Buttermilk Pork Chops with Corn Relish
- Level: Intermediate
- Total: 4 hr 45 min
- Prep: 25 min
- Inactive: 4 hr
- Cook: 20 min
- Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
2 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
6 cloves garlic, smashed
6 bay leaves
2 teaspoons hot sauce
12 black peppercorns
1 lemon
6 bone-in center-cut pork loin chops (1 inch thick; about 3 pounds total)
Vegetable oil, for brushing
6 ears of corn, husked
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
- Make the brine: Combine the buttermilk, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons salt, the garlic, bay leaves, hot sauce and peppercorns in a large bowl. Remove 4 wide strips of lemon zest with a vegetable peeler and add to the brine; squeeze in the juice of half of the lemon. Pierce both sides of the pork chops a few times with a paring knife. Add the pork to the brine, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove the pork chops from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling. Preheat a grill to medium high and lightly brush the grates with vegetable oil. Remove the pork from the brine, letting the excess drip off, and transfer to the grill. Cover and cook until marked, about 7 minutes. Flip and continue cooking, uncovered, until the other side is marked, about 7 more minutes.
- Meanwhile, rub the corn with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt. Wrap each ear in foil and place on the grill. Grill, turning occasionally, until charred, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the pork from the grill; let rest 5 minutes. Cut the corn kernels from the cobs. Combine the corn, the juice of the remaining 1/2 lemon, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the parsley and chives in a bowl and toss; season with salt. Serve with the pork chops.
Cook’s Note
All pork chops come from the loin, but those labeled "loin chops" are from the center. They have a T-bone shape and are great for grilling-the bone helps keep the meat from drying out.
