Traeger Kitchen
Smoked & Brined Bone-In Pork Chops
Prep Time
15
Minutes
Cook Time
2
Hours
Serves
6 - 8
People
Effort
What's this?
Add juicy, wood-fired pork chops to your next smoke session. Bone-in pork chops are put in a sweet and savory brine bath before getting smoked low and slow over mesquite. Finish them off on high heat for one memorable meal.
Ingredients
4 Cup apple juice
1 Cup brown sugar
2 bay leaves
1 Tablespoon black peppercorn
4 Clove garlic
4 Sprig thyme
1 lemon zest
1 orange zest
1 Cup salt
4 Cup ice water
1 Whole (8 bone) pork loin roast, trimmed and frenched
Steps
1
In a medium saucepan combine the apple juice, brown sugar, salt, bay leaves, black peppercorns, garlic cloves, thyme, lemon and orange zest and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until salt and sugar have dissolved.2
Pour mixture over ice water and stir. Let sit at room temperature until cool. Pour cooled brine over pork chops, weigh them down with a stack of plates and place in the refrigerator to brine overnight.3
Remove the pork chops from the brine, rinse, and pat dry.4
When ready to cook, start the Traeger according to grill instructions. Set the temperature to 225 degrees F and preheat, lid closed, for 10 - 15 minutes.5
Place the pork chops directly on the grill grate and cook for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until the internal temperature registers 130 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer when inserted into the thickest part of the pork chop.6
Remove chops from the grill and increase the temperature to 450 degrees F (set to 500 degrees F if using a WiFIRE-enabled grill) and preheat, lid closed for 10 minutes.7
Return the chops to the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes more (flipping once halfway through) or until the internal temperature registers 145 degrees F in the thickest part.8
Remove from grill and let rest ten minutes before serving. Enjoy!