Preparing Souvlaki Pork Chops

While Costco does most of the prep work for you there are still a few tips I’ve learned to ensure your souvlaki chops come out perfect

• Remove packaging and let sit 20-30 minutes – This allows the meat to lose chill from the fridge and prevents a grey ring around the edge when cooking.

• Pat dry with paper towels – Blotting removes excess moisture for better browning

• Score fat cap – Use a sharp knife to cut shallow slits in the outer fat cap. This helps render fat and create crispier edges.

• Bring to room temp – Let chops sit out for 20-30 minutes until closer to room temp before cooking for more even heating.

• Make extra marinade – Use leftover marinade as a sauce for serving or as a flavor boost when sautéing veggies.

Following these simple pre-cooking steps helps you get the very best results when cooking up these flavor-packed chops.

Baking Juicy, Tender Souvlaki Chops

Baking is my favorite hands-off approach for cooking souvlaki pork chops to perfection:

• Preheat oven to 375°F – Use a lower temp than pork’s standard 400°F to prevent overcooking these thicker chops.

• Prepare marinade and chops – Whisk together oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Brush chops with half the marinade.

• Bake 20 minutes – Place chops in a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes to partially cook through.

• Flip chops and bake 20 more minutes – Remove from oven, flip chops and brush with remaining marinade. Bake until 145°F internal temp.

• Rest 5 minutes – Let chops rest to allow juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.

The gradual oven heat tenderizes the meat resulting in succulent, flavorful chops coated in a tasty browned marinade crust.

Sizzling Skillet Method

For an easy stovetop cooking method, a hot skillet produces seared, saucy chops:

• Heat skillet over medium-high heat – Use a heavy skillet like cast iron to retain heat for proper searing.

• Coat skillet with oil – Swirl a tablespoon of olive or avocado oil to lightly coat the preheated skillet surface.

• Sear chops 2-3 minutes per side – Lay chops in hot skillet and let sear undisturbed to caramelize the marinade and fat cap.

• Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more – Turn chops and sear second side until browned. Remove when internal temp hits 145°F.

• Make pan sauce – After removing chops, add wine, stock, lemon juice to skillet and scrape up browned bits.

The blazing heat of the skillet caramelizes the exterior creating an incredible crust on the chops in minutes.

Grilled Chops with Smoky Char

For next-level flavor, firing up the grill imparts irresistible smoky notes:

• Oil the grates – This prevents sticking. Use a folded paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to lightly coat grates.

• Sear over direct heat – Grill chops over hottest part of grill for 2-3 minutes per side to char exteriors.

• Move to indirect heat – Transfer chops to cooler side of grill to finish cooking without burning.

• Flip occasionally – Flip chops every 2-3 minutes until internal temp hits 145°F.

• Brush with marinade – During last few minutes of grilling, glaze chops with remaining marinade to adhere flavorful crust.

The live fire kissed flavor of the grill takes already delicious chops to new heights.

Serving Up Flavor-Packed Souvlaki Chops

Don’t let all that flavor go to waste! Here are my tips for serving Costco’s souvlaki pork chops:

• Let chops rest 5-10 minutes – This allows juices to redistribute through meat for a juicy cut.

• Slice across the grain – Cut each chop diagonally across the grain into 1⁄4 inch slices for tenderest texture.

• Pour extra marinade on top – Use leftover marinade as a sauce drizzled over the hot chops before serving.

• Pair with tzatziki – Cool, creamy tzatziki sauce complements the chops perfectly.

• Add a Greek salad – Chopped veggie salad with olives, feta cheese, and Mediterranean dressing is ideal.

• Serve with roasted veggies – Caramelized roasted potatoes, peppers, or other veggies enhance the meal.

With my tips, you can serve up professional-quality Costco souvlaki pork chops for an effortless gourmet meal. Opaa!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Souvlaki Chops

• Should I marinate the chops myself? The convenient pre-marinated chops eliminate this step and infuse flavor throughout meat.

• What if my chops are too thick to cook through? Opt for lower heat methods like baking or braising rather than searing or grilling massive chops.

• Can I freeze uncooked souvlaki chops? Yes, they freeze well for 2-3 months. Thaw in fridge before cooking.

• How long will chops last in the fridge? Cook within 3-5 days of purchasing for best quality and flavor.

• What if my chops dry out? Make sure not to overcook and let chops rest before slicing to retain moisture and juices.

Infuse Your Meals with Souvlaki Flavor

Costco’s souvlaki-marinated pork chops present an easy way to infuse Greek zing into your meals. With my tested tips for preparing, cooking, and serving these tasty chops, you can achieve grill-worthy gourmet results in your own kitchen. Souvlaki down!