Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops

Get ready for the juiciest, most flavorful pork chops you’ve ever tasted! This Southern-inspired brine transforms ordinary chops into something extraordinary, using the magic of sweet tea to tenderize and infuse them with incredible flavor.

The combination of black tea’s subtle tannins, molasses’ rich sweetness, and perfectly balanced seasonings creates pork chops that are impossibly tender and packed with a complex flavor that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Trust me, this isn’t your average pork chop recipe.

Ingredients

For the Brine:

• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 black tea bags

For the Pork:

• 1.5 lbs boneless pork chops (approximately 4 chops)

Steps

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups water, 1/4 cup sugar, 3 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp molasses, bay leaf, and black pepper. Add tea bags (optionally cut them open for more intense tea specks). Heat over medium-high heat until mixture reaches a full boil (212°F/100°C).
2. Create an ice bath in a large bowl. Transfer the hot brine to a heat-safe container and place in ice bath. Cool completely to 40°F (4°C) or below to prevent bacterial growth.
3. Once cooled, submerge pork chops in brine. Cover container and refrigerate for exactly 4 hours. Don’t exceed this time or the meat can become too salty.
4. Remove chops from brine and pat VERY dry with paper towels. Any remaining moisture will prevent proper searing. Let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling.
5. Preheat grill to medium-high (400-450°F/204-232°C). Clean and oil grates well to prevent sticking.
6. Grill chops for 4 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 150-155°F (65-68°C). They will rise to 155-160°F (68-71°C) while resting. Look for nice grill marks and slight charring on edges.
7. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Smart Swaps

• Skip the molasses and use 2 tbsp brown sugar instead
• Try green tea bags for a lighter flavor profile
• Use bone-in chops, adding 2 minutes per side to cooking time

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace sugar with 1/4 cup monk fruit sweetener
• Use sugar-free tea bags to reduce carbs by 6g per serving
• Pair with non-starchy vegetables to keep glycemic impact low
• Consider reducing brine time to 3 hours if using thinner cuts

Pro Tips

• For extra flavor, add 2 sprigs fresh rosemary to the brine
• Let chops come to room temperature before grilling for even cooking
• Use tongs instead of a fork to flip to keep juices sealed in
• Always let meat rest on a slightly elevated rack to prevent steaming