Ranch-Marinated Pork Chop Recipe

Grilled ranch pork chops recipe on a plate with grilled corn

The Spruce 

Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Marinate: 30 mins
Total: 44 mins
Servings: 4 servings

There's something so satisfying—along with so quick and easy—about using a pre-made ingredient as a marinade. This recipe for pork chops with bottled ranch dressing is just that.

Pork's mild flavor makes it a great blank slate and an ideal complement to the creamy and tangy herb-driven taste of a ranch marinade. The dressing adds flavor and moisture to grilled pork chops. You can, of course, make your own ranch dressing if you'd like, which would take the flavor to the next level, but the convenience factor is the big appeal of this recipe.

Add some veggies such as corn or foil-wrapped potatoes to the grill while you're cooking the chops, to go with them, or serve with mashed potatoes. It's also great alongside a fresh green salad, too.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup ranch salad dressing

  • 4 boneless loin pork chops, about 1-inch thick

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for ranch-marinated pork chops
    The Spruce 
  2. Combine dressing and pork chops in a shallow bowl and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.

    Pork chops marinating in ranch dressing in a shallow bowl
    The Spruce 
  3. When ready to cook, prepare and preheat the grill, building a two-level fire.

    Prepare two-level fire on a charcoal grill
    The Spruce 
  4. Remove the chops from the marinade; discard marinade.

    Pork chops removed from ranch marinade
    The Spruce 
  5. Place chops on the hottest part of the grill and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.

    Marinated pork chops on a charcoal grill
    The Spruce 
  6. When the chops release, turn them and sear on the second side, for 1 to 2 minutes.

    Ranch-marinated pork chops cooked on one side on charcoal grill
    The Spruce  
  7. Then move the chops to the cooler part of the grill. Cover and grill for 4 minutes.

    Grilling pork chops marinated in ranch dressing
    The Spruce 
  8. Turn the chops and cover; grill for 4 to 6 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer registers 145 to 150 F.

    Checking pork chops for doneness with a thermometer
    The Spruce 
  9. Remove chops from grill, place on serving plate, and cover. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes. 

    Cooked pork chops covered in foil next to a bowl of grilled corn
    The Spruce 

Variations

  • This recipe was written for a charcoal grill, but you can use a gas grill if that's what you have. The instructions are just about the same. Start the chops on the hotter part of the grill, as directed in this recipe, and then move to a cooler part to finish cooking them.
  • You can also bake these chops in the oven if you'd prefer. Put them on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes at 350 F. Don't forget to check for doneness (145 to 150 F) with a thermometer.
  • This recipe can easily be doubled.

How to Store and Freeze Ranch-Marinated Pork Chops

Cooked pork chops will keep in the refrigerator, well wrapped, for up to 3 or 4 days. Reheat in foil in a low oven (325 F) for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also use the meat cold from the fridge in a soup, or perhaps topping a salad with ranch dressing.

Why Are My Pork Chops Always Tough?

Pork chops are an exceptionally lean cut of meat, which means it's very easy to overcook them, which makes them dry and tough. This can happen quickly in just a couple of minutes, whether it's on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grill. The marinade helps keep them juicy, and so does checking them for doneness. The most important thing is to cook it until it reaches 145 to 150 F on an instant-read thermometer.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
443 Calories
32g Fat
2g Carbs
37g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 443
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 9g 44%
Cholesterol 111mg 37%
Sodium 388mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 37g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 21mg 2%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 521mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)