Summer is my favorite season. It’s warm enough to go barefoot and dig in the dirt, play in the kiddy pool, and, the hands-down best summer activity, getting our grill on. The men in my family vie for the chance to operate the grill, meaning they can prepare the main dish while I whip up the sides. Or, if I’m really lucky, while they also whip up the sides. We grill all sorts of meat-beef, chicken, and pork. When we’re ready for a little something different, we prepare our recipe for Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Salsa.
Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Salsa
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of salsa to add flavor to a summer dish. It’s cool, has a hint of sweetness, and enough heat to add a kick to your day. I make traditional salsa, but I also enjoy fruit salsas, like Peach, Watermelon, and Mango.
Peaches are available in abundance in our area during June, July, and August. We’re not called the “peach state” for nothing. They give this recipe the perfect duo of sweet and tart.
Cooking and Preparation Tips:
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
- Plan ahead- the pork needs to marinate for one hour before cooking.
- If you prefer, you can substitute chicken for pork.
- You can substitute boneless pork roast for the pork chops. To prepare the pork roast, grill the roast for 20 to 30 minutes, turning occasionally until the pork is no longer pink on the inside and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Slice the pork into medallions and serve with the salsa.
- The salsa can be prepared 24 hours in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It’s actually better made in advance because the flavors meld.
- Substitute your favorite herbs for the thyme and garlic powder in the pork chop marinade. Another good combination is chives and rosemary.
- Pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees F to prevent food-borne illness.
Good Accompaniments:
If you’re unsure what to serve as a side, any of these would go well with the grilled pork chops and peach salsa.
- Rice pilaf
- Pasta Salad
- Couscous
- Green beans
What You Need to Make The Salsa:
Seven ingredients is all you need to have your own special salsa.
- Red onion- only use the red variety as it has a stronger flavor
- Peaches
- Lime Juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh Cilantro (leave this out of the recipe if you dislike the taste)
- Tip: Make the salsa before preparing the marinade and allowing the 1-hour marinating time. This will help the flavors to meld.
What You Need to Make the Pork Chops:
- Canola or Olive Oil (Canola oil adds a milder flavor
- Garlic Powder (or substitute 1/4 cup fresh minced garlic)
- Dried Thyme (or substitute 1/4 cup fresh thyme)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Vinegar -Use white vinegar for a milder flavor, balsamic for a stronger flavor
- Red onion
- Tip: The marinade can be made up to 24 hours in advance and the pork chops added.
How to Grill The Pork Chops:
Grilling the pork chops begins with seasoning. This can be done in two ways.
- Marinade the pork chops for one hour, then grill.
- The “I’m hungry and in a hurry” way- Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Set aside. In another small bowl, mix the oil and the vinegar. Coat both sides of the chop evenly with the oil and vinegar mixture. Rub the spice mixture onto both sides of the chops.
- Place the pork chops on the grill. Grill the chops for 5-7 minutes. Turn the chops and grill for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 140-145 degrees.
- Remove the chops from the grill and allow them to stand five minutes prior to eating.
Printable Recipe:
Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Salsa Recipe
5
servingsIngredients
For the Peach Salsa:
1/2 cup red onion, diced
2 peaches, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
For the Pork Chops:
5 end-cut pork chops
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup diced red onion
Directions
- In a medium bowl, add onion, peaches, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Gently stir until blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- In a large resealable storage bag, add the oil, vinegar, garlic powder, dried thyme, sea salt, pepper, and diced red onion. Add the pork chops. Seal the bag and shake well to coat the pork chops. Marinate for 1 hour. Remove the pork chops from the bag and discard the marinade.
- Place the pork chops on the grill. Grill the chops for 5-7 minutes. Turn the chops and grill for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 140-145 degrees. Remove the chops from the grill and allow them to stand five minutes prior to eating.
Grilling could be a year-round activity at our home! If you need more grilling ideas, try this recipe for Easy Pork Tacos with Avocado Mango Salsa. What do you enjoy grilling in the summer?
You Might Like These Refreshing Summer Dessert Recipes:
The Best Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake
Almond Amaretto Pound Cake
Strawberries and Cream Cake Gluten Free
I just bought some fresh peaches! I’m so going to make this recipe! Thanks!
Wow.. this looks simply delicious!!! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
This is definitely a super southern meal! lol
That peach salsa is the perfect addition. Peaches are perfect for summer eats!
Sounds nice a good recipe to try out on the grill this summer! Love the combinations of ingredients – I am a huge fan of fresh cilantro and the idea of the salsa makes this a unique dish.
I love grilled pork chops and peaches. I make this every summer. Will try your recipe. It looks delicious.
I’ve eaten pineapple salsa but I’ve never had peach salsa! It looks delicious! I’ll have to try your recipe!
This looks so darn tasty! I love a good grilled pork chop and peaches are my favorite fruit. I bet they are amazing together.
This sounds like heaven! I have not ever grilled pork chops. I’m not sure why! This recipe sounds like what summer is all about.
I love pork chops but I always over cook them. I need to try putting them on the girl. I love peaches but I never though to put them on pork chops.
This looks like such a tasty dish! I love the fresh fruit element too!
Pork pairs so well with apple, so I am excited to incorporate peaches. This recipes seems like the perfect balance of hearty yet fresh.
I haven’t try peach salsa but I like salsa and of course, pork dishes are my favorite!
My husband loves pork dishes, I will give this a try and I hope he will love it. After all, the picture of it looks delicious!
The fruit at the farmer’s market has been so incredible the last couple of weeks. I need to grab some peaches over the weekend because that salsa sounds awesome.
The combo with the peach sounds so good!
What a unique dish! I love the peaches with the pork. It sounds delish!
Thanks for another idea of what to do with pork, I am always lost on what to do with it!
What a neat combo of ingredients, I hadn’t thought of peach with pork before. This looks good!
Anytime I can cook with peaches, I’m in. This looks fantastic. I can’t wait to try it.
Love grilled pork but I never had grilled peaches or even a peach salsa. It looks and sounds amazing!
This is an interesting combo that I will have to try. Sounds good 🙂
Wow, that is interesting! I never pair fruit with meats, I will have to try that sometime! It looks delicious!
Oh yum! I think I’d love this flavor combo. The guys love pork chops and I think they’d like this twist.
Sounds delicious. We grill a lot, all year round. I love peaches but have never made peach salsa… I need to give this a try.
I’ve had peach salsa outside before, but I’ve never made my own homemade version. I’d love to try this recipe for sure! It sounds so delicious!
MMMMM!!!! I love pork and pork chops, but have never had them with peaches! This sounds so delicious and unique – I’m making it this weekend!
My daughter is in love with pork, and this looks simply delicious! Definitely a recipe that I will be keeping to try in the future!
Mmmm. that Peach salsa would be good with just a fork! I can make this for sangria, too.
Wow, this looks so yummy. We grill pork chops all the time, but I never thought about adding a salsa with it. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
That looks spectacular! Fruit is always a wonderful compliment to pork. I can’t wait to try this.
So what time is dinner? LOL I think I’m going to come over your house when you cook this it looks so good
We love pork chops! This looks like a light and tangy way to cook them. I can almost smell the salsa thru my screen.
Whoa that looks amazing. I have never had peach salsa before! What a great little treat to add. I’ll have to try this!
That salsa sounds so good. I have never had anything like that on pork chops before, but I need to try this.
Pork chops are one of my favorite meats to grill and your Peach Salsa sounds like the perfect dish to serve with them. We live in the Peach state and they are in season so I’m planning to make this.