Grilled Sriracha Pork Chops With Sesame Smashed Cucumbers

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Marinated pork chops with a kick of spice might be the perfect dinner option tonight. 

Honey Sriracha Pork Chops with Smashed Cucumbers
Photo: Caitlin Bensel
Hands On Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
4

It's hard to go wrong with a bone-in pork chop, but this spicy sesame-soy version takes the meat up a notch. The marinade delivers a big flavor and tenderizes the meat, so every bite is juicy and infused with umami.

The honey in the marinade is the key to getting a caramelized crust on the chop, which pairs perfectly with the vinegary cucumbers. To corral extra sauce in their textured nooks, smash the cucumbers lightly with the side of a chef's knife, allowing them to break into craggy chunks.

Ingredients

  • 1.50 tablespoons sriracha

  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari, divided

  • ¼ cup toasted sesame oil, divided

  • 5 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar, divided

  • 2 tablespoons honey, divided

  • 4 10-oz., 1-in.-thick bone-in pork chops

  • 6 Persian cucumbers, halved lengthwise and seeds scooped out

  • Neutral oil, for grill grates

  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Directions

  1. Whisk sriracha, 3 tablespoons each soy sauce and sesame oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 1½ tablespoons honey in a small bowl. Pour half of sriracha mixture into a storage container.

  2. Add pork and turn to coat. Let marinate in refrigerator for 15 minutes. Reserve remaining sriracha mixture for grilling.

  3. Meanwhile, place cucumber halves, cut side down, on a cutting board. Using your hands or the flat side of a large chef's knife, press down to lightly smash. Cut into 1½-inch pieces.

  4. Whisk remaining 1 tablespoon each soy sauce and sesame oil, 3 tablespoons vinegar, and ½ tablespoon honey in a large bowl; add cucumbers and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

  5. Preheat a gas grill to high (450°F to 500°F) and lightly oil grates. Remove pork from marinade; discard marinade.

  6. Grill pork, uncovered, turning occasionally, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 145°F, 12 to 15 minutes. During final 5 minutes of grilling, baste pork with reserved sriracha mixture.

  7. Drain and discard liquid from cucumber mixture; return cucumbers to bowl. Add sesame seeds and toss to combine. Serve with grilled pork.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

618 Calories
31g Fat
17g Carbs
63g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 618
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 31g 40%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 167mg 56%
Sodium 961mg 42%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 63g

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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