How To Grill Smoked Pork Chops on Pellet Grill

Name: How To Grill Smoked Pork Chops on Pellet Grill
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 95 min
Ingredients: 4 bone-in pork chops (or boneless pork chops); 2 tbsp olive oil; 3 tbsp dry pork rub (link for homemade rub is down below in the notes)

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There's nothing quite like Smoked Pork Chops. They're thick, juicy, and full of flavor. Not to mention, they're really easy to make on a pellet grill! The pork chops are first covered in a delicious pork rub that gives them a nice crusty exterior, and the inside is so tender with a lovely smoke flavor. Ready? Let's fire up the smoker!

A white plate filled with smoked pork chops.

You must know by now I am all about simple recipes, and this recipe is for anyone who is a fan of pork chops.

This smoked pork chop recipe is one of the first items we cooked on the pellet grill.

The pellet grill cooks the pork over indirect heat at a low temperature, so the meat never gets dried out like it can on a gas grill.

My Homemade Pork Rub leaves a brown crusty exterior that is irresistible. Pair these chops with Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Perogies, Smoked Corn on the Cob, and Oven-Roasted Potatoes for a complete meal! We think these are the best pork chops ever!

For more delicious pork recipes, check out Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends on Pellet Grill and Best Traeger Pork Recipes.

🐖 More Pork Recipes

Jump to:

🐖 More Pork Recipes
🐖 What are pork chops?
❤️ Why this recipe works
🐖 Ingredient notes and substitutions
♨️ Instructions
📖 Variations
🍽 Equipment
🌡️ Storage
💭 Top tips
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🥗 Side dishes
👪 More easy recipes you'll love
📋 Recipe
📑 Food safety
💬 Comments

🐖 What are pork chops?

Pork chops are a cut of meat that is typically cut from the pork loin or pork shoulder. They can be either boneless or bone-in, and they are often trimmed of fat before cooking.

Pork chops are a popular choice for both grilling and baking, and they can be served with a variety of side dishes.

When choosing pork chops, look for cuts that are pink in color and have a small amount of marbling. These pork chops will be tender and juicy after cooking. Avoid pork chops that are pale in color or have excessive fat, as these will likely be tough and dry.

❤️ Why this recipe works

Prep time is only 5 minutes.
Smoking pork chops is a great way to add flavor. The smoke infuses the meat with a fantastic flavor you can't get from grilling or baking.
Smoking yields the most tender pork chops, and they are so unbelievably juicy.
Pork chops are a great source of protein.
This recipe works for either slow-smoked boneless pork chops or thick bone-in pork chops.
These really are the best smoked pork chops.
This is another super easy recipe. Just set the temperature on the pellet grill and let the electric smoker do all the work.
They're versatile. Whether you're looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a show-stopping main course for a special occasion, smoked pork chops fit the bill.
They are scalable. Make as many as you need to feed small or large groups.
Smoked pork chops make great leftovers. They reheat beautifully, so don't be afraid to make extra. You'll thank yourself later when you have a delicious meal waiting in the fridge.

🐖 Ingredient notes and substitutions

This recipe uses basic ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. There is a wide selection of pork chops to choose from, including rib chops, sirloin chops, blade chops, thin boneless pork chops, and thick bone-in pork chops.

Ingredients for smoked pork chops on a table.

Pork chops. I used thick bone-in pork chops. However, this recipe will work for any kind of pork chop, thinner chops or thicker chops.
Dry spice rub. I used my homemade pork rub. It contains basic ingredients such as onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. You can also use this homemade sweet rub for chicken works for chicken and pork. However, feel free to use your favorite spice rub.
Olive oil. I used extra virgin olive oil, but you can use canola oil or avocado oil.

See the recipe card for quantities.

♨️ Instructions

Only a few steps are needed to make these delicious pork chops on the smoker.

Preheat your pellet smoker to 250 degrees F.

Dry pork chops with paper towels. Then, rub the pork chops with olive oil, either using your hand or a brush.

A red brush applying olive oil to the chop.

Mix spice rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Apply spice rub liberally all over to coat pork chops. Make sure you cover the top, bottom, and sides of the pork chops.

A spoon applying dry rub to the pork chop.

Place pork chops on the smoker grates, making sure they are not touching each other.

Prepared pork chops placed on the grill grate of smoker.

Close grill, and smoke the pork chops for about one hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F in the thickest part with a temperature probe.

I like to flip them after 30 minutes so that each side has grill marks and they have an even smoke ring.

Remove the pork chops from the smoker and let them rest for about 5 minutes.

Place pork steaks on a serving platter and serve with your favorite side dishes. Season pork chops with black peppercorns or kosher salt if desired.

Enjoy!

A side view of pork chops on a white plate.

📖 Variations

You can change the flavor of these smoked pork chops by switching up the ingredients. Some different ways to change up the chops are:

Spicy - add chili pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or extra chili powder to the spice rub to give the pork chops a little bit of heat.
Saucy - brush your favorite BBQ sauce on the pork chops in the last few minutes of the cooking process.
Kets/sugar-free - leave out the brown sugar in the spice rub, or use your favorite sugar substitute.

HINT: I like to serve a thick-cut pork chop with a tart apple sauce. The flavors go really well together.

🍽 Equipment

Smoker: The smoker I used is a Pit Boss smoker 8-1 grill that uses 100% wood pellets as fuel instead of gas and propane. I also have a Traeger pellet grill which we love as well. Any type of smoker will give you great results.

Wood pellets: I used apple wood pellets to smoke these pork chops. I love the flavor it gives them. You can also use hickory or Competition blend pellets.

Instant-read meat thermometer: This is an essential tool if you own a smoker. We use a digital thermometer to check for doneness. This ensures that your food is always perfectly cooked.

🌡️ Storage

Leftover smoked pork chops can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for three days or frozen for up to 3 months.

If you have lots of leftovers, slice them or leave them whole, place them in a Ziploc bag, and pop them in the freezer for meal prep, school, or work lunches.

💭 Top tips

Use pork chops that are about one inch thick. Thicker pork chops will stay juicier during the smoking process.
Bone-in chops will be more flavorful than boneless chops.
Remove any fat cap before smoking.
Thin pork chops will cook faster than a thick cut pork chop. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Use a large baking sheet for ease when carrying the pork chops out to the grill and back in again.

A closeup view of pork chops on white plate.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do you smoke bone-in pork chops?

The smoke time for bone-in pork chops is anywhere from 1-1.5 hours, depending on the thickness of the chop and the heat of your smoker. I like to smoke them at around 250 degrees for about 1 hour.

Do you flip pork chops when smoking?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as different people have different preferences. Some people do flip their pork chops while smoking them, as they believe it helps them achieve more even cooking. Others find that flipping the pork chops can lead to them becoming dry or overcooked. I like to flip them to get grill marks on both sides.

What temperature do you smoke thick pork chops?

Smoking pork chops at a low temperature of around 250 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. This will help ensure that the pork chops are cooked through and have a nice, smoky flavor.

What temperature do pork chops need to be?

The internal temperature of the chops needs to be 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you smoke thin cut pork chops?

Yes, you can smoke thin cut pork chops. However, you'll need to adjust the cooking time to ensure that they cook evenly. Follow the exact directions above, but smoke them at 250 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork chop is 145 degrees.

How do you know when a pork chop is done without a thermometer?

The best way to determine whether or not a pork chop is done without a meat thermometer is to check for doneness by cutting into the chop. The juices should run clear, and there should be no pink in the middle. There will be a little pink at the outside edge of the chop as this is the smoke ring.

🥗 Side dishes

👪 More easy recipes you'll love

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