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    Home » Recipes » Mexican » Grilled Pork Chops Adobo + VIDEO

    Grilled Pork Chops Adobo + VIDEO

    Last Updated April 18, 2022. Originally Posted May 22, 2018 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Grilled Pork Chops Adobo (or in Spanish, “Chuletas Adobadas”) are full of lick-smacking flavor. Consider this recipe for your next backyard BBQ or family dinner. 
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Grilled Pork Chops in Adobo Sauce - Delicious and flavorful. Make this at your next backyard BBQ. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Grilled Pork Chops Adobo (or in Spanish, “Chuletas Adobadas”) are full of lick-smacking flavor. Consider this recipe for your next backyard BBQ or family dinner. It’s sure to please any crowd.

    Grill fork in grilled pork chop

    When you go to a Mexican restaurant, you might see a big, vertical spit with meat cooking. Thin slices of meat are cut (usually with a machete) to make Tacos Al Pastor. That spit is called a “trompo.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a trompo at home, or a machete…. at least not one I can admit to … (wink, wink). I can, however, recreate those amazing flavors as in these yummy Grilled Pork Chops Adobo.

    Charred onion and garlic cloves

    Tacos Al Pastor are usually made with a fatty cut of pork. However, I’m using lean pork chops with very little fat. Don’t worry. We will still get all the flavors with this lean cut of meat. It’s all in the sauce, boss… Start by charring up the onion and garlic.

    Mexican chiles rehydrating in water

    Rehydrate the ancho chile and guajillo chile. Add them to a blender.

    Pepper Oregano Cumin Bay Leaves and Salt

    This is salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, and bay leaves. They also go into the blender.

    Adobo sauce in a blender

    This adobo sauce is so good. The flavors are robust and slightly tangy.

    Marinating pork chops in adobo sauce

    In a large dish, add the adobo sauce. Individually add the pork chops to the dish. Make sure they are well covered with the sauce.

    Pork Chops Marinating in Adobo Sauce in a glass container

    You have to let the meat marinade for a minimum of 4 hours in the refrigerator. However, overnight is best. You really want the flavors to penetrate.

    Pork Chops Grilling on Grill Pan

    Cook the pork chops on the grill or a grill pan. It’ll make all the difference. The grill helps to develop that smokey flavor that Tacos Al Pastor have, and that’s exactly what makes this dish.

    Grilled Pork Chops with Jalapeno Slices

    Grill the pork chops for 4-5 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of your meat. You can also grill some pineapple or onion slices to go with your Grilled Pork Chops Adobo. If you like it saucy: Cook the marinate and top the cooked pork chops with the sauce. YUM! Hope you enjoy!

    Watch How to Make Grilled Pork Chops Adobo

    Grill fork in grilled pork chop

    Grilled Pork Chops Adobo (Chuletas Adobadas)

    Grilled Pork Chops Adobo (or in Spanish, “Chuletas Adobadas”) are full of lick-smacking flavor. Consider this recipe for your next backyard BBQ or family dinner. 
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 hours
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 6 hours
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 204kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 6 Guajillo Chiles deveined and seeds removed
    • 2 Ancho Chiles deveined and seeds removed
    • 5 garlic roasted
    • ¼ onion roasted
    • 1 Chile Chipotle in adobo sauce
    • 5 bay leaves
    • 1 teaspoon Pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon whole oregano
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 5 cloves
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon achiote paste
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • ¼ cup pineapple juice
    • 12 boneless pork chops

    Instructions

    • Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
    • Turn the heat off.
    • Add the guajillo chiles and ancho chiles to the sauce pan.
    • Cover with a lid.
    • Let sit for 5 minutes, or until chile is soft.
    • Meanwhile, char the garlic and onion.
    • (This will only take 1-2 minutes).
    • Watch carefully so as not to burn.
    • To a blender, add the garlic, onion, chipotle, bay leaves, pepper, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, apple cider vinegar, water, achiote paste, salt, pineapple juice, and reconstituted chile.
    • (Do not add the liquid from the reconsituted chiles).
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Pour the adobo sauce in a large container.
    • Cover each pork chop individually with adobo sauce.
    • (Make sure to add marinade to both sides).
    • Cover with plastic wrap.
    • Marinade in the refrigerator for 4 hours, preferably overnight.
    • Heat the grill.
    • Cook each pork chop for 4-5 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of your chop.
    • Optional: In a small saucepan, cook the marinade and pour over the cooked pork chop.

    Video

    Notes

    To make this dish faster, make the marinate ahead of time. 
    You can even freeze the marinate for up to 6 months in an airtight plastic bag. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 656mg | Potassium: 679mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2009IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Mexican, Pork, Recipes, Summer

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. DIVAH?

      June 18, 2019 at 6:10 pm

      Yummy!!! Excited to make this for my family. Thanks a Million!

      Reply
    2. Kim Seghers

      June 18, 2019 at 6:40 pm

      5 stars
      I’m not a huge fan of pork chops but, I would definitely eat these! They look so delicious!

      Reply
    3. Melissa Dixon

      June 19, 2019 at 5:28 am

      That looks so good and this recipe sounds like something I could whip up right away. I may have to add this to our weekly rotation because it just sounds so good. I need to make it right away!

      Reply
    4. emmy

      June 19, 2019 at 9:45 am

      This looks so good and flavorful! I’m hoping I can find these chiles at the grocery store because I’d love to make these this weekend!

      Reply
    5. safira

      June 19, 2019 at 11:01 am

      5 stars
      Yum I love adobo sauce. Looks delicious. Can’t wait to try

      Reply
    6. Wren

      June 19, 2019 at 12:23 pm

      That looks delicious! I will have to try it, thank you so much for sharing it with us!

      Reply
    7. Jasmine Hewitt

      June 19, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      i love a good grilled prok chop recipe. thanks for this!

      Reply
    8. Sondra Barker

      June 19, 2019 at 11:10 pm

      Oh my goodness, just reading this made me super hungry! This looks like an amazing dinner, and I would love to make it soon! -Sondra Barker @cuisineandtravel.com

      Reply
    9. Alexandra Cook

      June 20, 2019 at 5:41 am

      Wow that looks so delicious! I could eat the whole thing by myself lol will make this during the weekend and see how the kids enjoy it

      Reply
    10. Kalyan Panja

      June 20, 2019 at 9:22 am

      Thanks for sharing about this interesting recipe and such an attractive dish to cheer ourselves after so many pulls and pressures of the day.

      Reply
    11. Alexandra Pilo-Torrijos

      June 20, 2019 at 8:11 pm

      Our family loves when we make pork chops. This recipe sounds like something we’ll be adding to our menu

      Reply
    12. Fatima Torres

      June 20, 2019 at 8:14 pm

      5 stars
      Saving this to a Pinterest board to use for future family meals. Thanks for the idea to include some Adobe in there.

      Reply
    13. Marysa

      June 24, 2019 at 12:19 pm

      I haven’t cooked with adobo, but it sounds like this is an amazing dish. This would be a great summertime recipe for when we entertain.

      Reply
    14. natalie

      July 7, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      Love the look of this recipe. Will have to give it a try. x

      Reply
    15. Adele

      February 27, 2020 at 3:14 am

      5 stars
      I’m not familiar with these chilies or this sauce. It looks wonderful. Is this a very spicy dish? Is there a way to make it less spicy?

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 4, 2020 at 8:50 am

        It’s not spicy, but it is flavorful. You can make it spicy by adding sauce. To make it less spicy, add a tomato to the sauce, or add a tablespoon of ketchup for sweetness.

        Reply

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