Jerk Pork Chops

If you’re a regular reader of our True Bites recipes, you may have seen our jerk chicken wings recipe, so you might be wondering why we’re doing another jerk recipe.

Fair question.

The truth is, this jerk pork chops recipe is actually an older one that I recently stole from Shirley. She used to make it when I lived at home a few years ago, and to be fair, it’s a good one.

The chicken wing recipe is more of a dry rub, whereas this one is more of a marinade. That means you can prep the pork chops the night before, leave them in the fridge, and let all those spicy, sweet, aromatic jerk flavours sink properly into the meat.

Also, you can never have too much jerk. That’s just common sense.

What Are Jerk Pork Chops?

Jerk pork chops are pork chops or pork loin steaks marinated in jerk-style seasoning, then grilled, BBQ’d or oven cooked until tender and full of flavour.

Jerk seasoning usually includes allspice, chilli, garlic, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and savoury seasoning. It is warm, spicy, sweet, aromatic and brilliant with pork.

This version uses pork loin steaks with a homemade jerk marinade that can be made in a blender or food processor.

Why Jerk Seasoning Works with Pork

Pork works really well with bold flavours.

The sweetness from the brown sugar, warmth from the allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg, heat from the chillies, and savoury flavour from the garlic, soy sauce and thyme all work together beautifully.

The marinade also helps coat the pork properly, giving you flavour all over the chop rather than just on the surface.

Jerk Pork Chops Ingredients

• 4 pork loin steaks or pork chops
• 1 tbsp ground allspice
• 4 hot chilli peppers, deseeded
• 1 shallot
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tbsp dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

How to Make Jerk Pork Chops

1. Place all the ingredients, except for the pork chops, into a food processor or blender.
2. Blend until you have a thick, smooth jerk marinade.
3. Spread half of the marinade over the bottom of a shallow dish.
4. Place the pork chops or pork loin steaks on top.
5. Spread the remaining marinade over the top of the pork.
6. Cover the dish and place it in the fridge for several hours, or overnight if possible.
7. When ready to cook, preheat your grill to a medium-high heat.
8. Place the pork chops under the grill.
9. Cook for around 20 to 25 minutes, turning frequently, until the marinade starts to crisp and the pork is cooked through.
10. Rest for a few minutes before serving.

How Long Should You Marinate Jerk Pork Chops?

For the best flavour, marinate jerk pork chops for several hours or overnight.

You can cook them sooner if you are short on time, but leaving them longer gives the chilli, garlic, allspice and thyme more time to work into the pork.

If you are marinating overnight, keep the pork covered in the fridge.

Can You Cook Jerk Pork Chops on the BBQ?

Yes, jerk pork chops are brilliant on the BBQ.

Cook them over a medium heat and turn regularly. Because the marinade contains brown sugar, it can catch if the BBQ is too hot.

You want the pork cooked through, with a slightly charred and sticky outside, not burnt to a crisp.

For more BBQ advice, read our guide on how to BBQ.

Can You Cook Jerk Pork Chops in the Oven?

Yes, you can cook jerk pork chops in the oven if you prefer.

Place the marinated pork chops on a lined baking tray and cook at 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6 for around 25 to 30 minutes, depending on thickness.

For extra colour, finish them under the grill for a few minutes at the end.

How Do You Know Pork Chops Are Cooked?

Pork chops should be cooked through before serving.

The safest and easiest way to check is with a meat thermometer. The pork should reach at least 75°C in the thickest part.

If you do not have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part and make sure the meat is cooked through and the juices run clear.

Can You Make the Jerk Marinade Less Spicy?

Yes, you can adjust the heat easily.

This recipe is quite warm, so reduce the number of chilli peppers if you prefer a milder jerk marinade.

You can also remove the seeds and membranes from the chillies, which helps reduce the heat. If you like it properly spicy, add more chilli or use hotter chillies.

Can You Make the Marinade Sweeter?

Yes, you can add a little more brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter marinade.

The sugar helps balance the chilli and spices, and it also helps the marinade caramelise as the pork cooks.

Just remember that sugar can burn, so cook over steady heat and turn the chops regularly.

What to Serve with Jerk Pork Chops

Jerk pork chops work well with rice and peas, chips, wedges, coleslaw, corn on the cob, salad, roasted vegetables, sweet potato fries, grilled pineapple or flatbreads.

They are also great sliced into wraps, rice bowls or loaded fries.

For more pork ideas, browse our pork range or try our simple pork rub recipe.

Tips for Better Jerk Pork Chops

• Marinate the pork for several hours if you can.
• Keep the pork covered in the fridge while marinating.
• Wear gloves when handling hot chillies.
• Remove chilli seeds if you want less heat.
• Cook over medium-high heat rather than blasting them too hard.
• Turn regularly so the sugar in the marinade does not burn.
• Rest the pork for a few minutes before serving.

Final Thoughts

Jerk pork chops are spicy, sweet, aromatic and full of flavour.

The homemade jerk marinade takes a few minutes to make, and the longer you leave the pork to marinate, the better it gets.

Grill them, BBQ them, or cook them in the oven, then serve with rice, coleslaw, corn, chips or whatever makes you happy.

Shirley knew what she was doing with this one.

FAQs

How do you make jerk pork chops?

Blend allspice, chillies, shallot, garlic, nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, soy sauce, thyme, salt and pepper into a marinade, coat the pork chops, marinate, then grill until cooked through.

How long should you marinate jerk pork chops?

Marinate jerk pork chops for several hours, or overnight if possible, for the best flavour.

Can you BBQ jerk pork chops?

Yes, jerk pork chops are excellent on the BBQ. Cook over a medium heat and turn regularly so the marinade caramelises without burning.

Can you cook jerk pork chops in the oven?

Yes, cook them at 200°C, 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6 for around 25 to 30 minutes, depending on thickness.

Are jerk pork chops spicy?

They can be. This recipe is quite warm, but you can reduce the number of chillies if you prefer a milder marinade.

What pork is best for jerk pork chops?

Pork loin steaks or pork chops work well because they cook fairly quickly and take on the marinade nicely.

What do you serve with jerk pork chops?

Serve jerk pork chops with rice and peas, coleslaw, corn on the cob, chips, wedges, salad, grilled pineapple or sweet potato fries.