If you are a fan of pork chops, the way that you flavor them will set them apart. Beer can add a wonderfully rich and savory flavor to meat. and it is known for being exceptional when added to pork. The alcohol burns off while the meat is cooking so you don’t have to worry if you’re going to be driving after your meal.
There are many ways beer can be used to flavor pork chops, but we feel this recipe is one of the best. Read on to find out more about how you can make it for your family.
Beer Pork Chops
The recipe begins by trimming the fat off of four boneless pork loin chops cut about 1 ¼ inches thick. Then mix together a marinade of one 12-ounce bottle of stout, ¼ cup honey mustard, 3 cloves of minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds.
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Put the chops and the marinade in a plastic bag and leave it in the refrigerator for 6 to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Remove the chops and pour the marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes or until the marinade is reduced by half.
In a covered grill, arrange heated coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above the pan. Place chops on the grill rack over the drip pan. Cover and grill for 30 to 35 minutes or until juices run clear. Brush chops with marinade frequently during the last 10 minutes of grilling.
Discard remaining marinade and serve.
Other Dishes to Use Beer In
Not everyone likes the taste of beer, but when used in cooking, it can take the taste of your food to a whole new level. It adds a deep, earthy flavor to savory dishes and a nutty caramelized flavor to baked goods.
The hops in the beer make the beer bitter, but the malt adds a sweetness that balances the taste perfectly. The bitterness works particularly well in balancing foods that are rich, creamy, and high in sugars.
Beer works well with pork chops, but here are some other dishes you might want to try it in:
- Fried Foods: Try replacing the fizzy seltzer water in your batter for a light beer to make the batter light and airy.
- Soups and Stews: Replace the stock or wine with stout or ale to give a hearty taste to beef stew or lamb shanks. For a chicken or seafood stew, try a wheat beer. A porter will go well with dark, rich-tasting dishes like chili.
- Baking: Beer is often used as a substitute for yeast in helping the bread to rise. A light lager will work well. Darker stouts are perfect for chocolate recipes.
- Marinades and Sauces: Beer works well in marinades because it helps to tenderize the meat. It caramelizes the outside of seared meat while lending an earthy flavor.
If you are still unsure of which beer to choose, you can opt for a pale ale. These offer a light flavor that is not overpowering and can work with a wide variety of foods. It is also a good idea to go for a high-quality beer. A beer that is low in quality can bring down the taste of the food so try to avoid buying an inexpensive beer just to save a few pennies.
Beer can add the perfect flavoring to your meat dishes and these beer glazed pork chops are a great example. How will you be using beer to take your recipes to the next level?
Sides to Serve With This Recipe
These pork chops can be served with a wide variety of sides, but baby red potatoes can make the perfect complement to this dish. Just spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with garlic and oregano, and toss into a pan to bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. This can be done while the pork chops are being prepped and cooked.
If you don't want to serve baby reds but like the idea of a potato side, why not serve French fries? You can buy a variety of French fry types at the store, so opt for the one your family likes best. If you can't decide, shoestring or steak fries are always a good choice. Smiley fries can be a good selection for families with kids.
If potatoes aren't of interest to you right now, no worries. A side salad can also be a fantastic choice for this pork chop dinner. Indulge in the main course while sticking to a healthier side. Include a variety of vegetables in your side salad so that you'll have a nutritionally-dense side.
Mac and cheese is a certified winner every time, whether it's a main course or a side dish. You can include beer in a mac and cheese recipe, so if you want to maintain the same theme throughout the whole dish that's a good direction to go in. There are many options out there, so pick the recipe that you like best!
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Beer-Glazed Pork Chops
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
The alcohol burns off as it cooks, leaving the flavor of stout to make these moist flavorful pork chops.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork top loin chops, cut 1 1/4-inches thick (about 1 3/4 pounds)
- 1– 12 ounces bottle stout (dark beer)
- 1/4 cup honey mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
Instructions
- Trim fat from chops.
- Place chops in a self-sealing plastic bag set in a shallow dish.
- For marinade, stir together the remaining ingredients; pour over chops. Close bag.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 24 hours, turning bag occasionally.
- Remove chops; pour marinade into a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat.
- Simmer, uncovered, about 15 minutes or until marinade is reduced by half.
- In a covered grill arrange heated coals around a drip pan.
- Test for medium heat above the pan.
- Place chops on grill rack over drip pan.
- Cover and grill for 30 to 35 minutes or until the juices run clear (160°F) brushing chops frequently with marinade during the last 10 minutes of grilling.
- Discard any remaining marinade.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Pxhere / CC0 Public Domain.