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Smoked Brown Sugar-Brined Pork Chops

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  • Prep 10 min
  • Total 4 hr 40 min
  • Servings 6
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Looking for a sweet and spicy dinner? Then check out this smoked pork chops recipe.
Updated May 11, 2010
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup salt
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 4 cups water
  • 6 bone-in center-cut pork loin chops, about 1 inch thick (4 to 5 lb)
  • 4 to 6 chunks wood for smoking (hickory, mesquite or apple)*
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

Steps

  • 1
    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.
  • 2
    Cover wood chunks with water; soak at least 30 minutes.
  • 3
    Drain wood chunks. Prepare and heat smoker using wood chunks and adding water to water pan following manufacturer’s directions.
  • 4
    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.
  • 5
    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.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    Brining foods is now very trendy, but it's actually a centuries-old process. A brine is a marinade consisting of water and salt, with sugar, herbs or spices added for flavor. The concentration of salt in the water causes the food being brined (usually meat, poultry and fish) to absorb more of the water than if it were soaked in a traditional marinade containing a lot of acid ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar. The added moisture stays in the food during smoking or grilling, making it very moist but not too salty.

Nutrition

180 Calories, 8g Total Fat, 21g Protein, 6g Total Carbohydrate, 6g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
180
Calories from Fat
70
Total Fat
8g
12%
Saturated Fat
2 1/2g
13%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
60mg
20%
Sodium
430mg
18%
Potassium
290mg
8%
Total Carbohydrate
6g
2%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
6g
Protein
21g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
4%
4%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 3 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 0 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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