Grilled pork chops are the perfect weekday dinner during the summer or spring. Or fall or winter, depending on where you live. Below, we’ll teach you how to grill pork chops for any occasion.

What makes pork chops so perfect? First of all, they’re delicious. And a great alternative to the more common grill meals like burgers, steaks or chicken. But more important, they’re super easy. Here’s just about everything you need to know:

1. The internal temperature of a finished pork chop should be 145-160 degrees It’s OK if the middle of it looks a little pink. That’s bad news for chicken, but when it comes to pork, a little pinkness isn’t a problem.
2. Cooking time should be around 8-10 minutes total – half of that on each side.

A great way to get a pork chop with a crispy outside and a juicy inside is to use a combination of direct and indirect heat. Just follow these steps:

1. Turn on one or half of the gas burners to the directed cooking temperature. For charcoal grills, bank hot coals on both sides of the fire grate, on one side of the grill or in a ring around the perimeter.
2. Place pork directly above the heat source for searing, flipping once.
3. Transfer pork to the side of the grill that is not directly over any coals or lit gas burners, and close the grill hood. Cook until the internal temperature of the pork chop is 145 degrees F.

Ready to get started? Try these delicious grilled pork recipes:

Cajun Pork Chops with Jalapeno Butter

Grilled Jerk Pork Chop, Aged Rum Glaze, Mango Relish

Grilling vs. Barbecuing. What’s the Difference?

1. Grilling is a method that uses direct or indirect heat on an electric, gas or charcoal grill.
2. Barbecuing is a slower method. It happens in an open pit or on a spit using coals, hardwoods, gas or electricity as a heat source. The same effect can be achieved using a grill by placing the pork on the rack away from the heat source. In barbecuing, the food is frequently basted with a tangy tomato- or vinegar-based sauce.

How to Grill Pork: Quick Tips

• To prevent the pork chops from sticking, make sure your grill racks are clean. Coat them with vegetable oil or a nonstick vegetable oil spray.
• Do not use sharp utensils that may pierce the meat when you try to turn it. Piercing can cause juices to escape – the juices that give your pork chop its juicy tenderness. Use other utensils, such as wooden spoons and spatulas, to turn the meat.

See more pork tips.