Teriyaki Pork Chops

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Quick, simple, and flavorful teriyaki pork chops get dinner ready in a flash. Prep the marinade ahead of time to make it even easier.

When I need dinner on the table fast, I turn to easy but flavorful recipes like lemon chicken or pre-made bison meatballs. I do love cooking, but I don’t always want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen when I’ve got hungry kids hovering.

Pork chops are another great option, especially if you opt for boneless pork chops.

I love to buy chops from our local farm vendors at the market. They cook up so wonderfully juicy!

If you think pork chops are boring, one great way to infuse flavor is to use a marinade. This homemade teriyaki marinade is a wonderful option for chops, chicken, or steak.

Plus, the pork chops cook up quickly, so dinner will be on the table before you know it. Winner winner, pork dinner!

Ingredients for teriyaki pork chops

You’ll need:

Boneless pork chops – Opt for thicker pork chops, not the ones sliced thinly for Milanese or schnitzel.

Don’t worry about trimming the fat from the pork chops unless it is excessively thick. Most chops are sold with an edge of fat that cooks away.

Soy sauce – You can use regular or low-sodium soy sauce.

To make this recipe gluten-free, look for tamari, which does not contain wheat like soy sauce does. (Make sure to check the label.)

Orange or pineapple juice – You’ll only need ¼ cup of juice for this recipe. I use orange juice when we have it on hand; otherwise I opt for pineapple juice, and serve the pineapple chunks or rings with the pork.

Honey – Use regular clover honey, not a strongly flavored wild honey.

Rice vinegar – Rice vinegar comes as seasoned or unseasoned; you can use either for this recipe. 

If you don’t have rice vinegar, use distilled white vinegar or cider vinegar.

Brown sugar – Both light or dark brown sugar will work here.

Garlic – Use minced, pressed, or grated garlic. Jarred garlic will work as well.

Ginger – I use jarred grated ginger most of the time as it saves a lot of time. You can also use ground ginger, reducing the amount to ¼ teaspoon.

Sesame oil – Sesame oil adds a lovely nutty flavor. The oil also helps the marinade bind to the meat.

How to make this recipe

Place the pork chops in a shallow bowl or pan. It should be big enough that the chops can be arranged in a single layer.

Mix the teriyaki sauce in a bowl or large measuring cup.

Combine soy sauce, orange juice, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil.

Whisk to dissolve the sugar and honey and mix ingredients.

Pour about half of the liquid over the pork chops. Cover and reserve the remaining marinade.

Turn the pork chops over to coat both sides, then cover with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.

Marinate the pork for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.

When you are ready to cook, prepare your pan.

I like to use a grill pan when I am cooking pork chops on the stove, but you can use any sauté or frying pan.

Heat the pan over medium and add a small amount of oil.

When the oil is hot, place the pork chops in the pan, letting excess marinade drip off first. 

Discard the used marinade.

Cook the pork chops for 4-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your chops. Use an instant-read thermometer and make sure the chops register at 145°F for doneness.

In the last minute or two of cooking, pour a small amount of the reserved sauce over the pork chops. It will sizzle a bit as it cooks.

Serve the chops with extra sauce or glaze on top.

FAQ

How do I make teriyaki pork chops in the oven?

If you have more time or prefer to use the oven, these pork chops can be baked.

Heat the oven to 400°F and place the pork chops in a roasting pan.

Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the internal temperature is 145°F. Baste the pork chops with the reserved marinade halfway through the cooking time.

Can teriyaki pork chops cooked on the grill?

To grill, prepare your grill for medium heat cooking. 

Grill 4-8 minutes per side, basting with reserved marinade as desired.

Can I reuse the pork chop marinade?

It’s important to not reuse the liquid the raw pork chops have been marinating in, to prevent food-borne illnesses. 

Divide your marinade before pouring over the pork chops. You can save the portion not used on the chops for another recipe, or to baste or finish the dish.

Serving suggestions

Serve these easy pork chops with white rice or cooked noodles.

For veggies, I like to serve sautéed green beans, roasted asparagus, or maple glazed carrots. 

Garlic mashed potatoes are also a good option if you are going the comfort food route, or you can add some sweet heat to the table with spicy glazed Brussels sprouts.

Because they are boneless, these pork chops can also be eaten as a sandwich, or sliced and added to a bowl of ramen.

Need another quick and easy dinner? Try cashew chicken and broccoli.

You’ll love how simple it is to make these teriyaki pork chops!