Name: Grilled Honey-Glazed Pork Chops
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: US & Canada
Ingredients: 4 (10-ounce) bone-in pork rib or center-cut chops , about 1 inch thick, trimmed; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch; 1/4 cup honey; 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Why This Recipe Works

We battled glazes that slid right off the chops, while chops appeared slightly lacquered required such lengthy grilling and basting times that the meat was as a dry as a bone. We rub our chops with a sugar mixture that caramelizes on the grill creating a rough surface for our super-reduced glaze to stick to. Oh, and the meat is perfectly cooked too.

Instructions

Cut 2 slits about 2 inches apart through fat and connective tissue around outside of each chop. Combine sugar, salt, and pepper in bowl. Pat chops dry with paper towels and rub with sugar mixture.

Whisk vinegar and cornstarch in small saucepan until no lumps remain. Stir in honey, mustard, thyme, and cayenne and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until glaze is reduced to 1/4 cup, 5 to 7 minutes.

For a charcoal grill: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour two-thirds evenly over grill, then pour remaining coals over half of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.For a gas grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave primary burner on high and turn other burner(s) to medium-low.

Clean and oil cooking grate. Place chops on cool part of grill and cook (covered if using gas) until meat registers 140 degrees, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Brush chops with glaze and grill, glazed side down, over hot part of grill until caramelized, about 1 minute. Repeat with second side of chops. Transfer chops to platter, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Brush with remaining glaze. Serve.