Smokehouse Maple Brined Pork Chops Recipes

GRILLED MAPLE-BRINED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• 1. Mix all of the brine ingredients together in a nonreactive pot and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and stir the brine to ensure that the salt, sugar, and maple syrup have dissolved. Let the brine cool, then put it in a large nonreactive container and add the pork chops. Cover and refrigerate for no more than 12 hours.
• 2. Remove the pork from the brine and pat dry (without rinsing).
• 3. Prepare a grill with hot and medium cooking areas. A grill is hot when you can't hold your hand near the grill surface for longer than 2 seconds without pulling it away; it's medium when you can't hold your hand there for longer than 4 seconds.
• 4. Season the chops with pepper (not salt - remember, the brining solution is salty) and brush with the oil. Sear the chops directly over the hottest part of the open grill for about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Then move the chops to the medium area of the grill, cover the grill, and cook to the desired doneness. Use an instant-read digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chops. A reading of 145° to 150°F will give you a pink, moist chop, 160°F is well-done. Serve immediately, accompanied by the chutney, if using.

GRILLED AND MAPLE-BRINED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• For the maple brine, in a medium pot, combine the Water (6 cup), Kosher Salt (1/4 cup), Grade B Maple Syrup (1/4 cup), Granulated Sugar (2 tablespoon), Dried Thyme (2 tablespoon), Black Peppercorns (1 tablespoon), Bay Leaf (2), and Garlic (1 head). Bring to a boil.
• Remove from the heat and let steep for 30 minutes; strain. Let cool completely before using.
• Arrange the Bone-In Pork Loin Chop (4) in a baking dish, plastic storage container, or 1-gallon plastic bag so that they fit snugly; pour the maple brine over them to cover completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours and ideally up to 48 hours.
• Remove pork chops from the brine and discard the brine. Prepare grill to medium-high heat. Rub or brush the pork chops with Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (2 tablespoon) and season with Kosher Salt (to taste) and Freshly Ground Black Pepper (to taste), being sure to season the bones as well.
• Cook on the grill, undisturbed, just long enough for the pork to pick up some color and grill marks, 4 to 5 minutes for medium doneness.
• Flip and repeat on the other flat side. Shift the pork chops to a cooler portion of the grill.
• Turn each onto its rounded, fatty edge, either propping the chops against each other to cook them all together or taking turns holding them up with tongs. Cook until the fatty edge is golden and crispy, about 3 minutes.
• Remove and let rest for 4 to 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle lightly with Grade B Maple Syrup (to taste), if desired.

COLD SMOKED MAPLE-BALSAMIC GLAZED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the wood chips from the water and spread evenly in the bottom of a roasting pan. Cover the top tightly with aluminum foil. Put in the oven until the chips get hot and begin to smoke, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven and remove the foil from the pan. Put a baking rack inside the pan and arrange the chops on top of the rack, leaving a few inches of space between each one. Quickly cover with the foil again and let sit on your kitchen counter for 10 to 15 minutes.
• While the pork chops are smoking, put the vinegar in a small pan over high heat and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the maple syrup, allspice, and salt and pepper, to taste. Let cool slightly.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the ridges with some of the canola oil. Brush the chops on both sides with some of the glaze and season with salt and pepper. Grill on both sides, brushing with more of the glaze, until golden brown and slightly charred and cooked to medium doneness, about 7 minutes per side. Remove from the grill, loosely tent and let rest for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve.

GRILLED MAPLE PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk syrup, vinegar, salt and pepper until blended. Pour 1/2 cup marinade into a shallow bowl. Add pork chops; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. Reserve remaining marinade for basting., Drain pork chops, discarding marinade. On an oiled grill, cook pork chops, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 13-17 minutes or until a thermometer reads 145°, turning occasionally and basting with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.