Grilled Pork Chops and Pineapple Salsa

A stress-free grilled boneless pork chop recipe perfect for summer. The pork chop gets a tasty marinade and the grilled pineapple salsa amps up the flavor!

I can't believe the summer holidays are here. We'll be celebrating the long weekend with family at home. This is a perfect quick and easy recipe for it — grilled pork chops and pineapple salsa.

This recipe has just a few simple steps, and the actual cooking time is only about 15 minutes. More time for hanging out on the deck!

The game plan for this recipe is stress-free. Start with the quick marinade for the pork chops. Then go sit on the deck with a frosty drink.

When it's time to grill, put the pineapple on first.  And make the pineapple salsa while the pork chops finish cooking. For juicy pork chops, follow these guidelines on cooking pork to 145 degrees. Easy and delicious — perfect for a holiday weekend.

This post may include affiliate links. For more info, see my disclosure here.

Ingredients Needed

• Fresh lime juice - this acidity is needed for the marinade and to help tenderize the meat.
• Olive oil - for the marinade.
• Honey - a healthier alternative to brown sugar because it adds the needed sweetness to the marinade as well as helps with caramelization when grilling.
• Chipotle chili flakes - adds a little heat without being overpowering.
• Sea salt and pepper - seasonings.
• Boneless pork chops - opt for organic or heritage breed pork. I like the boneless, but you could also use bone-in.
• Grilled Pineapple Salsa - topping for the pork chops. Find the recipe here.

How To Make Pineapple Pork Chops

1. Marinate the pork chops. Add the pork chops to a baking dish. Make the marinade by combining lime juice, olive oil, honey, chipotle flakes, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour it over the pork chops and turn the pork chops to coat completely. Set aside to marinate for at least 1 hour. You can also marinate overnight, covered, in the fridge.
2. Make the pineapple salsa. Use my easy recipe for this luscious salsa. Go ahead and preheat your grill, grill the pineapple and assemble the salsa.
3. Grill the pork chops. Over medium-high heat, grill pork chops, 3-5 minutes per side, until their internal temperature reaches 145° F.
4. Let the chops rest. Once you pull the pork chops off of the heat, they will continue to cook. Letting them rest before serving also helps them redistribute their juices. Give them 3 minutes or so to sit before you plate them up and serve with the Grilled Pineapple Salsa.

​​Can I Make These Pork Chops In A Skillet?

Absolutely! I suggest using a cast iron skillet. Preheat it over medium-high heat on your burner. Spritz it lightly with avocado oil cooking spray to ensure the pork chops don't stick.

Once the skillet is hot, add the marinated pork chops and sear on each side for 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cut.

Make sure you use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature which should reach 145° F for safe consumption. Once reached, remove the pork chops from the skillet and let them rest on a plate for at least 3 minutes before serving.

Can I Cook Boneless Pork Chops In The Oven?

Yes, you can. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the marinated pork chops in a baking dish that you've coated with nonstick cooking spray.

The thickness of the pork chops will determine how long to bake them. For each half inch, bake for 7 minutes. A one-inch pork chop will need 14 minutes in the oven.

To be safe, check that the internal temperature has reached 145° F before removing from the oven. Let the chops rest for several minutes before serving.

What Type Pork Chops Should I Use?

I prefer boneless pork chops, but you can certainly use bone-in. If using bone-in, they tend to take just a little longer to cook, so add a minute or two of grilling time, per side, depending on the thickness.

Whichever cut you prefer, try for chops that are at least ½ inch thick or thicker. If they're super thin, they will cook too quickly and be tough. The thicker cuts, around 1 inch, are actually perfect for grilling as they sear on the outside and cook through to the inside while still leaving a juicy and tender center.

How To Make The Pineapple Salsa

My easy recipe is here. It's a simple salsa that starts with grilled pineapple to help it caramelize to a smoky sweetness. You'll dice it after it's been grilled and combine it with finely diced onion and jalapeno pepper. Toss it with fresh lime juice and add in freshly chopped cilantro. It's the perfect explosion of sweet, spicy and herbs that makes it the perfect accompaniment to grilled pork chops and a tasty side-kick to pair with cauliflower rice.

Marinade Variations

Kick up the flavor of the existing marinade recipe by adding any or all of the following:

• Red pepper flakes: add a spicy kick with red pepper instead of chipotle flakes.
• Fresh ginger: either chop it finely or grate it to give the marinade a spicy and zippy flavor.
• Coconut aminos: add a splash of coconut aminos for the flavor of soy sauce without soy or gluten
• Fresh garlic: finely chopped garlic will add another depth of spicy flavor.
• Pineapple juice: If you're looking for a more pronounced pineapple flavor, try this easy pineapple juice marinade. In a large glass bowl, add 1 cup of pineapple juice, 2 cloves of crushed garlic, 2 tablespoons of honey, ½ cup coconut aminos, 1 teaspoon chipotle chili flakes and a dash of sea salt and pepper. Stir to combine and add the pork chops, making sure they're all coated. Cover and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 2 hours so the flavors can penetrate. Follow the directions for grilling as indicated in the recipe card.

Other Ways To Use Pineapple With Grilled Pork Chops

• Pineapple Slices: If you want a quick way to add pineapple and don't have time to make the salsa, it's always quick, convenient and delicious to grill fresh or canned pineapple slices. Just add them to grill while you're grilling the pork chops and serve them for a simple and sweet topping.
• Pineapple Chunks: You can also sauté pineapple chunks, fresh or canned, on the stove top in a skillet. They'll caramelize nicely with just a drizzle of honey.
• Pineapple BBQ Sauce: If you're looking for a BBQ sauce that you can top the pork chops with, use my recipe found here for inspiration and just swap out the peaches for pineapple. It's a flavorful and spicy BBQ pineapple sauce that you can make in 10 minutes. You'll simmer pineapple, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, chipotle pepper flakes with a little shallot for a delectable homemade sauce made right on your stovetop. The ingredients are simple but much more flavorful than a store-bought bottle of BBQ sauce.

What To Serve With Pineapple Pork Chops

Cauliflower Rice

Side Salad With Avocado

Roasted Broccoli

Spicy Coleslaw

How To Store And Reheat

Leftover pork chops should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They'll keep for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven in a baking dish with a tablespoon of water per pork chop. Cover with foil and heat for 30 minutes, allowing the water to steam/heat the pork chops without drying them out. The pineapple salsa will keep, tightly covered for up to 2 days in the fridge.

Try these marinated pork chops grilled to tender and juicy perfection and topped with pineapple salsa for a delicious and easy meal. These easy pineapple pork chops will be your new weeknight favorite!

More easy grilled recipes

• Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken with Avocado Mango Salsa
• Easy Grilled Romaine Salad With Bacon And Ranch Dressing
• Easy Italian Dressing Grilled Chicken
• Roasted Garlic on the Grill
• Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri Sauce