Do you love smoky, juicy pork chops with tangy BBQ sauce? Then this recipe for Traeger smoked thin pork chops is for you! It's perfect for quick weeknight dinners, weekends, or any time you want a quick and easy dinner with a delicious smoky flavor.
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Why You’ll Love It
- Quick and Easy: Ready in less than 30 minutes, these pork chops are perfect for busy days.
- Smoky Flavor: Cooking on a Traeger grill infuses the chops with irresistible smokiness.
- Homemade Rub: A blend of spices that you probably already have in your pantry.
- Delicious BBQ Sauce: A simple 3-ingredient sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and perfect for pork.
Ingredients for BBQ Traeger Smoked Thin Pork Chops
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Thin-cut boneless pork chops, about ¼ inch thick.
- Olive oil or avocado oil.
- Pork Rub: This rub is made with brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, dry mustard powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- BBQ Sauce: Made with ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar.
How to Make Traeger Smoked Thin Pork Chops
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Step 1
Prepare the pork chops. Preheat your Traeger grill to 375°F. Dry the pork chops with paper towels then brush both sides with olive oil.
Step 2
Season the Pork Chops: To make the homemade pork rub, combine brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, dry mustard powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasoning evenly on both sides.
Step 3
Smoke the Pork Chops: Place the seasoned pork chops directly on the grill grates. Smoke the pork for 10 minutes on each side.
Step 4
Sauce the Pork Chops: Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Brush the pork chops with the sauce, cook for 3 minutes, flip, brush with more sauce, and cook for 3 more minutes. Cook until the chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Step 5
Serve: Remove the pork chops from the pellet grill, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Spice Level: Adjust the chili powder for more or less heat; add red pepper flakes for extra heat or add hot sauce to the BBQ sauce.
- Marinade Option: For added flavor, marinate the pork chops in your favorite marinade before seasoning with the rub.
- Wood Choice: Use fruitwoods like apple or cherry for a sweeter smoke flavor, or hickory or mesquite for a stronger, more robust flavor.
- Thickness Matters: Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your pork chops. Thinner chops will cook faster, so keep an eye on the internal temperature.
Serving Suggestions
- Side Dishes: Pair with Traeger corn on the cob, easy Miracle Whip coleslaw, or a fresh Greek salad.
- Main Course: Serve with twice-baked mashed potatoes, smoked corn on the cob in foil, or a hearty bacon ranch pasta salad.
Storing and Reheating
- To store: Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat: Warm the chops in the oven at 300°F until heated through, or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Top Tips
- Don’t overcook the pork: Once you reach an internal temperature of 145°F remove the pork chops from the grill.
- Use a meat thermometer to get perfectly cooked pork chops without guessing. (I LOVE the Thermapen ONE)-(paid link).
- You can use any pellet grill to make these pork chops, it doesn't have to be a Traeger grill.
Traeger Smoked Thin Pork Chops FAQs
Yes, but increase the cooking time as bone-in chops may take longer to cook.
Absolutely! Store it in the fridge for up to a week.
You can experiment with other spices like cumin, cayenne pepper, or ground ginger.
Did you make this recipe? If you did, can you do me a big favor and leave a rating and review letting me know how you liked it? This helps my website grow so I can continue to publish free recipes. Thank you! 😊
Recipe
Traeger Smoked Thin Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 6 thin-cut pork chops about ¼-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Homemade Pork Rub:
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
3-Ingredient BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat your Traeger grill to 375℉.
- Dry the pork chops with a paper towel, then brush both sides with olive oil.
- Combine the ingredients for the pork rub in a small bowl and sprinkle generously on both sides of the pork chops, including the sides.
- Place the seasoned pork chops directly on the grill grates, and smoke for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- While the pork chops are cooking, make the BBQ sauce by whisking ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl until smooth.
- Flip the pork chops and brush the top side with the BBQ sauce. Cook for another 3 minutes, then flip again and brush the other side with BBQ sauce. Continue smoking for another 3 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145℉ with a meat thermometer.
- Remove the pork chops from the grill, let them rest for a few minutes, and serve with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
Video
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Recipe Notes:
- Don’t overcook the pork: Once you reach an internal temperature of 145°F remove the pork chops from the grill.
- Use a meat thermometer to get perfectly cooked pork chops without guessing.
- You can use any pellet grill to make these pork chops, it doesn't have to be a Traeger grill.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
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