I grew up eating pork chops weekly in my midwestern household. My mom would often marinate them in the morning and then grill or bake them for dinner when we got home from school!
This 5-ingredient pork chop marinade will infuse your pork chops with sweet, salty, and garlicky goodness.
This pork chop marinade is sweet from brown sugar, salty from soy sauce, and savory from Worcestershire sauce. It’s all pulled together with a little citrus and garlic to make this one delicious pork chop marinade.
I love how this pork chop marinade not only gives the chops flavor but also makes them easy to eat. This marinade is so good! I’ve used it on pork chops, pork tenderloin, and pork loin, among other cuts of pork.
Worcestershire sauce is a versatile condiment known for its tangy, umami flavor. With its unique blend of ingredients like vinegar, molasses, anchovies, and spices, Worcestershire sauce can add depth and savoriness to many dishes. But can it also be used to marinate juicy, flavorful pork chops? Let’s find out.
An Overview of Pork Chop Marinades
Marinades are liquid mixtures used to infuse flavor and tenderness into meats before cooking. When choosing a marinade for pork chops ingredients like soy sauce olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs work well to complement the meat’s mild flavor. An acid like vinegar or citrus helps break down muscle fibers, resulting in more tender pork. Sugars or sweeteners also aid browning and caramelization when the chops are seared or grilled.
Marinating times can range from 30 minutes up to overnight depending on the marinade used and your taste preferences. Overmarinating with highly acidic ingredients can make the pork mushy, so moderation is key. Overall marinades boost taste and moisture – important factors for avoiding dry bland pork chops!
Why Worcestershire Sauce is an Excellent Marinade Choice
Worcestershire sauce checks off all the boxes for an incredible pork chop marinade. Here’s why it works so well:
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Tangy, savory flavor – The blend of vinegars, molasses, and umami from anchovies and tamarind gives Worcestershire sauce a bold, complex flavor that enhances pork’s mild taste.
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Tenderizing ability – With vinegar as one of the main ingredients, Worcestershire can help tenderize pork chops. The acid breaks down tough muscle fibers.
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Browning potential – The sugars and molasses in the sauce promote lovely browning and caramelization for flavorful sear marks when cooked.
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Easy to use – Worcestershire sauce can be used solo as a fast marinade or combined with other ingredients like garlic, mustard, or brown sugar for a more complete marinade.
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Pantry staple – Chances are you already have a bottle of Worcestershire sauce on hand, making this an convenient marinade option with no extra shopping required.
Tips for Marinating Pork Chops in Worcestershire
Marinating pork chops in Worcestershire sauce is simple. Just keep these tips in mind:
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Use boneless or bone-in – Worcestershire works with boneless pork chops or chops with the bone in. Bone-in may have more flavor.
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Go for 1 inch thick – Opt for chops that are at least 1 inch thick to allow the marinade to penetrate and prevent overcooking.
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Marinate for 30 mins to overnight – The longer the chops marinate, the more flavor they’ll have. Go for at least 30 minutes up to overnight.
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Add extras if desired – Worcestershire alone makes a great marinade, but you can also add garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, pepper, oregano or other seasonings.
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Don’t reuse marinade – For food safety, discard leftover marinade instead of reusing. It contains raw pork juices.
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Pat chops dry – Lightly pat pork chops dry before cooking for best sear.
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Cook to 145°F – Grill, bake, or pan sear chops to an internal temperature of 145°F for juicy, safe results.
Delicious Worcestershire Pork Chop Recipes
While Worcestershire sauce alone can make a simple, tasty marinade, complementing it with a few extra ingredients takes the flavor to the next level. Here are two must-try recipes:
Easy Worcestershire Baked Chops
- 1⁄4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 6 pork chops
Whisk Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic powder and brown sugar in a baking dish. Add pork chops and turn to coat. Marinate 30 mins to 1 hour, flipping halfway. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
Sweet & Savory Grilled Pork Chops
- 1⁄2 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 6 thick-cut pork chops
Whisk together all ingredients except pork. Place chops in a ziplock bag and pour over marinade. Refrigerate 1-2 hours, flipping occasionally. Grill chops over medium heat until cooked through, basting with extra marinade.
The Verdict: Worcestershire Sauce is a Fantastic Marinade
So can you marinate pork chops in Worcestershire sauce? The answer is a resounding yes! With its savory umami flavor, tenderizing ability, and easy use, Worcestershire sauce makes an excellent marinade that takes pork chops to new taste heights. Simply marinate bone-in or boneless chops for 30 minutes up to overnight, then cook through until perfectly juicy and delicious. Worcestershire helps pork chops develop rich flavor and browning with little effort. Give this versatile sauce a try in your next pork marinade for rave-worthy results!
What to Store Marinated Pork Chops In
When marinating any kind of meat, we typically use 2 different vessels:
- casserole dish: If you use a casserole dish, you should flip the pork chops a few times to make sure the sauce covers everything. You can also use any deep pan you have handy.
- Gallon-sized plastic bag: I like to use a plastic bag because it coats more of the meat.
What is in this Juicy Pork Chop Marinade?
This really is the best pork chop marinade. It’s actually also our favorite grilled pork chop marinade because the ends results are just mouthwatering!.
- Salt: You’ll notice that salt isn’t on the list of ingredients. That’s because most of it comes from soy sauce. You can use tamari instead if you’d like.
- Brown sugar: This sweet and salty marinade is sweet because of the brown sugar. Any kind works.
- Worcestershire sauce: I like using Worcestershire sauce in marinades because it tastes good and is sour.
- Garlic: the garlic in this really pulls the marinade together.
- Adding a little lemon is like adding a cherry on top.
What is the secret ingredient to this pork chop marinade? Worcestershire sauce is definitely the secret ingredient. It adds a bit of tang, savoriness, and so much flavor.
Not sure where all the different cuts of pork come from on the pig? We made it easy. Check out more details on everything pork in our favorite pork recipes round up!.
Feel free to use honey, extra-virgin olive oil, black pepper, or balsamic vinegar if you don’t have anything else on hand. All would add delicious flavors.
Any kind of fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or basil would be a delicious addition too!
HOW TO COOK PORKCHOP with WORCESTERSHIRE sauce
FAQ
What should I soak my pork chops in?
What is the secret to juicy pork chops?
What is good to tenderize pork chops?
Is Worcestershire sauce good for tenderizing meat?
How to make pork chops with Worcestershire sauce?
Place chopped onion, garlic and oil in a blender. Blend well, pour in a bowl/jug and add the Worcestershire sauce, 7 teaspoons of salt, the black pepper, vinegar, oregano, thyme, bay leave and orange juice. Remove the excess fat of the pork.
What is the healthier substitute of worcestershire sauce?
The healthier substitutes of Worcestershire sauce are: 1. Soy sauce: Soy sauce doesn’t have quite the same tartness or spice as the original. This substitute works for all recipes and has similar consistency and dissolves well. 2. Tamarind paste+ soy sauce+ white vinegar: This combination of ingredients are close to Worcestershire sauce. 3. Fish sauce: Fish sauce is a bit of a funky condiment that is made from fermented anchovies. 4. A1 steak sauce: It is a little thicker than Worcestershire sauce but will taste very similar. It is made with ingredients like tomato paste, raisin paste, vinegar, corn syrup, garlic, onions and other flavorings.
How do you marinate a Pork Chop?
Make this simple pork chop marinade recipe with olive oil, garlic, dark brown sugar, lemon juice, spicy brown mustard, dried thyme, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, white wine vinegar, mesquite-flavored seasoning, dried parsley flakes, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Tip: Increase the amount of marinade if cooking a larger portion.
How do you marinate pork chops in a crock pot?
Whisk olive oil, garlic, brown sugar, lemon juice, mustard, thyme, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mesquite seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; pour into a large resealable plastic bag. Add pork chops, coat with marinade, squeeze out excess air and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator, 6 to 8 hours.