Easy Pork Chop Brine
Servings 4 pork chops
Equipment
- 9 x 13 Inch Glass Baking Dish
- Large cast iron skillet
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
Brine Ingredients:
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4-6 large cloves of garlic smashed
- 2 tsp black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
- 1 orange thinly sliced, seeds discarded
- 2 cups of ice water with ice cubes
- 3-4 bone-in pork chops
Cooking Ingredients (Optional):
- Homemade pork chop seasoning or seasoning of choice, to taste
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Make the brine by heating the chicken broth in a medium saucepan over medium heat (or microwave for 1 minute) until slightly hot. Add the kosher salt, brown sugar, garlic cloves, and peppercorns, and stir to combine. Set aside until the sugar and salt dissolve and the broth has cooled.
- Pour the mixture into a large 9 x 13 glass baking dish (or a large zip-lock bag). Add the bay leaves, fresh thyme, rosemary, orange slices, ice water, and ice cubes; stir until well combined.
- Make sure the water is cold, then add the pork chops. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate, and brine for 2 hours.
- Optional Cooking Method for Brined Pork Chops:
- To cook the pork chops, remove them from the refrigerator, discard the brine, and lightly rinse them with water. Place them on paper towels and dry them very well.
- Season both sides of each chop evenly with pork dry rub or preferred seasoning; set aside until needed.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet (or ovenproof skillet) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned pork chops and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes.
- Flip the pork chops and put the skillet in the oven to finish cooking for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pork chop, until a meat thermometer reads 145 degrees.
- Remove the pork to a cutting board and let the meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy.