Grilled Pork Chops and Pineapple Salsa

A stress-free grilled boneless pork chop recipe perfect for summer. The pork chop gets a tasty marinade and the grilled pineapple salsa amps up the flavor!

I can't believe the summer holidays are here. We'll be celebrating the long weekend with family at home. This is a perfect quick and easy recipe for it — grilled pork chops and pineapple salsa.

This recipe has just a few simple steps, and the actual cooking time is only about 15 minutes. More time for hanging out on the deck!

The game plan for this recipe is stress-free. Start with the quick marinade for the pork chops. Then go sit on the deck with a frosty drink.

When it's time to grill, put the pineapple on first. And make the pineapple salsa while the pork chops finish cooking. For juicy pork chops, follow these guidelines on cooking pork to 145 degrees. Easy and delicious — perfect for a holiday weekend.

This post may include affiliate links. For more info, see my disclosure here.

Ingredients Needed

• Fresh lime juice - this acidity is needed for the marinade and to help tenderize the meat.


• Olive oil - for the marinade.


• Honey - a healthier alternative to brown sugar because it adds the needed sweetness to the marinade as well as helps with caramelization when grilling.


• Chipotle chili flakes - adds a little heat without being overpowering.


• Sea salt and pepper - seasonings.


• Boneless pork chops - opt for organic or heritage breed pork. I like the boneless, but you could also use bone-in.


• Grilled Pineapple Salsa - topping for the pork chops. Find the recipe here.

How To Make Pineapple Pork Chops

1. Marinate the pork chops. Add the pork chops to a baking dish. Make the marinade by combining lime juice, olive oil, honey, chipotle flakes, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour it over the pork chops and turn the pork chops to coat completely. Set aside to marinate for at least 1 hour. You can also marinate overnight, covered, in the fridge.


2. Make the pineapple salsa. Use my easy recipe for this luscious salsa. Go ahead and preheat your grill, grill the pineapple and assemble the salsa.


3. Grill the pork chops. Over medium-high heat, grill pork chops, 3-5 minutes per side, until their internal temperature reaches 145° F.


4. Let the chops rest. Once you pull the pork chops off of the heat, they will continue to cook. Letting them rest before serving also helps them redistribute their juices. Give them 3 minutes or so to sit before you plate them up and serve with the Grilled Pineapple Salsa.

​​Can I Make These Pork Chops In A Skillet?

Absolutely! I suggest using a cast iron skillet. Preheat it over medium-high heat on your burner. Spritz it lightly with avocado oil cooking spray to ensure the pork chops don't stick.

Once the skillet is hot, add the marinated pork chops and sear on each side for 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cut.

Make sure you use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature which should reach 145° F for safe consumption. Once reached, remove the pork chops from the skillet and let them rest on a plate for at least 3 minutes before serving.

Can I Cook Boneless Pork Chops In The Oven?

Yes, you can. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the marinated pork chops in a baking dish that you've coated with nonstick cooking spray.

The thickness of the pork chops will determine how long to bake them. For each half inch, bake for 7 minutes. A one-inch pork chop will need 14 minutes in the oven.

To be safe, check that the internal temperature has reached 145° F before removing from the oven. Let the chops rest for several minutes before serving.

What Type Pork Chops Should I Use?

I prefer boneless pork chops, but you can certainly use bone-in. If using bone-in, they tend to take just a little longer to cook, so add a minute or two of grilling time, per side, depending on the thickness.

Whichever cut you prefer, try for chops that are at least ½ inch thick or thicker. If they're super thin, they will cook too quickly and be tough. The thicker cuts, around 1 inch, are actually perfect for grilling as they sear on the outside and cook through to the inside while still leaving a juicy and tender center.

How To Make The Pineapple Salsa

My easy recipe is here. It's a simple salsa that starts with grilled pineapple to help it caramelize to a smoky sweetness. You'll dice it after it's been grilled and combine it with finely diced onion and jalapeno pepper. Toss it with fresh lime juice and add in freshly chopped cilantro.

The combination of sweet, spicy, and herb flavors in this marinade makes it the perfect complement to grilled pork chops and a tasty side dish to serve with cauliflower rice.

Marinade Variations

Elevate the flavor of the current marinade recipe by incorporating any or all of the following:

• Red pepper flakes: Add a spicy touch with red pepper instead of chipotle flakes.
• Fresh ginger: Finely chop or grate ginger to give the marinade a zesty kick.
• Coconut aminos: Add a splash of coconut aminos for a soy sauce flavor without soy or gluten.
• Fresh garlic: Finely chop garlic to add another layer of spicy flavor.
• Pineapple juice: For a more intense pineapple flavor, try this simple pineapple juice marinade. In a large glass bowl, combine 1 cup of pineapple juice, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of honey, ½ cup of coconut aminos, 1 teaspoon of chipotle chili flakes, and a dash of sea salt and pepper. Stir well and add the pork chops, ensuring they're fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate. Follow the grilling instructions provided in the recipe card.

Other Ways To Use Pineapple With Grilled Pork Chops

• Pineapple Slices: For a quick pineapple addition, grill fresh or canned pineapple slices. Add them to the grill while cooking the pork chops for a simple and sweet topping.
• Pineapple Chunks: Sauté pineapple chunks, fresh or canned, in a skillet on the stovetop. They will caramelize nicely with a drizzle of honey.
• Pineapple BBQ Sauce: Modify my BBQ sauce recipe by replacing peaches with pineapple. This flavorful and spicy BBQ pineapple sauce can be made in 10 minutes. Simmer pineapple, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, chipotle pepper flakes, and a little shallot on the stovetop to create a delicious homemade sauce. The ingredients are simple but offer much more flavor than store-bought BBQ sauce.

What To Serve With Pineapple Pork Chops

Cauliflower Rice

Side Salad With Avocado

Roasted Broccoli

Spicy Coleslaw

How To Store And Reheat

Leftover pork chops should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They'll keep for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven in a baking dish with a tablespoon of water per pork chop. Cover with foil and heat for 30 minutes, allowing the water to steam/heat the pork chops without drying them out. The pineapple salsa will keep, tightly covered for up to 2 days in the fridge.

Try these marinated pork chops grilled to tender and juicy perfection and topped with pineapple salsa for a delicious and easy meal. These easy pineapple pork chops will be your new weeknight favorite!

More easy grilled recipes

Place the ingredients aside and let them marinate for an hour. Preheat the grill and cook the pineapple for the salsa. Grill the pork chops for 3-5 minutes on each side until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Let the pork chops rest for 3 minutes before serving, topped with the pineapple salsa.

Nutritional information is calculated for one serving, including one pork chop and 2 tablespoons of salsa.

Keyword: grilled pork chops with pineapple, pork chops with pineapple salsa

Did you try this recipe? Don't forget to rate it and share your photos on social media. Your creations are always a delight to see! following sentence:

The cat jumped off the table and ran out the door.

Rewritten sentence: The cat leaped off the table and dashed through the door.