Thai Pork Chops Recipe
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This Thai pork chops recipe is the perfect family meal for meat lovers. It’s easy to make with a delicious Thai marinade and is best served with rice – and yes, there’s an amazing dipping sauce included!
If you’ve got friends coming over, you can turn these into Thai BBQ pork chops by simply throwing them on the grill. And for the perfect backyard BBQ, serve them with your favorite Thai pork recipes, like moo yang and moo ping.
What are Thai pork chops
Juicy pork chops are soaked in a Thai marinade and then grilled in grilling a pan or over charcoal. They’re best served with rice, a dipping sauce, and a side of healthy vegetables.
Pork chops are cut from the pig’s loin, the part that runs from the shoulder to the hip. They’re mostly lean and soft, with a bit of fat around the sides for extra taste.
Grilled pork steak
My husband started calling this dish Thai pork steak, and I think we’ll be picking it over regular beef steak more and more.
What makes this recipe so good is the coconut milk marinade for pork chops. It makes the pork incredibly tender and gives it a rich, creamy flavor.
A grilling pan is perfect on busy weeknights, but when you have a bit more time during the weekends, you should definitely use a charcoal grill. This adds some of that delicious smoky flavor to the Thai marinated pork, and the smell of grilling always just makes everything feel more special, right?
And you can’t forget the sauces. I’ve created the best dipping sauce for pork chops that’s both tangy and sweet at the same time. Another great grilled pork dipping sauce is nam jim jaew, Thailand’s go-to sauce for grilled meats.
Whatever cooking method and Thai dipping sauce you choose, this recipe is a win-win. It’s perfect for beginners but still a hit with everyone. Just let the pork marinate long enough to soak up all those yummy Thai flavors. And definitely try it with the sauce.
Ingredients
Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Thai pork chops marinade
- Pork chops
- Black peppercorns
- Coriander root
- Garlic
- Golden mountain sauce – Golden mountain sauce is a savory Thai seasoning sauce, similar to soy sauce, that adds a unique umami flavor to dishes.
- Oyster sauce – Oyster sauce is a thick, savory sauce made from oyster extracts, perfect for adding a rich, umami depth to stir-fries and marinades.
- Coconut milk
Dipping sauce
- Thai chili flakes (optional)
- Green onions
- Culantro – Culantro is a tropical herb with a flavor similar to cilantro but more intense.
- Garlic
- Water
- Tamarind paste – Tamarind paste is a tangy and slightly sweet concentrate used in Thai cooking to add a sweet-sour flavor.
- Palm sugar – Palm sugar is a natural sweetener that adds a caramel-like sweetness.
- Fish sauce – Fish sauce is a salty, fermented condiment that adds umami and depth to Thai food.
How to grill pork chops
Step 1: Crush garlic, coriander root, and black peppercorns with a mortar and pestle.
Step 2: Place the pork chops in a dish and score both sides with a fork. Scoring helps the marinade soak into the meat better and ensures even cooking.
Step 3: Combine the crushed spices from step 1 with coconut milk, oyster sauce, and golden mountain sauce in a large bowl. Stir everything until well mixed.
Step 4: Put the pork chops in the bowl with the marinade. Make sure they are fully coated. Then, let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to absorb the flavors.
Step 5: In a small saucepan, combine tamarind paste, palm sugar, water, and fish sauce. Heat it over low heat, stirring until the sauce thickens, which should take about 3–5 minutes.
Step 6: Take the sauce off the heat and let it cool down. Once cooled, add finely chopped culantro and green onions to the sauce. If you like a bit of heat, you can also add some optional red pepper flakes.
Step 7: Heat your grill on medium. Grill pork chops for about 5–7 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of your cut, or until they’re browned and cooked through. Let them rest for a minute before serving to allow the juices to spread back through the meat. This makes them juicy and tasty. Enjoy with the sauce you made and a side of rice!
Kitchenware
Here’s a short list of kitchen tools you’ll need for making coconut pork chops:
- Mortar and pestle or food processor (for the dipping sauce)
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Mixing bowl (for the marinade)
- Grilling pan or charcoal grill
- Tongs (for flipping the pork steaks)
What to serve with Thai-style pork chop
These Thai marinated pork chops are quite meaty, so serving them with a side is perfect for a balanced meal.
Rice: Pork and rice are a classic combination in Thai cuisine. Both steamed jasmine rice and Thai sticky rice go great with pork chops.
Vegetables: A healthy Thai vegetables stir-fry adds nutrition and a fresh crunch. It’s easy to make, and you can add whatever vegetables you like or have on hand, like broccoli and bell peppers.
Salad: A light side of Thai salad like som tum Thai, or green papaya salad, is always delicious and pairs great with meat dishes.
Storing grilled pork steak leftovers
Refrigerating: Let your leftovers cool down to room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge like this for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat the pork in a grilling pan until warm, or use the oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C), place your pork on a baking sheet, and cover it with aluminum foil to keep it moist.
Freezing after marinating: Place the marinated pork chops in a freezer-safe bag and pour in the remaining marinade. Squeeze out as much air as possible and seal the bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw them in the fridge overnight before grilling.
Freezing after grilling: Let your grilled pork chops cool to room temperature, and wrap each chop tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped chops in a freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. You can keep them frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Are pork chops healthy?
Yes, pork chops can be part of a healthy diet. They’re a good source of protein and have less fat than most other pork cuts. It’s also a rich source of vitamins and minerals.
What temp are pork chops done?
Pork chops are done when their internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C), which makes them safe to eat and still juicy.
Are pork chops keto friendly?
Yes, pork chops are keto-friendly because they’re high in protein and low in carbs, fitting well into a keto diet plan.
Authentic Thai pork recipes
- Thai sweet and sour pork
- Thai green curry pork
- Ba mee moo dang
- Mookata recipe (Thai BBQ)
- Khao kha moo (Thai braised pork leg)
- Moo hong (Thai pork belly stew)
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Thai Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
Marinade
- 400 g pork chops
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 g black peppercorns
- 1 coriander root
- 15 ml oyster sauce
- 7 ml golden mountain sauce
- 30 ml coconut milk
Sauce
- 30 ml tamarind paste
- 22 g palm sugar
- 60 ml water
- 8 ml fish sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped, for garnishing
- 1 tbsp culantro, finely chopped, for garnishing
- Thai chili flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Crush garlic, coriander root, and black peppercorns with a mortar and pestle.
- Place the pork chops in a dish and score both sides with a fork.
- Combine the crushed spices from step 1 with coconut milk, oyster sauce, and golden mountain sauce in a large bowl. Stir everything until well mixed.
- Put the pork chops in the bowl with the marinade. Make sure they are fully coated. Then, let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to absorb the flavors.
- In a small saucepan, combine tamarind paste, palm sugar, water, and fish sauce. Heat it over low heat, stirring until the sauce thickens, which should take about 3–5 minutes.
- Take the sauce off the heat and let it cool down. Once cooled, add finely chopped culantro and green onions to the sauce. If you like a bit of heat, you can also add some optional red pepper flakes.
- Heat your grill on medium. Grill pork chops for about 5–7 minutes on each side, or until they’re browned and cooked through. Let them rest for a minute before serving. Enjoy with the sauce you made and a side of rice!
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- Serve your Thai pork chops with a side of rice and don’t forget the dipping sauce.
