Grilled Bone-In Pork Chops

Serves 4

  1. Dissolve salt and sugar in 1 1/2 quarts cold water in a large container.
  2. Submerge chops in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  3. Remove chops from the brine and pat dry.
  4. Combine the cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, and pepper to make the spice rub.
  5. Rub the chops with the spices.
  6. For a Charcoal Grill

  7. Open bottom vent completely.
  8. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts).
  9. When top coals are partially covered with as, pour two-thirds even over the grill, then pour remaining coal over half the grill.
  10. Set cooking grate in place, cover, open the lid vent completely.
  11. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.
  12. For a Gas Grill

  13. Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes.
  14. Leave the primary burner on high and turn off the other burner(s).
  15. Clean and oil the cooking grate.
  16. Place chops on the hotter side of the grill and cook (cover if using gas) until browned on both sides, 4 to 8 minutes.
  17. Move chops to the cool side of the grill, cover, and continue to cook, turning once, until meat registers 145°F, 7 to 9 minutes longer.
  18. Transfer chops to serving platter, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
  19. Serve.

The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2017. Page 508. U.S.A.: Penguin Random House, 2016.