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My Favorite Easy Traeger BBQ Pork Chops (That Stay Juicy)

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There is just something about grilling dinner at home that makes an ordinary weeknight feel a little slower, a little cozier, and honestly… a little more romantic.

Lately, I have been trying to make simple dinners feel special instead of always chasing complicated recipes, and these Traeger BBQ pork chops were one of those meals that reminded me how good simple can be.

They were juicy, flavorful, slightly sweet, smoky, and paired perfectly with steamed asparagus and garlic cheese mashed potatoes. My husband loved them too, which always makes a recipe worth repeating.

The uniqueness came down to two things:

Kinder’s Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce

and

Apple Traeger Pellets

That little apple flavor with pork is seriously underrated. It gives the pork such a rich, cozy flavor without being too heavy.

I also used apple pellets in the Traeger for that extra smoky-sweet flavor, and it made such a difference.

Sometimes the best dinners are not complicated at all., They are just simple ingredients done really well.

What I Used

For the Pork Chops

Marinade

  • Juice of 1/2 large lemon
  • 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3–4 tablespoons Kinder’s Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Mike’s Hot Honey
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • A little garlic (I personally do not like overwhelming pork with garlic, so I keep it light)

Seasoning After the Marinade

I did not add extra salt because the sauces and seasoning already bring plenty of salt on their own.

How I Made Them

First, I mixed together the lemon juice, olive oil, Kinder’s Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, Mike’s Hot Honey, oregano, thyme, and just a little garlic.

I let the pork chops marinate for about 30 minutes to an hour.

After that, I took them out and lightly patted them dry. This helps them get those better browned edges instead of steaming too much on the grill.

Once they were dry, I topped them with a little Badia All-Purpose Seasoning and black pepper.

I preheated the Traeger grill to 375 degrees and let it heat for about 15 minutes.

Once it was ready, I placed the pork chops on the grill and cooked them for about 5 minutes per side.

Since they were thin-cut, they cooked pretty quickly, so I mostly just eyeballed them and watched for those nice browned edges and grill marks.

If you like being extra precise, this is where a good meat thermometer helps.

For the last minute or two, I flipped them over and brushed a little more Kinder’s Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce on both sides and let that cook into the meat just enough to get sticky, glossy, and extra flavorful.

That final sauce step makes a huge difference.

I used my favorite grill tongs for flipping and saucing.

They came off perfectly juicy.

Exactly how pork chops should be.

What I Served With It

I paired these with:

  • Steamed asparagus
  • Garlic and cheese mashed potatoes

And it tasted like one of those dinners that feels way fancier than the effort it takes.

Those are my favorite kinds.

Wine Pairing Recommendation

If you really want to romanticize the whole dinner, add a glass of wine.

If you prefer white wine, I’d go with Josh Seaswept. It’s crisp, bright, and pairs perfectly with the lemon and apple notes in the pork chops.

If you are more of a red wine person, I’d choose Josh Cabernet Sauvignon because it gives that richer, cozy dinner feel and pairs beautifully with the smoky grilled flavor.

It makes the whole meal feel a little more intentional… and honestly, a little more special.

Final Thoughts

I think sometimes we overcomplicate dinner.

Some of the best meals are the simple ones. Good ingredients, a good sauce, and slowing down enough to actually enjoy it.

Open the windows.
Light a candle.
Plate your food nicely.
Pour a glass of wine.

And suddenly, a random weeknight feels a whole lot better.

That is my kind of recipe.

Ingredients

For the Pork Chops

Marinade

  • Juice of 1/2 large lemon
  • 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3–4 tablespoons Kinder’s Apple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Mike’s Hot Honey
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1–2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

Seasoning After Marinade

For Serving

  • Steamed asparagus
  • Garlic and cheese mashed potatoes

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, Mike’s Hot Honey, oregano, thyme, and garlic.
  2. Add the pork chops to the marinade and let them sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  3. Remove the pork chops from the marinade and lightly pat them dry with paper towels.
  4. Season both sides with Badia All-Purpose Seasoning and black pepper.
  5. Preheat your Traeger grill to 375°F and let it heat for about 15 minutes using apple pellets.
  6. Place the pork chops on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until nicely browned with good grill marks and cooked through.
  7. During the last 1–2 minutes, brush additional BBQ sauce on both sides and let it cook into the meat for that sticky, glossy finish.
  8. Remove from the grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
  9. Serve with steamed asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, and your favorite glass of wine.

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