Best Tea Spiced Pork Chops Recipes

SWEET TEA-BRINED PORK CHOPS WITH PEPPER RELISH

Steps:

• Make the brine: Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Turn off the heat, add the tea bags and let steep 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup salt, the bay leaves and coriander seeds. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the sugar and salt are dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour into a large heatproof pitcher (reserve the pot) and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate the brine until very cold, at least 1 hour. Pour the brine into the reserved pot and add the pork chops. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• Meanwhile, make the pepper relish: Put the bell peppers, onion and chiles in a food processor and pulse 2 or 3 times until slightly broken down but not pureed. Transfer to a small saucepan and add the vinegar, preserves, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until slightly reduced but still juicy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. (You can make the relish up to 1 day ahead.)
• Preheat a grill to medium. Oil the grill grates. Remove the pork chops from the brine and pat dry. Season the chops with salt and pepper. Grill, covered, until well-marked, 14 to 16 minutes (rotate the chops 90 degrees if they get too dark). Flip the chops and cook, covered, until well-marked on the other side and a thermometer inserted sideways into the center registers 145 degrees F, 14 to 16 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest about 10 minutes. Serve with the relish.

SWEET TEA-MARINATED PORK CHOP SANDWICH

Steps:

• Working one at a time, put the pork chops between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet to a 1/4 inch thickness. Combine the pork chops and sweet tea in a container, cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Pour enough oil into a large, heavy skillet to come 1 inch up the sides (or use a deep fryer). Heat the oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 325 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, combine the flour, pepper, seasoning salt and garlic in a shallow bowl or plate and mix to blend well. Pour the milk into a shallow bowl. Remove the pork chops from the tea; discard the tea. Dip the pork in the milk, then dredge in the seasoned flour to coat thoroughly. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• Place the pork chops on the heels of the hamburger buns and top each with tomato, onion and lettuce. Cover with the top half of the buns and serve with the desired condiments.

SPICED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first 10 ingredients. Add pork chops, a few at a time; seal bag and toss to coat. , In a large skillet, brown chops in oil on both sides. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, water and brown sugar; pour over chops. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until a thermometer reads 145°. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

SPICED BUTTER-BASTED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Pat the pork dry and season all over with the sugar and 1 teaspoon salt. In a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet, heat the oil over medium. Add the pork chops, cover with a lid or baking sheet, and cook until browned on the outside and the internal temperature is between 110 and 120 degrees, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Reduce the heat if burning or sizzling wildly.
• Using tongs, stack both chops on top of one another, then grab both chops together and hold upright to sear the fat caps until crisp, about 1 minute. Lay the chops back down in one layer and add the butter, paprika and fennel seeds. Season the butter with salt and pepper. Tilt the skillet and baste the pork by spooning the melting butter and drippings over the pork until the internal temperature registers 130 degrees, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
• Transfer the pork chops to a lipped plate and pour the butter over top. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving with a spoonful of the butter.