The Best Pork Chop Seasoning

I used to stand in my kitchen staring at plain pork chops, wondering how to make them taste better without spending hours cooking. The store-bought seasoning blends were either too salty, too spicy, or just lacked that perfect blend of sweet and savory. One night during a busy weeknight, I ran out of my usual mix and had to whip something up from my pantry staples. To my surprise, it was the best flavor I’d ever tasted all with simple spices I already had on hand.

I’ll walk you through my go-to homemade pork chop recipe, inspired by people like Susie Bulloch and shaped by experience. You’ll learn how to create a quick, flavorful mix in minutes just toss everything in a glass container, and it’s ready whenever you need it. This is a breeze to whip up, tastes better than pre-packed options, and comes with full disclosure on affiliate links and policy

Pork Chop Seasoning

I believe this is the best seasoning for pork chops you can make at home without spending a ton of money on strange or unique ingredients you’ll never use for anything else. This simple blend of basic ingredients has the secret ratios needed to achieve the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors with just a little kick of spice.

The recipe calls for smoked paprika to bring that extra element of flavor that’s not always easy to find in stores. I highly recommend picking up a bottle to try this recipe – the paprika adds an incredible hint of wood-fired flavor. On the other hand, if you only have regular paprika, that’s totally fine too. Just be aware that there are several additional varieties of paprika that vary from sweet to hot, so read the label carefully unless you want to end up with super spicy results! Combine all the paprika and other ingredients in a large mixing bowl for the best results.

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Grilled Pork Chop Seasoning

While this recipe was originally developed as a grilled pork chop seasoning, I’ve found it works beautifully on baked pork chops and pan-seared pork chops as well. The secret to success, no matter how you’re cooking your pork chops, is to start at a lower temperature.

When grilling, use indirect heat rather than placing your pork chops right above the fire. This allows the seasoning to cook and coat the outside of the pork chops without burning. Apply the seasoning generously with a spoon or by hand for even coverage.

Pork Chop Seasoning Ingredients

You only need basic ingredients to make this seasoning – items you likely already have in your pantry or can be easily found at most grocery stores:

2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
1 Tablespoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Simply combine all ingredients in a bowl, use immediately, or store the seasoning in a sealed glass jar for up to 6 months for the best flavor. This seasoning should be sprinkled generously over pork chops before cooking.

How to Season Pork Chops

Once your seasoning is ready, you need to know how to properly season your pork chops. Always start with fully defrosted pork chops for even cooking.

Sprinkle the pork chop seasoning liberally on all sides of the chops. I like to use my hands to sprinkle the seasoning over pork chops from about 8-10 inches above – this allows the seasonings to distribute evenly. You don’t need to rub the seasoning into the meat, but if you have any clumps of brown sugar, I like to press the seasoning into the meat with the palm of my hand.

I recommend letting the seasoning sit for a few minutes before grilling. Grill over a preheated grill at 400 degrees F using two-zone cooking. Place the pork chops over indirect heat for 10-12 minutes, flipping once, then sear them before the pork chops are completely done. Move them to direct heat on one side of the grill – this allows you to sear and develop a beautiful exterior crust thanks to the sugar in the pork chop seasoning.

Watch closely during this step to make sure the seasoning caramelizes but doesn’t burn. This should only take a minute or two per side. Your seasoned grilled pork chop will be perfectly cooked and delicious!

More Seasoning Recipes

Check out these other amazing seasoning recipes that taste amazing on pork and just about anything else:

BBQ Sweet Rub for Pork and Chicken
Blackened Seasoning
Chipotle Seasoning

Connect with us if you want to see more recipes, tips, and behind-the-scenes action. Follow along on our social channels – you can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. This post was originally published in October 2018 and was recently updated with more information and helpful tips, though the core recipe remains the same.

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Pork Chop Seasoning Recipe

This recipe creates about 10 servings of seasoning and takes just 5 minutes to prepare. Save this recipe to your collection – it’s a homemade pork chop seasoning made with pantry staples you’ll always have on hand. The perfect blend of sweet and savory simple spices makes it a breeze to whip up on a busy weeknight.

BBQ Must Haves

Essential BBQ seasonings and sauces to elevate your grilling:

Sweet Rub – Perfect sweet rub ingredients for pork and chicken Beef Rub – Robust beef rub ingredients for steaks and brisket
Texas Style BBQ Sauce – Classic Texas style sauce ingredients Everything BBQ Sauce – Versatile everything sauce ingredients

Keep your seasoning stored properly by pouring it into a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

Sweet Rub

Our signature sweet rub combines brown sugar, paprika, and warm spices to create the perfect balance for pork and poultry.

Beef Rub

This bold beef rub features coarse black pepper, garlic, and savory herbs designed specifically for red meat.

Texas Style BBQ Sauce

Authentic Texas style BBQ sauce with a tomato base, tangy vinegar, and just the right amount of heat.

Everything BBQ Sauce

The everything BBQ sauce is our most versatile option – perfect for any protein or grilling application.

Pork Chop Seasoning

This signature pork chop seasoning blend brings together the best of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors in one convenient mix.

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Ingredients (multiply as needed):

2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
1 Tablespoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon ground mustard powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Make the seasoning: Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stirring with a whisk or fork to break up any clumps in the brown sugar.

Use or store: Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Sprinkle liberally onto pork chops before grilling, baking, or searing.

Nutrition

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I season pork chops with?

Season pork chops with smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, mustard, and cayenne for the perfect sweet and savory blend.

What seasonings go best on pork?

The best seasonings for pork are smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne for balanced flavor.

Which spice is good for pork chops?

Smoked paprika is the best spice for pork chops as it adds incredible smoky flavor and pairs perfectly with brown sugar for caramelization.

How to flavour pork chops?

Sprinkle this homemade seasoning liberally on all sides of pork chops and let sit for a few minutes before grilling, baking, or searing.

What makes pork taste better?

The secret is balancing sweet brown sugar with savory spices like smoked paprika and garlic powder to enhance pork’s natural flavor.

Conclusion

This homemade pork chop seasoning transforms ordinary dinners into something special using simple pantry staples. The perfect blend of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors works whether you’re grilling, baking, or pan-searing your pork chops.

With just 5 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a seasoning that lasts months and beats any store-bought version. Your family will love the incredible flavor this recipe brings to every meal.