These Grilled Pork Chops with Herbs are packed with summer flavor thanks to a mix of fresh sage, lavender, and peppery grill seasoning. A quick maple balsamic glaze adds a sweet, tangy finish that brings it all together in under 30 minutes.
Most often, floral flavors like lavender are limited to desserts and drinks. And that makes sense. It's easy for floral flavors to work well when they're the star of the show, and the only counterpart is sweetness. Take my chocolate lavender coconut cream eggs or blueberry lavender lemonade, for instance.
But did you know not all lavender is the same? Some, like the French variety, tend to have more intense floral notes. On the other hand, English lavender has a hint more pepperiness - and tastes less like soap, in my opinion - which is why it is more common for culinary uses.
Jump to:
When used sparingly, lavender can add an appealing aromatic note to savory cooking, especially poultry and pork. If you've ever used the herb blend called Herbes de Provence, there's a good chance lavender was part of the mix. That's because its floral quality blends in well with woody and earthy herbs like rosemary, sage, and oregano, so that it doesn't stand out on its own. There's just a hint, and that's all you need.
To be honest, this recipe was created on a bit of a whim. When I went out to pick some of my fresh English lavender from the garden, I noticed the sage nearby and figured, why not? I chopped up some of both herbs, tossed them with grill seasoning, and really enjoyed the resulting flavor on the pork.
😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's fast. These thin boneless pork chops cook in under 10 minutes.
- It has a unique flavor profile. A hint of lavender is delicious and unexpected with pork.
- You can cook it outdoors on a grill or inside with a grill pan. Both methods work great.
I like to challenge myself to use homegrown herbs and flowers in unexpected ways. For instance, I've used mint to make a pesto for a pasta dish, lemon balm to make a simple syrup for lemonade, rosemary in a lemon cake, and chamomile to flavor sugar cookies.
🌿 Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make herb pork chops.
- Pork chops: I like using boneless pork chops about ½ inch thick because they cook incredibly fast. You can certainly use bone-in pork chops, but they'll take a bit longer to cook. For some reason, I've been seeing only boneless chops in the grocery stores lately, so that's what I tend to buy the most.
- Sage: A few sprigs of fresh sage is all you need.
- Lavender: Three or four sprigs of lavender should be all you need. If you don't have a plant of your own or can't easily find fresh, look for dried culinary lavender in specialty food stores that have a bulk spice section.
- Grill seasoning: Grill seasoning is typically a mix of black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, maybe some red pepper, and another ingredient or two. There are many blends, but you want something basic since we're adding herbs. You can also use steak seasoning, like this Chicago blend from Penzey's, or you can make your own grill seasoning. I don't recommend anything with a BBQ flavor for this recipe.
- Maple syrup: You'll need real maple syrup for the glaze. Bonus points if it's from Vermont. I prefer the darker grades of syrup as the flavor is more intense.
- Broth: The glaze requires a half cup of broth. You can use chicken or vegetable broth.
- Balsamic vinegar: You'll reduce vinegar with the maple syrup and broth to make a quick glaze while the pork chops cook.
Check out the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
🐔 Substitutions & Variations
- Chicken: Try this recipe with bone-in chicken thighs instead of pork chops. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Dried herbs: If you don't have fresh sage and lavender, you can also use dried. I find that they work nearly as well as fresh, and I don't say that about many dried herbs. Use about half as much dried as fresh for both the sage and lavender.
- Other herbs: Thyme and rosemary would work well instead of or in addition to the sage and lavender.
🔪 Instructions
How to make grilled pork chops with herbs.
- Step 1: Chop the sage and lavender.
- Step 2: Add the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and broth to a small pot. Add half of the herbs. Bring to a simmer and reduce by half until slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Combine the chopped herbs with the grill seasoning.
- Step 4: Brush both sides of the chops with the olive oil.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the grill seasoning and herb mixture over both sides of the chops.
- Step 6: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Add the pork chops when hot and cook for about 3 minutes per side.
- Step 7: Check the temperature to see if they're done. You want to aim for 145 degrees F.
- Step 8: Serve the grilled pork chops with the balsamic herb sauce poured over top.
✨ Helpful Tips
- The finer you can chop the herbs, the better they will stick to the pork.
- The pork chops will cook quickly. Try not to overcook them and check the temperature to make sure you're on track.
- Grill seasonings can vary in saltiness. If needed, sprinkle the cooked pork chops with a little salt before serving.
🍳 Equipment
Grill or grill pan: I've made this recipe with both a grill and a grill pan, and they both work well.
🥡 Storage
Store leftover pork chops in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to three days.
🙋🏻♂️ FAQ
There are many good herbs for pork chops. Think woody, earthy, and even floral. Sage, thyme, rosemary, lavender, and oregano are all good choices.
You can pan fry, bake, or grill thin pork chops. In this recipe, they are grilled and take only 3-4 minutes per side.
I like to make a quick glaze to pour over pork chops, which helps them from drying out. In this recipe, the glaze is made with maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and broth.
🥕 Pairing
Here are a few ideas for what to serve with these pork chops:
Print
📖 Recipe
Grilled Pork Chops with Herbs
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Grilled Pork Chops with Herbs are packed with summer flavor thanks to a mix of fresh sage, lavender, and peppery grill seasoning. A quick maple balsamic glaze adds a sweet, tangy finish that brings it all together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 sprigs of sage (about 3 tablespoons when chopped)
- 2-3 sprigs of lavender (about 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh buds)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon grill seasoning
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. Chop the sage and lavender.
- Make the balsamic glaze. Combine the maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and broth in a small saucepan with half of the herbs. Simmer for 5 minutes until reduced in half. Set aside.
- Prep the pork chops. In a bowl, combine the remaining herbs and grill seasoning. Brush the pork chops with olive oil on both sides and sprinkle with the herb seasoning.
- Cook the pork chops. Heat your grill with a medium flame or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Let the grill or pan get hot for a few minutes, then add the pork chops. Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes or until they reach 145 °F or 63°C when tested with a thermometer.
- Serve. Pour the balsamic sauce over top and serve.
Notes
The finer you can chop the herbs, the better they will stick to the pork.
The pork chops will cook quickly. Try not to overcook them and check the temperature to make sure you're on track.
Grill seasonings can vary in saltiness. If needed, sprinkle the cooked pork chops with a little salt before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
🥩 Related Recipes
Looking for more recipes like this one? Try these:
Steve says
These cook so quickly and have a great flavor. Not your typical boring pork chops.