Five Spice Pork Chops Recipe

There’s a thrill in firing up the grill for these stellar Five Spice Pork Chops—envisioning the sizzle as they hit the heat, while the aromatic marinade, a fusion of soy, honey, and ginger, works its magic. Get ready to elevate dinner to a whole new level of deliciousness!

In the culinary journey of flavors, I adore the audacious combination of sweet and savory that five-spice powder offers. My five-spice pork chops pair the heady depth of soy and hoisin sauces with a touch of honey to make a strangely wonderful combination of flavors that truly sing out to your taste buds.

Quarters of thick, meaty chops are nearly always a cheap cut, and that makes this dish a low-budget eat—especially if you buy the sauces in bulk as I do (if you make just a few Asian dishes, they’ll be used up in no time). Nutritionally, they could hardly be better; pork is lean and high in protein, and the accompanying flavorings of ginger and garlic are good for you, too.

Then there are the enjoyably crunchy garnishes of scallions and sesame seeds; they could make a cardboard box taste great.

Five Spice Pork Chops Recipe Ingredients

• Soy Sauce: Adds umami flavor; low in calories; contains sodium.
• Hoisin Sauce: Sweet, salty; contains sugar; adds depth to marinades.
• Honey: Natural sweetener; high in antioxidants; balances savory ingredients.
• Rice Wine Vinegar: Mild acidity; enhances flavors; low in calories.
• Sesame Oil: Rich, nutty; healthy fats; boosts heart health.
• Garlic: Pungent antioxidant; supports immunity; anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Ginger: Warm spice; aids digestion; anti-nausea properties.
• Chinese Five-Spice Powder: Bold, aromatic; sweet and savory; includes cinnamon, cloves.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Spicy kick; optional heat; good source of antioxidants.

Five Spice Pork Chops Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped scallions for garnish
• Sesame seeds for garnish

How to Make this Five Spice Pork Chops Recipe

1. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil. Whisk together until the mixture is uniform and well incorporated.

2. Combine the minced garlic, grated ginger, Chinese five-spice powder, and red pepper flakes, if using, to form the marinade.

3. Put the pork chops in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them, making sure they are evenly coated.

4. Enclose the bag or dish in plastic wrap and, for best results, let sit in the refrigerator from 2 hours to overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat deeply.

5. Heat your grill or broiler to medium-high.

6. Take the pork chops out of the marinade, letting any extra liquid drip off, and throw away the marinade.

7. Lightly season both sides of the pork chops with salt and pepper.

8. Cook the pork chops on the grill or under the broiler for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and are evenly charred.

9. Move the pork chops that have been cooked to a plate, cover it loosely with aluminum foil, and allow the chops to rest in part because one must also allow the plate to cool. The resting time should be about 5 minutes, give or take.

10. Before serving, sprinkle the pork chops with chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy your flavorful Five Spice Pork Chops!

Five Spice Pork Chops Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Small bowl
2. Whisk
3. Grater (for ginger)
4. Knife (for garlic and scallions)
5. Shallow dish or resealable plastic bag
6. Plastic wrap
7. Grill or broiler
8. Meat thermometer
9. Tongs (for handling pork chops on grill/broiler)
10. Plate
11. Aluminum foil

FAQ

• Q: Can I use boneless pork chops instead of bone-in?A: Yes, you can use boneless pork chops, but ensure you adjust the cooking time as they tend to cook faster.
• Q: What can I substitute for hoisin sauce?A: When you can’t find hoisin sauce, make a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and sugar. It will work in a pinch and replicate the flavor pretty well.
• Q: Is the Chinese five-spice powder necessary?A: For an authentic taste, five-spice powder is essential. If you can’t find it, you can use this combination in its place: ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.
• Q: How long should I marinate the pork chops?A: The pork chops should be marinated for 30 minutes at the very least. However, for a more intense flavor, try to marinate them for 2-4 hours.”
• Q: Can I grill the pork chops instead of pan-frying?A: Totally! Smoky flavor is what you get from grilling. You just have to make sure that the meat is done all the way through to 145°F (63°C) inside.
• Q: What can I serve alongside these pork chops?Accompany with fresh salad, sautéed greens, or steamed rice; all these are good partners for the flavors of the pork chops. These flavors are quite strong, so I would suggest not heavily seasoning or saucing any of the accompaniments.
• Q: Are the red pepper flakes necessary?A: You can add heat with red pepper flakes, but they’re optional. Use a quantity that suits your spice preference.

Five Spice Pork Chops Recipe Substitutions and Variations

A gluten-free alternative to soy sauce is tamari.
When hoisin sauce isn’t on hand, you can create a replacement by blending soy sauce with a spoonful of peanut butter, a splash of vinegar, and some sugar.
Substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for honey to make a vegan version.
Use apple cider vinegar instead of rice wine vinegar if you’re looking for a fruitier flavor. With its mild acidity and fruity flavor, apple cider vinegar is a great substitute for rice wine vinegar.
If fresh ginger is not on hand, substitute it with 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.

Pro Tips

1. Maximize Flavor Absorption For even better flavor infusion, use a fork to lightly pierce the pork chops on both sides before marinating. This helps the marinade penetrate deeper into the meat.

2. Balancing the Marinade If you find the marinade too sweet or tangy for your taste, adjust by adding an extra teaspoon of soy sauce or a splash of extra rice wine vinegar to balance the flavors.

3. Grill Marks and Caramelization To achieve beautiful grill marks and a caramelized exterior, ensure your grill or broiler is preheated to medium-high before adding the pork chops. Resist the urge to move them around too much during cooking.

4. Resting Time and Juiciness Allow the pork chops to rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking. This resting period lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring juicy and tender chops.

5. Garnish Enhancement Toast the sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan before using them as a garnish. This step elevates their flavor and adds an aromatic crunch to the final dish.