Instant Pot BBQ Pork Chops Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my pork chops tough in Instant Pot? ›

Why are my Instant Pot pork chops tough? It's very important not to overcook your meat, as it can become tough.

As mentioned previously, the biggest culprit behind dried out pork is overcooking. According to Ray Lampe (aka Dr. BBQ), “cook your chops just as you would a steak -- 145 for medium rare and 160 for medium and always with a 3 minute rest [to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat].

Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels, season both sides with salt, pepper and a spice rub if you'd like, then brush them with oil. Sear the chops on the hot side of the grill and let them cook until they easily release without sticking, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side 4 minutes more.

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.

A quick turn in a hot pan followed by a little time in the oven is another great way to cook pork chops. You build color and flavor in the skillet, then hand the cooking over to the oven, which gives you time to prep the rest of the meal.

Place a Bowl of Water in Your Smoker

The moisture generated is one of the good ways to keep your chosen cut of meat moist. You will also need to keep refilling the bowl as your meat cooks. We also recommend keeping a close eye on the bowl to note the water levels.

Grilling 1-inch thick pork chops generally takes about 4 to 5 minutes per side, assuming the grill is preheated to medium-high heat (around 400°F or 204°C). Remember to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare to 160°F (71°C) for medium doneness.

Pre-soak in brine

Soaking your pork chops before you cook them is a wonderful way to keep them juicy. As Mashed explains, a simple brine is nothing more than salt water, but you can add herbs and other seasonings to create a solution that not only tenderizes but also adds excellent flavor to your meat.

Acids help tenderize the pork chops by breaking down the protein in the meat. Here are some examples of ingredients that can act as tenderizers: Soy sauce: Acts as a tenderizing brine and adds significant flavor. Apple cider vinegar: Another acidic ingredient that's also amazingly healthy (I love cooking with it).

How do you get BBQ sauce to stick to pork chops? ›

You want to cook your meat until it is almost completely cooked, brush on a coating of barbecue sauce, and then grill, roast or broil the meat until the sauce has become lightly caramelized and glazes the meat.

For 1-inch thick boneless pork chops, cook for 8-12 minutes over direct heat turning every 3-4 minutes or until well grill marked with the lid closed. Add another 5 minutes resting time for the juices to set in the meat.

Is it ok if my pork is slightly pink? The short answer to this common question is yes! Due to the ingredients and natural preservatives found in many pork products, it's entirely possible that your meat may still be slightly pink even when it's fully cooked. In fact, pork can even be enjoyed medium-rare.

Overcooking can cause the meat to become dry, tough, and difficult to shred. Similarly, if you don't cook the pork long enough, it may be undercooked and tough. It's also important to avoid using a quick release or pressure, as this can cause the pork to seize and toughen.

Unfortunately, once you overcook a piece of meat in the pressure cooker, there's no going back. You'll be left with a pile of dry, crunchy, tasteless fibers and no amount of additional pressure cooking is going to put that moisture back into the meat. Earlier, I explained how ingredient size affects the cooking time.

Slicing and Heating: One of the easiest ways is to slice the pork thinly and then reheat it slowly on a low setting, ideally in some kind of sauce or broth. This introduces some extra moisture and can help to tenderize the meat.

As a general guide, pork loin or tenderloin can be cooked in about 20-30 minutes on high pressure, while larger cuts like pork shoulder or ribs may need 45 minutes to an hour.