Orange-Brined Pork Chops with Herb Rub

  • Prep 10 min
  • Total 6 hr 35 min
  • Servings 4

Ingredients

BRINE

  • 6 cups water
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange peel

CHOPS

  • 4 (1 1/4-inch-thick) bone-in pork loin chops
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

Steps

  • 1
    In large nonmetal bowl, combine all brine ingredients; mix well. Add pork chops. Cover bowl; refrigerate 6 to 8 hours to marinate. In small bowl, combine all remaining ingredients; mix well. Set aside.
  • 2
    Heat grill. Remove pork chops from brine; discard brine. Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Rub brown sugar-herb mixture into both sides of pork chops.
  • 3
    When ready to grill, place pork chops on gas grill over medium-high heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium-high coals. Cook 20 to 25 minutes or until no longer pink in center, turning once.

  • Brine is salt water used to pickle or preserve foods. Brining flavors and tenderizes meat and poultry before cooking.
  • Kosher salt is characterized by larger grains than table salt and is free of the additives used in table salt to keep the grains from clumping. Cooks favor kosher salt for its purity and use it for brine and for other preparations that rely on salt.
  • To broil pork chops, place on broiler pan; broil 4 to 6 inches from heat using times above as a guide, turning once.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
370
Calories from Fat
130
Total Fat
15g
23%
Saturated Fat
5g
26%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
120mg
40%
Sodium
7170mg
299%
Potassium
570mg
16%
Total Carbohydrate
18g
6%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
17g
Protein
42g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
2%
2%
Calcium
4%
4%
Iron
10%
10%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 1 Very Lean Meat; 5 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 0 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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