Name: Pork Chop Marinade
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: ½ cup olive oil; ¼ cup lemon juice; 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1 Tbsp fresh oregano, chopped; 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped; 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp pepper

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This easy Pork Chop Marinade is the BEST!

Bursting with fresh and herby flavors, it’s my go-to marinade no matter how I’m cooking my chops.

My Mediterranean-inspired marinade uses fresh herbs to pack my pork chops with so much flavor that I find myself wanting to marinate everything in it. From grilling to baking, this marinade makes every bite delicious!

Bring on the flavors with this easy Pork Chop Marinade, brimming with bright and fresh Mediterranean inspired flavors!

If you really want to add flavor to your meat, it’s hard to beat a good marinade.

From my sweet and umami Teriyaki Marinade, to the garlicky Mojo Marinade, to our bold and spicy Jerk Marinade, I have so many flavors to choose from.

This pork chop marinade is bright and summery, with plenty of herbs and a squeeze of lemon for freshness.

Ingredients Needed

Olive oil – To help keep the meat moist.
Lemons – For some tang, as well as to tenderize the meat.
Garlic – Plenty of it.
Fresh herbs – Oregano, parsley, thyme and rosemary. If lacking any fresh herbs, substitute 1 teaspoon of dried for every 1 tablespoon of fresh.
Salt – The most important ingredient.
Pepper – Salt’s longtime companion.

Easy Pork Chop Marinade Recipe

To make this marinade, it’s a simple matter of chopping the fresh herbs and garlic, then whisking everything together. Easy, huh?

How to Marinate Pork Chops

Marinating meat adds great flavor, as well as helps tenderize the meat.

One method I use is to place the meat in a Ziploc bag and pour in the marinade. I squeeze out as much air as possible, seal the bag, and lay it flat on a plate. I can also marinate the meat in a shallow dish covered in cling wrap.

I recommend marinating for at least one hour. Typically, I marinate the meat in the morning and cook it in the evening, or I marinate it overnight.

If I marinate for more than one hour, I keep the pork chops in the refrigerator. I remove them from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature.

Cooking Pork Chops

After your pork chops have absorbed the rich, herby flavors of the marinade, it’s time to cook them to perfection.

Whichever method you choose, use the following directions and cook till the internal temperature measures 135ºF with an instant read thermometer (the temperature will continue to rise while they rest).

Cast Iron Skillet: I have a whole post dedicated to Skillet Pork Chops. I heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, then add the pork chops and flip them about every minute until they are fully cooked.
Grill: First, I heat the grill over medium-high heat. Then, I grill the pork chops for 5 minutes, flip, then cook until done.
Oven: To bake them, I start by preheating the oven to 400ºF. I heat a cast iron skillet on the stove top on medium-high heat, then once hot, I sear the pork chops for 2 minutes. I flip the chops, then transfer them to the oven, and bake for 8-10 minutes. For more details, check out my Baked Pork Chops recipe.

Remember, cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the chops, as well as if they are boneless or bone-in.

After cooking, I transfer the pork chops to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

The flavor imparted by the marinade is Mediterranean inspired, but not overpowering enough that these pork chops can’t go with just about anything.

For some veggie sides, think roasted Asparagus or Broccoli, Grilled Zucchini, Creamed Spinach, Green Beans Almondine, or Southern Squash Casserole.

Some of my favorite starchy options are Cheese Grits, Mashed Potatoes, Steak Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Saffron Rice or Dirty Rice.

If you want a great salad pairing, try Caesar, Greek Salad, Wedge Salad, Tabbouleh or Balela Salad.

Once you try my easy Pork Chop Marinade, you’ll never go with that bottled stuff again. Fresh is always best!