How Long to Grill Pork Chops: Time, Temperature, and Juicy Results Every Time

Key Factors That Affect How Long to Grill Pork Chops

Before we talk exact minutes per side, it’s important to understand what really controls how long to grill pork chops:

• Thickness: A 1/2-inch pork chop grills much faster than a 1.5–2 inch thick pork chop. Most “how long to grill pork chops” questions are really about thickness.
• Bone-in vs boneless: Bone-in chops often take a little longer to cook than boneless pork chops because the bone slows down how heat travels through the meat.
• Grill temperature: What temperature you grill pork chops at (350°F vs 400–450°F) changes both the time and the crust you get.
• Direct vs indirect heat: Thin chops can handle direct heat; thick pork chops do better with a two-zone setup: sear over high heat, finish over indirect.
• Starting temperature: Chops straight from the fridge take longer than pork chops that have been sitting at room temp for 20–30 minutes.

All of this is why there isn’t a single answer to “how long does it take to grill pork chops?” Instead, you’ll use a combination of grill temp, thickness, and internal temperature to get perfect results every time.

Best Temperature to Grill Pork Chops

When you’re deciding what temperature to grill pork chops at, you’re balancing two goals: get good color and sear on the outside, and cook the inside to a safe but juicy finish.

• Best grill temp for pork chops: 375–425°F is a great range for most pork chop grill recipes. It’s hot enough to brown but not so hot that the outside burns before the inside is done.
• Internal temp for doneness: Most cooks aim to grill pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of about 140–145°F, then let them rest. During the rest, carryover cooking brings them to the final temp and keeps them juicy.

So when you ask “what temperature to grill pork chops?” think in two layers: grill surface temperature (around 400°F) and internal temperature (145°F with a rest). Time is your guideline, but temperature is your truth.

How Long to Grill Boneless Pork Chops

Boneless pork chops cook faster than bone-in and are popular for quick weeknight cooks. Here’s how long to grill boneless pork chops at about 400°F:

• 1/2-inch boneless pork chops: About 3–4 minutes per side over direct heat (total 6–8 minutes).
• 3/4-inch boneless pork chops: About 4–5 minutes per side (total 8–10 minutes).
• 1-inch boneless pork chops: About 5–7 minutes per side (total 10–14 minutes).

These times are starting points. The best way to grill boneless pork chops is to cook to internal temp, not just time. Use a reliable instant-read thermometer and pull them off the grill at 140–145°F, then rest for 5–10 minutes.

If you’re wondering specifically “how long to grill 1 inch pork chops” or “how long to grill 1-inch boneless pork chops,” in most cases 10–14 minutes total at 400°F (flipping halfway) will get you close—then you fine tune with your thermometer.

How Long to Grill Bone-In Pork Chops

Bone-in pork chops bring extra flavor and help protect the meat near the bone, but they do take slightly longer than boneless.

• 3/4-inch bone-in pork chops: About 5–6 minutes per side over medium-high direct heat.
• 1-inch bone-in pork chops: About 6–8 minutes per side (total 12–16 minutes).

If you’re asking “how long to grill bone-in pork chops on gas grill,” expect roughly 12–18 minutes total at 375–425°F, flipping once midway. Again, your goal is an internal temp of 140–145°F, not a specific minute mark.

For thin bone-in pork chops (around 1/2 inch), reduce the time to about 3–4 minutes per side. For thick bone-in pork chops (1.5–2 inches), use a combination of direct and indirect heat, which we’ll cover below.

How Long to Grill Thick Pork Chops (1 to 2 Inches)

Thick pork chops are where most people get nervous. They want to know how long to grill thick pork chops without drying them out. The answer is to use two-zone cooking: sear first, then finish over lower, indirect heat.

Here’s a good starting point for how long to grill thick pork chops on a gas grill or charcoal grill at around 375–400°F:

• How long to grill 1-inch thick pork chops: 4–5 minutes per side over direct heat to sear, then move to indirect heat for another 4–8 minutes, until internal temp hits 140–145°F.
• How long to grill 1.5 inch pork chops: 4–5 minutes per side to sear, then 8–12 minutes indirect, checking temp as you go.
• How long to grill 2 inch thick pork chops: 4–5 minutes per side for sear, then 10–15 minutes indirect. Treat them like mini pork steaks or pork roasts.

Anytime you’re asking “how long to grill a thick pork chop,” think in two stages: sear for color and flavor, then gently finish to temperature. Thick-cut pork chops are perfect candidates for gas grills, charcoal grills, and pellet grills using a reverse sear or two-zone technique.

How to Grill Pork Chops on a Gas Grill

If you want to know how to grill pork chops on a gas grill from start to finish, this step-by-step method works for most cuts—boneless or bone-in, 3/4–1 inch thick.

1. Preheat the grill: Set your gas grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Let it preheat for 10–15 minutes so the grates are hot.
2. Prep the pork chops: Pat them dry, season with your favorite BBQ rub or all-purpose seasoning, and let them sit at room temp for 20–30 minutes.
3. Oil the grates: Lightly oil the grates to help prevent sticking.
4. Grill over direct heat: Place pork chops over direct heat. For 1-inch pork chops, grill 5–7 minutes on the first side.
5. Flip and finish: Flip and grill another 5–7 minutes on the second side. If you’re wondering “how long do you grill pork chops on each side?” that 5–7 minute range at 400°F is a solid baseline for 1-inch chops.
6. Check internal temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the center of each chop. Pull them at 140–145°F.
7. Rest: Let pork chops rest 5–10 minutes off the grill before slicing or serving.

This same approach covers most “how long to cook pork chops on a gas grill” questions: preheat to around 400°F, grill 4–7 minutes per side depending on thickness, and rely on internal temp to make the final call.

How to Grill Pork Chops on Charcoal or Pellet Grills

If you’re cooking on charcoal or a pellet grill, the basics of how to grill pork chops stay the same, but the heat source and setup change the flavor and timing slightly.

How to Cook Pork Chops on a Charcoal Grill

For charcoal, the question “how long to charcoal grill pork chops?” depends heavily on how you set up your fire.

1. Set up two zones: Bank hot coals to one side for direct heat and leave the other side cooler for indirect cooking.
2. Sear over direct heat: Grill 1-inch chops over the hot side for about 4–5 minutes per side.
3. Finish over indirect: Move chops to the cooler side and cook another 4–8 minutes until they reach 140–145°F internally.

For thin pork chops (1/2 inch), you can stay over direct heat for 3–4 minutes per side. For thick bone-in pork chops, expect more time on the indirect side—up to 15 minutes total after searing.

How to Grill Pork Chops on a Pellet Grill

Pellet grills shine for consistent heat and gentle smoke. When people ask “how to grill pork chops on a pellet grill” or “what temp to grill pork chops on pellet grill,” this is a good starting point:

• Preheat to 375–400°F.
• Place pork chops directly on the grate.
• Grill 4–6 minutes per side for 3/4–1 inch chops, checking internal temp after 8–10 minutes total.
• For thick pork chops, use the lower end of the temp range (375°F) and plan on some extra time.

Pellet grills are excellent for cooking pork loin and pork tenderloin too—both benefit from steady, moderate heat and smoke.

Quick Time & Temp Reference for Grilling Pork Chops

Use this chart as a quick reference for how long to grill pork chops, then confirm doneness with an instant-read thermometer.

These numbers give you a starting point for “how many minutes to grill pork chops,” but the true answer to how long to grill pork chops is always “until they reach the right internal temperature.”

Pork Chop Grill Recipes and Flavor Ideas

Once you understand how long pork chops take to grill, you can plug that knowledge into all kinds of pork chop grill recipes without overcooking.

• Classic BBQ pork chops: Lightly oil the chops, use your favorite pork or all-purpose BBQ rub, and grill at 400°F using the timing guide above. Finish with a thin layer of BBQ sauce in the last few minutes.
• Garlic-herb pork loin chops: Use olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Grill 1-inch pork loin chops until they’re just done, then rest and serve with a squeeze of lemon.
• Smoky pork steak style: For thick bone-in chops or pork steaks, cook low and slow over indirect heat, then sear at the end like a reverse-seared steak.
• Grilled pork tenderloin: For those asking how to cook pork tenderloin on a grill, treat it like a long, thick chop: sear all sides over medium-high heat, then finish over indirect heat until 140–145°F inside.
• Butterflied pork chops: For butterflied chops, reduce the cook time (they’re thinner and cook faster) and keep a close eye—usually 3–5 minutes per side at 400°F.

All of these pork chop recipes for the grill rely on the same core idea: control grill temperature, know how long to grill each thickness, and pull the meat at the correct internal temperature.

Troubleshooting Dry or Underdone Pork Chops

If you’ve tried to grill pork chops before and ended up with dry, leathery meat or undercooked centers, use these tips to fix the problem:

• Dry pork chops: You probably cooked too hot, too long, or both. Lower the grill temp to around 375–400°F and shorten the cook time, focusing on internal temperature instead of the clock.
• Underdone near the bone: For bone-in pork chops, use a two-zone setup and give them extra time on the indirect side. Check temp close to—but not touching—the bone.
• Uneven cooking: If thin chops overcook by the time thicker ones are done, group similar thicknesses together and pull thinner pieces earlier.
• No rest time: Letting pork chops rest 5–10 minutes after grilling lets juices redistribute and carryover heat finish the cook.
• Guessing doneness: Relying on feel or time alone makes it hard to repeat results. Using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to grill pork chops perfectly every time.

FAQ: How Long to Grill Pork Chops

How long do you grill pork chops on each side?

For 1-inch pork chops at about 400°F, grill 5–7 minutes per side. Thinner chops (1/2 inch) need only 3–4 minutes per side, while thicker chops may need 4–5 minutes per side plus additional time over indirect heat. Always check internal temperature.

How long to grill 1 inch pork chops?

Most 1-inch pork chops take about 10–14 minutes total at 375–400°F: usually 5–7 minutes per side over direct heat. For very thick or bone-in chops, expect the upper end of that range and check for 140–145°F internal temp.

How long to grill 1.5 inch pork chops?

For 1.5 inch thick pork chops, sear 4–5 minutes per side over direct heat, then move to indirect heat for another 8–12 minutes. Total grill time is usually 16–22 minutes, depending on grill temperature and whether the chop is bone-in or boneless.

How long to grill pork chops on gas grill?

On a gas grill set to 375–400°F, most pork chops (3/4–1 inch) take 8–14 minutes total. Thin chops finish near the low end; thicker or bone-in chops need more time. The key is grilling pork chops to 140–145°F internal, not hitting a specific minute count.

What temp are pork chops done on grill?

Pork chops are generally considered done at an internal temperature of about 145°F, followed by a short rest. Many cooks pull them from the grill at 140–145°F knowing that carryover heat will finish the cook as they rest.

What temperature should I grill pork chops at?

A grill temperature of 375–425°F works well for most pork chop grill recipes. It gives you a good sear without burning the outside. For very thick chops, stay closer to 375°F and plan on more time using indirect heat.

How long do pork chops take to grill on charcoal?

On a charcoal grill with a hot and cool zone, 1-inch pork chops usually take about 10–16 minutes total: a 4–6 minute sear per side over direct heat and a few extra minutes over indirect until they reach 140–145°F inside.

Can you grill pork chops from frozen?

You can, but it’s much harder to control doneness and timing. It’s better to thaw pork chops first so you can follow the standard “how long to grill pork chops” guidelines and cook them evenly.

How long to grill boneless pork chops at 400?

At 400°F, most boneless pork chops that are 3/4–1 inch thick will take 8–14 minutes total. Start with 4–6 minutes per side and adjust based on internal temperature.

How long should pork chops grill before flipping?

For 1-inch chops at 375–400°F, leave them on the first side for about 5–7 minutes before flipping. If they’re thinner, flip sooner. If they’re thicker and you’re getting good color without burning, you can stay closer to the higher end of that range.