Smoked Brown Sugar Brined Pork Chops Recipes

BASIC PORK BRINE

Steps:

• Mix water, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl until sugar is dissolved. Stir in garlic and ginger.

SMOKED BROWN SUGAR-BRINED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In 2-gallon-size heavy-duty resealable plastic food-storage bag, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, the salt, bay leaves, garlic, peppercorns and 4 cups water. Seal bag and squeeze to mix until sugar and salt have dissolved. Place pork chops in bag of brine; seal bag. Refrigerate at least 3 hours but no longer than 8 hours.
• Cover wood chunks with water; soak at least 30 minutes.
• Drain wood chunks. Prepare and heat smoker using wood chunks and adding water to water pan following manufacturer's directions.
• Meanwhile, remove pork chops from brine; discard brine. Blot pork chops dry with paper towels. In small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons brown sugar, the garlic powder, black pepper and red pepper. Rub each side of pork chops with slightly less than 1 teaspoon brown sugar mixture.
• Arrange pork chops 1 inch apart on top and bottom smoker racks. Cover and smoke about 1 hour 30 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center of pork reads 160°F (pork will remain pink when done). If smoking stops, add additional wood chunks through side door of smoker.

ROSEMARY BROWN SUGAR PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees.
• Combine the brown sugar, salt, rosemary, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the pork chops, rubbing it in. Let the chops sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance.
• Heat a heavy oven-proof skillet (cast iron is perfect) over medium-high heat until a drop of water sizzles instantly. Add the oil and the pork chops. Sear until nicely browned on one side, 5 minutes or so. Turn the pork chops over and transfer the skillet to the oven.
• Roast until the meat is cooked through and feels firm to the touch (140 - 145 degrees on a meat thermometer), 8 - 10 minutes. Let the pork chops rest 5 minutes before serving.

PERFECT SMOKED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Start your work at least 8 hours before you want to eat.
• Brine the meat. In a bowl or pot large enough to hold chops and 1 gallon of water, combine brine ingredients. Start with 2 cups of hot water to dissolve salt and sugar. After salt & sugar are completely dissolved, add more cold water and some ice to bring volume to 1 gallon. Make sure the brine solution is cold and add chops -- they should be completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.
• Smoke the chops. Smoking methods can vary. I use a barrel-smoker with an external firebox. Other methods will work, but be sure your temperature stays in the range of 175-200 F and never expose the chops to direct heat . When fire/smoke is ready, remove pork from brine and pat dry with paper towel. Place in smoker. Use hickory, mesquite or apple wood (or combinations), smoke for 1 hour. At this point, the chops can be cooked or reserved in refrigerator for several hours.
• Cook the chops. Just before cooking, apply about 1 tablespoon of the rub to both sides. Grill on direct heat. This will take about 30 minutes. Be prepared to move the chops to indirect heat for a while of they are getting too brown prior to being done. Cook to an internal temperature of 140°F Remove from grill and rest 5 minutes before serving. Meat will be pink and very juicy -- don't worry about the pink! As long as you achieve a temperature of 140 in the thickest part of the chop, it's safe to eat (the trichinosis bug dies at 137 F). If you prefer a more well-done chop, cook to 150 before removing from heat.
• But, in my opinion, at that temperature, you've just wasted a day's work.