Best Smoked Brown Sugar Brined Pork Chops Recipes

SMOKED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Add wood chips according to manufacturer's directions.
• Combine salt, brown sugar, pepper, paprika, ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano in a small bowl. Stir until evenly combined. Sprinkle over both sides of each pork chop.
• Place pork chops directly on the smoker grate. Smoke for 2 hours 30 minutes. Remove chops from the smoker and let rest for 10 minutes.

SMOKED BROWN SUGAR-BRINED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In 2-gallon-size heavy-duty resealable plastic food-storage bag, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, the salt, bay leaves, garlic, peppercorns and 4 cups water. Seal bag and squeeze to mix until sugar and salt have dissolved. Place pork chops in bag of brine; seal bag. Refrigerate at least 3 hours but no longer than 8 hours.
• Cover wood chunks with water; soak at least 30 minutes.
• Drain wood chunks. Prepare and heat smoker using wood chunks and adding water to water pan following manufacturer's directions.
• Meanwhile, remove pork chops from brine; discard brine. Blot pork chops dry with paper towels. In small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons brown sugar, the garlic powder, black pepper and red pepper. Rub each side of pork chops with slightly less than 1 teaspoon brown sugar mixture.
• Arrange pork chops 1 inch apart on top and bottom smoker racks. Cover and smoke about 1 hour 30 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center of pork reads 160°F (pork will remain pink when done). If smoking stops, add additional wood chunks through side door of smoker.

SMOKED PORK CHOPS WITH PEACH BOURBON BBQ SAUCE

Steps:

• Once the brine has cooled completely, add the chops and allow to soak for at least 6 but no more than 12 hours. Remove chops from brine just before smoking.
• Smoke pork until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F, or about 1 to 2 hours
• Keep grill temperature at approximately 200 to 250 degrees F or pork will overcook. Smoke chops until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F. After desired internal temperature is reached, brush chops lightly with oil and grill over hot coals for 1 1/2 minutes; rotate 1/4 turn clockwise and grill 1 minute more to create attractive grill marks. Flip chop and repeat grilling method; the prettier side is the top.
• Chops should ultimately reach an internal temperature of 150 to 160 degrees F. If necessary, place chops in 375 degree F oven after grilling to finish cooking. For an extra fancy presentation, pull the pork off the bone, slice into 1/4-inch strips and fan out on the plate.
• Brush grilled chops with melted butter and let rest 2 minutes before serving. Place each chop on the plate on a serving plate. Serve with peach bourbon bbq sauce.
• Serving suggestion: Try adding a starch as an accompaniment: mashed potatoes, stewed white beans, or even steamed brown rice.
• In a nonreactive, stainless steel 8-quart saucepan, bring all brine ingredients to a boil and stir until sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Transfer to a 1-gallon plastic or stainless steel container and refrigerate until completely cooled.
• In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sweat for several minutes until soft. Add peaches, bring to simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add lemon juice, cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken stock. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until thick. Add whiskey, return to simmer, cook for 5 more minutes and remove from the heat. Adjust seasoning and sweetness. Puree mixture with immersion blender or food processor until smooth and thick.

PERFECT SMOKED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Start your work at least 8 hours before you want to eat.
• Brine the meat. In a bowl or pot large enough to hold chops and 1 gallon of water, combine brine ingredients. Start with 2 cups of hot water to dissolve salt and sugar. After salt & sugar are completely dissolved, add more cold water and some ice to bring volume to 1 gallon. Make sure the brine solution is cold and add chops -- they should be completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.
• Smoke the chops. Smoking methods can vary. I use a barrel-smoker with an external firebox. Other methods will work, but be sure your temperature stays in the range of 175-200 F and never expose the chops to direct heat . When fire/smoke is ready, remove pork from brine and pat dry with paper towel. Place in smoker. Use hickory, mesquite or apple wood (or combinations), smoke for 1 hour. At this point, the chops can be cooked or reserved in refrigerator for several hours.
• Cook the chops. Just before cooking, apply about 1 tablespoon of the rub to both sides. Grill on direct heat. This will take about 30 minutes. Be prepared to move the chops to indirect heat for a while of they are getting too brown prior to being done. Cook to an internal temperature of 140°F Remove from grill and rest 5 minutes before serving. Meat will be pink and very juicy -- don't worry about the pink! As long as you achieve a temperature of 140 in the thickest part of the chop, it's safe to eat (the trichinosis bug dies at 137 F). If you prefer a more well-done chop, cook to 150 before removing from heat.
• But, in my opinion, at that temperature, you've just wasted a day's work.

GRILLED BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
• In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, apple juice, oil, soy sauce, ginger, salt , and pepper. Bring to boil. Combine water and cornstarch in small bowl, and whisk into brown sugar mixture. Stir until thick.
• Brush grate lightly with oil before placing pork chops on the grill. Cook over hot coals for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once. Brush with sauce just before removing chops from grill. Serve with remaining sauce.