Don’t settle for ordinary when you can make these delicious Cuban Mojo Pork Chops! The rich, bold flavor of the garlic-citrus mojo works beautifully on these plump, juicy pork chops. What’s even better is that you can grill them or bake them in the oven. So gather your ingredients and treat your taste buds to a flavor explosion!

This is one of our favorite recipes for make-ahead meals. Double the recipe to make several dinners for the week. You can slice these Cuban Mojo Pork Chops and add them to wraps and salads or enjoy them as is. Use rib chops for best results.

What is mojo?

The word mojo means good luck and is also a brightly flavored sauce used in Cuban cooking. Mojo typically contains citrus juice sourced from bitter orange. However, for this pork chop recipe, we will be using a combination of regular orange and lime juice.

Ingredients

• 4 pork rib chops: bone-in
• Cilantro: (garnish) sub with flat-lead parsley if preferred
• Fresh orange juice
• Fresh lime juice
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Granulated onion: or onion powder
• Cumin powder
• Salt and black pepper
• Dried oregano

How to Make Cuban Mojo Pork Chops:

• Combine citrus juices, olive oil, garlic, granulated onion, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
• Place the pork chops into a resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade mixture over the top, and using tongs, gently toss to coat.
• Seal bag and marinate the pork chops in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours.

Want to infuse the pork chops with a little smoke flavor? Use apple wood chips, chunks, or pellets.

Grilling Mojo Pork Chops

• Preheat your grill for 350 degrees F or medium heat.
• Remove the bag with pork chops from the refrigerator. Let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Place chops onto grill grate, close lid, and cook for 10 minutes. Turn chops and cook for an additional 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches your desired doneness. 
• Please note that 145 degrees F. is medium-rare, 150 degrees F. is medium, and 155 degrees F. is medium-well.
• Once cooked, remove the mojo chops from the grill and place them onto a clean platter or cutting board. Top with chopped cilantro (or your favorite garnish) and serve.
• Oven method: Bake pork chops in a 350-degree oven for 17-20 minutes. Check the internal temperature after 10-12 minutes of cooking time to see how they are progressing. Use the doneness guide above to determine what is right for you.

Storing leftovers:

Store your leftover Cuban Mojo Pork Chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Freeze chops in a vacuum-sealed bag for three months.

Make-ahead meal planning: This Cuban Mojo Pork Chop recipe makes four meals for one person or two meals for two people. Pair these chops with some of our favorite healthy and low-carb sides:

• Grilled Zucchini Skins
• Easy Grilled Cauliflower
• Smoked Butternut Squash
• Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans

Print

Grilled Cuban Mojo Pork Chops

Course Main Course

Cuisine Caribbean

Keyword pork chops

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes minutes

Marinating Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 28 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Sabrina Baksh

Ingredients

• 4 pork rib chops about 1-inch thick
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro garnish, optional

For marinade:

• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon granulated onion
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Combine marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
• Place pork chops into a resealable plastic bag or an air tight container with a lid (glass or plastic) large enough to hold four pork chops. Pour marinade mixture over top and toss to coat. Seal bag or secure lid onto the dish. Marinate chops in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours.
• Preheat grill for medium heat.
• Remove chops from the refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature or 10 minutes.
• Place chops onto grill grate, close lid and cook for 10 minutes. Turn chops and cook for an additional 8, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches desired doneness. Please note that 145 degrees F. is medium-rare, 150 degrees F. is medium, and 155 degrees F. is medium-well.
• Once cooked, remove chops from the grill and place onto a clean platter or cutting board. Top with chopped cilantro (or your favorite garnish) and serve.

The post Cuban Mojo Pork Chops appeared first on BBQ & Grilling with Derrick Riches.