Adobo Pork Chops are thick, spicy, and succulent. The rub that we use adds a lovely tangy flavor to the meat. The meat eagerly soak up the Mexican flavor of the adobo and lime rub. The grilled chops are full of flavor and the aroma will make your mouth water. We'll show you how to grill pork chops so that they are the tastiest ones you've ever eaten.
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The Inspiration
Inspiration for Adobo Pork Chops came from an unusual source and at an odd time. I was sitting on a bench, at Saint Simons Island Pier, watching my Honey fish, when I heard someone say in a whispery voice, "Reeeeeeeeed Chickn."
I turned and saw that it was Herb, one of the usuals that frequent the pier. Now, Herb, I must say, is quite a character. He seems to have been just about everywhere and tried just about everything including a stint as a chef. He and I always discussed food and recipes.
"Red Chicken?" I wasn't even sure that was exactly what he'd said.
" Yes! Reeeeeeeeed Chickn! he said enthusiastically. Just get the recipe and put it on your blog. You'll see, your readers will love it."
"But I've never heard of red chicken. Just exactly what's in it? And where did you hear about it, Herb? I just can't see anyone getting excited about eating a chicken that's red in color."
"Trust me," said Herb, smiling confidently. "You know how to use the Internet, don't you? Just get the recipe and make it. The people around Texas and the South go nuts over reeeeeeeeed chickn"
Searching for the recipe
Once we got back home I looked up red chicken and found several references to it. I printed out one recipe that sounded kind of interesting. So, we proceeded to make Red Chicken.
Perhaps it was the recipe itself but we found it so-so. Not something we'd go nuts over! Certainly not "blogworthy" as my Honey would term it.
Then, one day as I was reading a post from Eat the Love. I realized that I could very well be reading the recipe for the tasty red chicken recipe that Herb had insisted we make.
Grilled Mexican Pork Chops
Irwin Lin, the author, had posted a recipe for Meyer LemonAdobo Rubbed Roasted Chicken, a variation, I figured, of the grilled red chicken. The chicken had a beautiful red tinge to it.
Now here is where it really gets interesting. As his inspiration, Irwin had used a recipe from a June 2007 Gourmet Magazine titled "Grilled Giant Pork Chops with Adobo Paste."
As it turns out, I was working backwards.
Now it just so happened we had pork chops thawing out in the fridge! We planned on making them that evening.
- Call it a coincidence
- Call it a fluke
- Call it a chance
I believe we were meant to find that delicious adobo pork recipe and use it to make our --
Grilled Lime Adobo Rubbed Pork Chops.
The ingredients
- bone-in loin pork chops
- olive oil
- smoked paprika
- oregano,
- fresh garlic
- cumin
- hot red-pepper flakes
- fresh lime zest
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Putting it together
For the Mexican pork chops, we decided to stick with lime zest as part of the paste.
The adobo pork gets its red color comes from the paprika used in the recipe. But instead of using plain paprika, we decided to the flavor it up a notch by using smoked paprika instead.
The hot pepper flakes in the paste give the rub a nice kick. You can always adjust the heat index to your likes and use a few fewer flakes.
The rub recipe makes quite a bit so you can store the extra in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for a couple of weeks.
It's excellent not only on grilled pork but also chicken and beef. So, next time instead of making Grilled Lime Mexican Pork Chops, try it on grilled or roast chicken.
And if you're ever on Saint Simons Island Pier, Georgia, for Herb. Everyone knows him. And if you do get to meet him just say, "Reeeeeeeeed Chickn." He'll figure out who told you.????
Here are more grilling recipes you may enjoy
Grilled Pork Kebabs - Spiedini di Maiale
Grilled Chipotle Maple Glazed Pork Chops
Grilled Pork Chops and Roasted Potatoes
If you like grilled pork chops, you'll love these recipes. Let us know which one you like the best.
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
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We use smoked paprika a lot! Not only do we add it to a lot of recipes, we also like to sprinkle it on top to give the dish additional color. Try Gourmet Smoked Paprika by Its Delish, 8 Oz. Medium Jar smoked paprika and see if it doesn't give your dishes additional pizzaz!!
Grilled Lime Adobo Rubbed Pork Chops
This adobo pork chops recipe is one that will become a favorite. Guarantee!! The lime adobo rub is very versatile and you can use it on any meat you like. The rub makes more than what you need for two large chops. Save it then how about making some reeeeeed chickn? ????
And if you love that Tex-Mex flavor, try our Southwest Spice Blend on your grilled meats and vegetables. You won't want to use anything else!
If you like this recipe please consider giving it a 5-star rating. This helps others to decide whether to try the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Grilled Lime Adobo Rubbed Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 ½ tablespoons dried oregano crumbles
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried hot red-pepper flakes
- 1 ½ teaspoons finely grated fresh lime zest
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 1 ½-inch-thick bone-in loin pork chops (about ¾ pound each) ***
- a disposable aluminum pan around 17X12X3 for covering chops midway through grilling
- and instant read thermometer
Instructions
- Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking with medium-hot charcoal placing the charcoal on one side of the grill.
- Stir together all ingredients except pork chops in a bowl to form spice paste, then rub paste all over pork chops.
- Cover pork chops with plastic wrap and allow them to marinate, covered and chilled for two hours. 20 minutes before grilling take chops out of the refrigerator.
- Light the grill and once it is ready oil the grill rack. Grill the chops over coals, turning over occasionally and moving them around if flare-ups occur, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes total.
- Move chops to area with no coals underneath then cover with inverted roasting pan and grill, turning chops over once, until thermometer inserted horizontally into center of a chop (do not touch bone) registers 145F, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a platter and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- *** rub will make enough for 4 chops
- Pork can be grilled on a gas grill. Preheat all burners on high covered, 10 minutes. Reduce heat to moderately high and brown chops, covered, turning over occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off 1 burner (middle one if there are 3) and put chops above shut-off burner, then grill, covered, without turning, until thermometer registers 145F, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Pork Chops, rubbed with spice paste, can marinate covered up to 4 hours before grilling.
- Spice paste keeps, covered and chilled, up to a week in refrigerator and frozen for several weeks.
- Adapted from Gourmet Magazine's "Grilled Giant Pork Chops with Adobo Paste"
Nutrition
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