Brined, perfectly seasoned, and smoked to perfection. My Traeger Pro 780 smoked these Smoked Traeger Pork Chops, which were juicy, meaty, and full of flavor! Let’s light up your smoker and make the best pork chops you’ve ever had!
I cooked a few different kinds of pork chops and used two different kinds of seasoning to make this recipe. All chops were brined before seasoning for 8 hours.
The #1 thing I love about pork is how inexpensive it is to purchase. You can buy pork at your local grocery store or butcher. Choose your favorite thick-cut pork chops to use for this pork recipe.
I prefer bone-in pork chops over boneless pork chops. I think the bone gives it extra flavor. But choose what you like best!.
I bought a variety pack of pork which had boneless, loin, and rib chops. It’s easy to save money and get a lot of pork chops when you shop at big box stores like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Another great inexpensive pork recipe is my smoked pork butt recipe. Its great for feeding a lot of people for a small amount of $.
Cooking thin pork chops on a Traeger wood pellet grill is easy and delivers incredibly moist, flavorful results every time This hands-on guide covers everything you need to know to make mouthwatering grilled pork chops on your Traeger, from choosing the right chops to nailing the prep, seasoning and grilling techniques.
Selecting the Best Thin Pork Chops
The first step to perfect pork chops is choosing high-quality chops at the store. When buying chops for the Traeger keep these tips in mind
-
Thickness – Opt for chops that are 1⁄2 to 1 inch thick Thinner chops can dry out and overcook quickly on a hot grill Bones can help prevent overcooking.
-
Bone-in or Boneless – Bone-in chops have more flavor but boneless are easier to eat. Either works well.
-
Marbling – Look for good marbling, which means more juiciness and pork flavor. Avoid super lean, dry looking chops.
-
Size – For Traeger grilling, smaller 6-8 oz chops cook the most evenly. Larger chops may require indirect heat.
Properly Seasoning and Preparing the Chops
Take the time to properly season and prep the pork chops before grilling. This builds flavor and helps prevent drying out.
-
Pat Dry – Blot chops with paper towels before seasoning to remove excess moisture.
-
Use a Rub – For amazing flavor, coat both sides with a savory pork rub.
-
Try Brown Sugar – Brown sugar in rubs helps form a tasty crust through caramelization.
-
Get Creative – Use spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin or garlic.
-
Lightly Oil – Drizzle chops with oil so seasoning sticks.
-
Let Sit – After seasoning, let chops rest 15-30 minutes before grilling.
Setting Up the Traeger Grill
Before grilling those beautiful chops, prep your Traeger:
-
Double check the grill is fully assembled with no missing parts. Consult the manual if needed.
-
Perform the initial burn-in as directed by Traeger to prime the grill.
-
Make sure the pellet hopper is full of your preferred flavor smoking pellets, such as apple, maple or hickory.
-
Turn on the grill, set temperature to 450°F and preheat for 10-15 minutes before cooking.
-
While heating, lightly brush the grates clean to prevent sticking.
Grilling for Perfect Results
Now for the fun part – grilling! Follow these tips for pork chop grilling success:
-
Use a high temperature of 450°F for quick cooking and an ideal crust.
-
Place chops directly over the hot side for direct heat and an initial sear.
-
Let chops sear undisturbed for 4-5 minutes before flipping to develop a nice crust.
-
Flip only once and cook the second side another 4-5 minutes for even cooking.
-
Test temperature using a meat thermometer, removing at 145°F for a touch of pink.
-
Let rest 5 minutes before digging in for ultimate juiciness!
Handy Traeger Pork Chop Tips
Keep these extra pointers in mind for perfect pork chops every time:
-
If chops are lean, spritz with apple juice during grilling to prevent drying out.
-
Switch up wood pellet flavors like apple, pecan or cherry for more flavor complexity.
-
For very thick chops over 1 inch, use a two-zone indirect/direct heat method.
-
Double check doneness by thermometer in the thickest part of the chops.
-
Allow chops to rest at least 5-7 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
-
For caramelized chops, baste with barbecue sauce the last few minutes of grilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I cook pork chops on a Traeger?
For thin chops, cook at 450°F, flipping once halfway through. They’ll take 15-30 minutes to reach 145°F internal temperature.
How long do 1-inch pork chops take on a Traeger?
1-inch chops take 18-25 minutes at 450°F, flipping once halfway through cooking. Cook until internal temperature hits 145°F.
Should you wrap pork chops in foil on the Traeger?
Wrapping is optional – it traps in moisture but can soften the crust.
What wood pellet flavor is best for pork chops?
Fruit woods like apple, cherry and pecan impart a slightly sweet, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with pork.
How long do you rest pork chops after the Traeger?
Letting chops rest 5-7 minutes after grilling allows juices to redistribute for a juicier eating experience.
Do you flip pork chops on a Traeger?
Yes, flip chops once halfway through grilling to ensure even cooking and color on both sides.
Enjoy Perfectly Grilled Pork Chops
Grilling thin pork chops on your Traeger grill consistently delivers tender, mouthwatering results. Follow these tips for choosing the right chops, proper seasoning and prep, direct heat grilling, and resting. In no time, you’ll be a master of making delicious wood-fired pork chops on your Traeger!
Resting the meat & serving
As soon as they reach 145° on the inside, take them out of the smoker and let them rest on the kitchen counter for 5 to 10 minutes. This will allow the juicy to redistribute throughout the meat.
Now its time to eat your new favorite pork chops! Serve an entire pork chop to each guest. This looks a lot better than slicing it up and serving pieces. Everyone likes having their own pork chop!.
These Traeger Pork Chops turned out extremely tender and juicy. The sweetness from the seasonings were perfectly balanced by the savory flavor of the pork.
When these pork chops were done, they had a nice slightly pink center, and the fat had rendered down, giving them a great smoky flavor. The brine helped make these super tender, just like you find on a smoked pork tenderloin.
Everyone will LOVE these!
Im smoking these pork chops on my Traeger 780 pellet smoker. A Traeger wood pellet grill is an easy and great way to impart fantastic smoke flavor on the pork, and other meats for that matter, without having to babysit a firebox all day.
Dont have a Traeger grill? Thats fine, you can use what you have. But I would definitely recommend getting one. They are easy to use and I love the flavor they impart on the meat.
How to cook a traeger pork chop
First, we’re going to brine these pork chops so that when they’re done cooking, they are nice and tender. Use some great sweet spice mixes to season them just right, and cook them to perfection on the Traeger 780 smoker.
Brine is a salt water mixture that you soak the pork in for 8-12 hours before cooking to help tenderize the meat as well as make it nice and juicy when cooked. This makes a BIG difference in the texture and flavor of these pork chops. DONT SKIP THIS PROCESS!
Add all the brine ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from the stove and allow to cool to room temperature before adding the pork.
Place in the refrigerator overnight or the morning before you plan on smoking your pork chops.
Im using two different seasonings for this pork chop recipe. Meat Churchs Honey Hog BBQ and Traegers Pork & Poultry (Apple & Honey). Have a different spice mix you like? Use it!
Before you season the pork chops, take them out of the brine and rinse them under cool water to get rid of any extra salt. Place on a drying rack and pat dry with paper towels to dry.
Secondly, wipe some olive oil over the pork chops. Make sure to get both sides of the pork.
Third, generacialy season the pork chops on both sides with your favorite seasoning. Dont be shy, get them coated well. Then allow to rest at room temperature for about an hour before throwing on the smoker.