Mexican Chile Pork Chops

  4.8 – 5 reviews  • Pork
Level: Easy
Total: 2 hr 10 min
Active: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Level: Easy
Total: 2 hr 10 min
Active: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  1. 1/4 cup light agave
  2. 2 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
  3. 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  4. 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  5. 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  6. 4 sprigs fresh oregano
  7. 3 dried ancho chiles, stemmed, broken and some seeds removed
  8. 3 dried ancho chiles, stemmed, broken and some seeds removed
  9. 3 dried chipotle chiles, stemmed, broken and some seeds removed
  10. 3 dried chipotle chiles, stemmed, broken and some seeds removed
  11. 3 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed, broken and some seeds removed
  12. 3 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed, broken and some seeds removed
  13. One 12-ounce bottle Mexican beer
  14. 1 lime, quartered
  15. 2 cups ice cubes
  16. 4 double-cut, bone-in pork loin chops (each about 1 1/2-inches thick)
  17. 2 tablespoons canola oil, plus more for greasing
  18. 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  19. 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  20. 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  21. 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  22. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  23. Grilled Green Chile Sauce, recipe follows
  24. Pico de Gallo, recipe follows
  25. 4 hatch chiles
  26. 2 Anaheim chiles
  27. 2 jalapenos
  28. 2 poblano chiles
  29. 1 medium sweet onion, halved
  30. 1/2 bunch scallions, trimmed
  31. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  32. 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  33. 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  34. 1 clove garlic, minced
  35. Juice and zest of 1 lime
  36. Juice and zest of 1 lime
  37. 1/2 bunch cilantro, rinsed
  38. 2 cups diced Roma tomatoes
  39. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  40. 2 tablespoons seeded, stemmed and minced jalapenos
  41. 1 tablespoon fresh celery juice
  42. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  43. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  44. 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  45. 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  46. 1/2 sweet onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan set over high heat, add 1 cup water, the agave, 2 tablespoons salt, the cumin, cracked black pepper, garlic, oregano, 2 of the anchos, 1 of the chipotles, 2 of the guajillos, the beer and limes. Cook, stirring, until the salt dissolves. Remove from the heat, add the ice, and stir until cool. Pour the brine into a large, resealable plastic bag and add the pork chops. Seal the bag and refrigerate for up to 1 hour.
  2. Preheat the grill to high heat and wipe the grates down carefully with some oiled paper towels to clean and create a nonstick surface.
  3. In a dry skillet set over medium-high heat add the remaining 1 ancho, 2 chipotles and 1 guajillo chile. Cook the chiles until fragrant and lightly charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Place the chiles in a spice grinder and grind to a fine powder. In a small bowl, add the chile powder, cumin, granulated garlic, sugar, paprika, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon salt, the mustard and ground black pepper. Mix to combine, and set aside.
  4. Remove the pork chops from the brine, then pat dry and brush with the canola oil. Coat evenly all over with the spice rub. Grill the pork chops for 2 1/2 minutes. Rotate the chops 90 degrees and cook another 2 1/2 minutes to create crosshatch sear marks. Flip the chops over and repeat the same process on the second side. Move the chops to an area of the grill with medium heat and continue cooking until cooked through and an internal thermometer inserted in the chops reads 145 degrees F for medium doneness, 7 to 8 minutes. Rest the chops for 5 to 7 minutes for the juices to redistribute.
  5. Serve the pork chops with the Grilled Green Chile Sauce spooned over the top and garnish with Pico De Gallo.
  6. In a large bowl, add the hatch chiles, Anaheim chiles, jalapenos, poblanos, onions and scallions. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of the salt, and mix to coat. Grill the chiles, onions and scallions until charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set the scallions and onions aside; place the chiles in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and steam for 6 to 8 minutes. Once the chiles cool, carefully scrape away and discard the charred skin, then remove the stems and seeds, and roughly chop. In the bowl of a food processor, add the chiles, onions, scallions, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, the vinegar, garlic, lime juice, zest and cilantro. Process until smooth and bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in a bowl, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  7. In a small bowl add the tomatoes, lemon juice, jalapenos, celery juice, cilantro, oil, salt, garlic and onions. Mix to combine, then cover and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the excess liquid before serving.

Reviews

Frank Massey
There is a pork steak at a restaurant called Mexican Sugar that is flavorful and juicy. I wanted to make it myself and this recipe is close enough. Delicious with a thick pork steak cut.
Corey Johnson
Yummy
Shelly Davis
Amazing!! If you are going to really do the whole thing though it’s about a 3 hr process
Amy Ford
We made it and thought it was Awesome!

 

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