Brined, perfectly seasoned, and smoked to perfection. My Traeger Pro 780 smoked these Smoked Traeger Pork Chops, which were juicy, meaty, and full of flavor! Let’s light up your smoker and make the best pork chops you’ve ever had!
I cooked a few different kinds of pork chops and used two different kinds of seasoning to make this recipe. All chops were brined before seasoning for 8 hours.
The #1 thing I love about pork is how inexpensive it is to purchase. You can buy pork at your local grocery store or butcher. Choose your favorite thick-cut pork chops to use for this pork recipe.
I prefer bone-in pork chops over boneless pork chops. I think the bone gives it extra flavor. But choose what you like best!.
I bought a variety pack of pork which had boneless, loin, and rib chops. It’s easy to save money and get a lot of pork chops when you shop at big box stores like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Another great inexpensive pork recipe is my smoked pork butt recipe. Its great for feeding a lot of people for a small amount of $.
As a passionate home cook and grill master, I love cooking up thin boneless pork chops on my Traeger grill. When done right they deliver a mouthwatering combo of smoky flavor, juiciness, and convenience.
Thick pork chops with bones are sometimes better, but thin chops are better for quick weeknight meals. This article has all the tips and tricks I know to always grill thin pork chops perfectly on the Traeger. Let’s get firing up those pork chops!.
Benefits of Thin Pork Chops for Grilling
Thin pork chops have some advantages that make them a great choice for the Traeger
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Cook quickly – Without thick bones or excess fat, thin chops grill up fast Ideal for weeknights
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Tender and lean – Less fat means they cook up tender without being greasy.
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Huge surface area—More space to add seasoning and create tasty char.
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Easy to monitor – Their thin profile lets you easily monitor doneness.
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Versatile and affordable – An inexpensive yet delicious grilled option.
So for a fast dinner full of smoky pork flavor, thin chops are perfect for the Traeger.
Choosing Your Thin Pork Chops
You can find thin pork chops at any grocery store, usually around 1⁄2 inch thick. Opt for chops between 4-8 ounces with nice marbling throughout. The marbling bastes the meat and keeps it juicy.
Boneless chops are easiest, but bone-in works too if thinly sliced. Avoid chops with thick bones, large pockets of fat, or shriveled edges. For ideal results, choose uniform chops of similar size and thickness.
Prepping Pork Chops for the Traeger
Proper prep ensures your thin chops grill up super flavorful:
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Pat chops dry – Remove excess moisture with paper towels. Allows seasoning to stick better.
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Brush with oil – A light coat of olive or avocado oil enables ideal charring.
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Generously season – I love using Traeger pork rub but feel free to get creative.
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Let sit 20-30 minutes – Allows time for seasonings to penetrate the meat.
That’s all the prep needed for mouthwatering magic. Now let’s get grilling!
Grilling Thin Pork Chops on the Traeger
With your chops prepped and ready, it’s go time. Follow these simple steps:
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Preheat to 450°F – High heat sear the outside and lock in juices.
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Add chops directly to grates – No need for a pan or foil. Nice grill marks!
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Grill 6 minutes per side – Flipping halfway through. This timing is for 1⁄2 inch thick chops.
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Check temperature – Grill until 145°F internal temp using a meat thermometer.
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Rest 5 minutes – Allows juices to redistribute so meat stays tender.
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Serve and enjoy! – Garnish with a sprinkle of Traeger Fin & Feather rub for a final flavor punch.
That’s all there is to it! Perfectly cooked thin pork chops off the Traeger in about 15 minutes.
Handling Thicker Pork Chops on the Traeger
If you have slightly thicker pork chops, around 3⁄4 – 1 inch, a few adjustments are needed:
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Lower temp to 400°F – Gives more time for inside to cook without burning outside.
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Increase grill time – May need 8-10 minutes per side depending on thickness.
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Monitor temperature – Grill until internal temp hits 145°F then remove immediately.
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Rest 5-7 minutes – Helps thicken chops fully cook through.
Thicker chops just require a little more time and temp monitoring for the best results. Still grill delicious!
Infusing Your Pork Chops with Flavor
While basic salt and pepper delivers tasty grilled chops, there are endless ways to pump up the flavor:
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Dry rubs – Smoked paprika, brown sugar, coffee, chili powder, Traeger Pork and Poultry.
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Marinades – Apple cider, garlic, mustard, citrus, soy sauce, herbs.
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Brines – Soak chops for added moisture and seasoning.
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Glazes/sauces – Apply savory barbecue glaze for the last few minutes on the grill.
Try new seasoning and marinade combos to discover your go-to Traeger pork chop flavor.
Serving Up Your Perfect Pork Chops
The best part of grilling thin pork chops? Dishing them out hot off the Traeger. Some tasty pairing ideas:
- Fluffy mashed or baked potatoes
- Grilled pineapple slices
- Fresh garden salad with vinaigrette
- Rice pilaf or roasted veggies
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Warm cornbread or buttermilk biscuits
Get creative with your sides based on the seasonings used on your pork chops. A perfect weeknight meal awaits!
Common Questions about Thin Pork Chops on the Traeger
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What temperature should I grill thin pork chops at?
450°F gives the nice sear while ensuring the inside cooks fully.
How long does it take to cook them?
Around 6 minutes per side for 1/2 inch chops. Up to 10 minutes per side for thicker chops.
Do I need to rest pork chops after grilling?
Yes, let them rest 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
What if my pork chop is undercooked?
Pop it back on the grill for another minute or two until it reaches 145°F internal temp.
How can I prevent dry pork chops on the Traeger?
Avoid overcooking by monitoring temperature closely. Some moisture loss is normal.
Tips for Grilling Juicy, Flavorful Thin Pork Chops
Follow these tips for the best thin pork chops off your Traeger grill every time:
- Choose uniform thin chops around 1⁄2 inch thick with marbling
- Prepare chops with oil, seasonings, and short marinade
- Grill at 450°F, flipping once halfway through
- Use a meat thermometer for 145°F internal temp
- Allow chops to rest 5 minutes before serving
- Get creative with dry rubs, marinades and sauces
- Pair with fun and tasty sides
With my guide, you can achieve tender, juicy, and smoky grilled pork chops that are simple enough for hectic weeknights but delicious enough for backyard entertaining. Fire up the Traeger and enjoy!
Smoking the pork chops
Now comes the fun part! Pre-heat your smoker to 225°F to get that heat and smoke rolling. Use your favorite wood. I like to use hickory pellets when smoking pork chops.
Place the pork chops directly on the Traegers grill grates and smoke until an internal temperature of 135°F. This should take about 1:15 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to test the internal temp.
When an instant-read thermometer reads 135° IT, the pork chops are done. Take them out of the smoker and set them aside. Tent loosely with aluminum foil and turn the heat up on the smoker to 450°F.
I like to put my searing grates on the smoker at this time. These are great for getting nice sear marks on your Traeger Smoked Pork Chops. These will work with any smoker by simply laying directly on top of the grill racks.
Put the pork chops back on the smoker’s rack or searing grates when the grill reaches 450°F. Cook for three to four more minutes on each side until a meat probe inserted into the chops shows that the internal temperature has reached 145°F.
The lowest finished internal temperature when cooking pork should be 145°F. This ensures a safe pork chop preventing any potential foodborne illness.
How to cook a traeger pork chop
First, we’re going to brine these pork chops so that when they’re done cooking, they are nice and tender. Use some great sweet spice mixes to season them just right, and cook them to perfection on the Traeger 780 smoker.
Brine is a salt water mixture that you soak the pork in for 8-12 hours before cooking to help tenderize the meat as well as make it nice and juicy when cooked. This makes a BIG difference in the texture and flavor of these pork chops. DONT SKIP THIS PROCESS!
Add all the brine ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from the stove and allow to cool to room temperature before adding the pork.
Place in the refrigerator overnight or the morning before you plan on smoking your pork chops.
Im using two different seasonings for this pork chop recipe. Meat Churchs Honey Hog BBQ and Traegers Pork & Poultry (Apple & Honey). Have a different spice mix you like? Use it!
Before you season the pork chops, take them out of the brine and rinse them under cool water to get rid of any extra salt. Place on a drying rack and pat dry with paper towels to dry.
Secondly, wipe some olive oil over the pork chops. Make sure to get both sides of the pork.
Third, generacialy season the pork chops on both sides with your favorite seasoning. Dont be shy, get them coated well. Then allow to rest at room temperature for about an hour before throwing on the smoker.