Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Pork Chops with Garlic Ginger Glaze

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this incredibly flavorful and surprisingly simple recipe for Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Pork Chops. Imagine succulent, tender pork, kissed by smoky grill marks, all coated in a luscious, salty-sweet garlic ginger glaze. This family-friendly meal brings vibrant, tropical flavors right to your plate, making it an instant favorite for busy evenings or a relaxed weekend cookout. Served alongside classic sides like creamy peanut noodles or a refreshing corn salad, it’s a taste of paradise you won’t want to miss.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Grilled Pork Chop Recipe

There’s a special kind of magic that happens when the grill fires up, especially during the warmer months. This recipe is designed to keep the heat out of your kitchen and infuse your meals with an irresistible smoky aroma and incredible flavor. Our Hawaiian pork chops are not only an exciting flavor twist but also an incredibly inexpensive meal that the entire family will eagerly devour. The delightful combination of sticky, salty, sweet, and smoky notes truly transforms ordinary pork chops into mouthwatering, fork-tender bites.

This dish captures the essence of summertime perfection. Whether you’re looking for a quick and satisfying meal on a busy Tuesday or planning a casual dinner with a hungry crowd of friends, these grilled pork chops are guaranteed to impress. Pair them with a bowl of Simple Asian Soy-Peanut Noodles for a creamy, nutty contrast, and a scoop of vibrant Texas Caviar for a fresh, zesty kick. The balanced flavors and textures create a harmonious meal that feels both comforting and exotic.

The Secret to Succulent Pork: A Flavor-Packed Marinade

The foundation of this incredible dish lies in its simple yet profoundly flavorful marinade. This versatile mixture does double duty: it tenderizes the pork and infuses it with a depth of flavor that’s both sweet and savory. Our marinade combines classic Asian-inspired ingredients with a touch of tropical flair, setting the stage for an unforgettable meal.

Crafting the Perfect Marinade

To begin, you’ll whisk together minced garlic, low-sodium soy sauce for umami and saltiness, rich brown sugar for sweetness and caramelization, a touch of ketchup for tang and depth, fragrant sesame oil, a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for a gentle warmth, ground ginger for its aromatic spice, and the star ingredient – reserved pineapple juice from the canned slices. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a balanced and irresistible flavor profile.

Once your marinade is prepared, add your boneless pork chops to a medium bowl and pour the flavorful liquid over them. For optimal results, allow the pork to marinate for at least 20 minutes to absorb those wonderful flavors and begin the tenderizing process. If time allows, you can marinate the chops for up to one day in the refrigerator, intensifying the taste and ensuring maximum juiciness. Even a quick 20-minute soak yields incredibly tender and flavorful pork, as I discovered during my latest preparation! The key is not to discard this precious marinade; it’s essential for creating the luscious finishing sauce.

Grilling to Perfection: Pork Chops and Caramelized Pineapple

Grilling is the heart of this recipe, imparting a beautiful char and smoky essence to both the pork and pineapple. The high heat of the grill locks in juices and develops complex flavors, making every bite a delight.

Achieving the Ideal Char

Preheat your indoor or outdoor grill to a medium-high temperature. Ensure the grates are clean and lightly coated with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully remove the pork chops from the marinade, reserving the liquid for the sauce. Arrange the marinated pork and the pineapple rings directly onto the hot grill grates. Cook for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side, adjusting the time based on the thickness of your pork chops. Look for a beautiful char and golden-brown marks, which indicate optimal flavor development and a perfectly cooked exterior. Once cooked through, remove the pork and pineapple from the grill and let the pork rest for a few minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and moist chop.

The Magic of Grilled Pineapple

Grilling the pineapple slices transforms them, enhancing their natural sweetness and adding a delightful smoky caramelization. The warmth softens the fruit and concentrates its tropical flavor, making it the perfect bright accompaniment to the savory pork.

Transforming Marinade into a Delectable Glaze

While your pork chops are grilling, the reserved marinade is transformed into an irresistible sticky sauce. This step is crucial for both safety and flavor, turning a simple marinade into a rich, glossy glaze that beautifully complements the grilled pork.

From Marinade to Luscious Sauce

Before heating, whisk cornstarch into the reserved marinade. Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, giving the sauce its desirable consistency. Strain the mixture into a saucepan to remove any lingering solids, then set it over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a rolling boil, ensuring that any raw meat juices from the marinade are safely cooked out. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer gently. Continue to stir occasionally for about 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to a beautiful, pourable consistency. It will become a wonderfully sticky and glossy glaze, perfect for drizzling over your cooked pork and pineapple.

Once everything is ready, artfully arrange the grilled pork chops and pineapple slices on your serving platter. Drizzle generously with the warm, sticky Hawaiian glaze, ensuring every piece is coated in its deliciousness. For a final flourish, sprinkle freshly chopped green onions over the top. The vibrant green not only adds a burst of fresh flavor but also a beautiful pop of color. Now, you’re ready to serve and enjoy this incredible meal!

Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 3-4 (approx. 1 lb. total) boneless pork chops
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. ketchup
• 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 can (approx. 20 oz) pineapple slices (reserve 1/2 cup juice for marinade)
• 2 Tbsp. corn starch
• 4 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Place pork chops in a medium bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, sesame oil, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), ground ginger, and the reserved 1/2 cup of pineapple juice.
3. Pour the marinade over the pork chops, ensuring they are well coated. Let them marinate for at least 20 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day for deeper flavor.
4. Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Lightly coat the grill grates with nonstick cooking spray.
5. Remove the pork chops from the bowl, reserving all the marinade in the bowl for making the sauce. Arrange the pork chops and pineapple rings on the hot grill grates.
6. Grill the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they have nice grill marks and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Grill pineapple slices until lightly caramelized, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from grill and let the pork rest for a few minutes.
7. While the pork is resting, whisk the cornstarch into the reserved marinade until smooth. Strain the mixture into a small saucepan.
8. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to a glossy glaze.
9. Drizzle the thickened sauce generously over the grilled pork chops and pineapple slices. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

Recipe adapted from The Life Jolie.

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding sliced bell peppers or red onion to the grill alongside the pork and pineapple.

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