Our easy Traeger Smoked Pork Chops are coated in a delicious chili garlic rub and then slow-smoked on the pellet grill. These are not the dried-out chops of your past. Learn how to make sure your pork chops are the best they can possibly be, and some of our favorite rubs and seasonings.
Traeger Smoked Pork Chops
These Traeger Pork Chops are amazing! This meal is perfect for anything from a Saturday lunch or BBQ to a Sunday family dinner. Just let the Traeger do its thing. This meat is seasoned with a Chipotle Garlic rub, but you can use whatever your current favorite rub is.
Pork chops have had a bad rap for a while because the recommendation used to be to cook them to oblivion. That’s no longer the case, and pork can be safely eaten at 145°F according to the USDA. Many chefs take it a little further too, and pull it off at 135°F to rest to 140°F. It’s okay if the pork is a little pink in the middle, especially after a smoke.
More Easy Traeger Recipes here!
Traeger Smoked Pork Chops Shopping List
Not sure if you have all the ingredients you need? Here’s the list of ingredients! For the full recipe and amounts, make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Pork chops
- Oil
- Chipotle Garlic Rub
Try our Traeger Pulled Pork too!
How to make Smoked Pork Chops on the Traeger
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
1
Preheat
Preheat the smoker to 175°F.
2
Prep
Brush your chops lightly with oil and then coat liberally with the rub.
3
Smoke
Put the chops on the smoker and let them smoke for 45 minutes.
4
Sear
Remove the chops from the grill and turn the heat up as hot as it’ll go. 400-500°F is ideal.
Sear the chops for 2-3 minutes per side. Keep an eye on the internal temperatures and remove them when the chops reach 140°F. A wireless thermometer is great for monitoring temps.
Let them rest, tented, for 10-15 minutes before serving.
5
Enjoy
Slice and enjoy! These chops are great on their own or in a sandwich.
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Smoked Pork Chops FAQ
Can the inside of pork chops be pink?
Yup! It can be slightly pink in the middle and still be safe to eat.
A few years ago, the USDA said having a little pink in the middle is alright. I love a juicy boneless pork chop, so the end to the dry pork chop was something I really could get on board with.
Some people aren’t fans of pork chops because their only experience with them has been overcooked, dry pucks of well-done chops. Perhaps a bad experience in a battle between your teeth and the tough, dry meat.
Let this slow-cooked pork chop be the pork chop to change your mind. I have heard even the pickiest eaters praise this simple old fashion technique.
In the past, if your chops seemed too dry, it was because they were a lean cut. They tend to cook pretty quickly and are prone to overcooking. The instructions to cook these low and slow is the key.
Cooking these on the Traeger brings out an amazing BBQ flavor you can’t get without a live wood fire.
What is the best seasoning for pork chops?
For this particular recipe, I used Spiceology’s Chipotle Garlic Blend. It is INCREDIBLE, and I’d highly recommend ordering the big size cause you are going to want this on everything. You can find a link to that in the recipe card in my Recommended Products section.
If you don’t have Spiceology rub and want to make this now, you can use your favorite rub or mix up some of my homemade all-purpose bbq rub, which will be delicious.
What size pork chops should you buy?
You can buy whatever thickness of pork chop you prefer, but the thicker the chop, the longer it’ll need to get up to temp. I prefer 1-inch thick pork chops for smoking but have also had some incredible thick-cut bone-in pork chops.
Do you need to tenderize pork chops?
You do not need to, but you can. If you want them to be extra tender, try marinading them. Placing the pork chops in a zip-lock bag with something as easy as some olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce would do the trick.
What should I serve with easy smoked pork chops?
This Pickled Asparagus Recipe is one of the many things that would go great with these pork chops. Nothing makes a great homestyle dinner like your own canned pickled asparagus.
Traeger Apple Crisp is also to die for. Nothing shouts homestyle like apple crisp. This is such an easy recipe and is perfect spooned over some vanilla ice cream. This incredible Apple Dapple Cake from Syrup and Biscuits would also be a delicious option!
If you want something carby, definitely check out my Mushroom Risotto. It is easy and DELICIOUS with pork chops!
More Easy Traeger Recipes Here!
These easy Traeger recipes are suitable for any experience level, and are family-tested and approved!
Eat more pork! These recipes will have you enjoying pork chops all year long.
- Our easy Blackstone Pork Chops recipe is not only simple, but it is fast too! This is one of my go-to recipes for a quick dinner or easy protein-heavy lunch.
- Grilled Teriyaki Pork Chops are marinated and then cooked right on the pellet grill. If you don’t have one, you can use a charcoal or gas grill too!
- Make our Smoked Pork Tenderloin, but only if you love tender, juicy, incredible pork. Serve this with some mashed potatoes and a vegetable!
- These Grilled Marinated Pork Chops use our fresh, citrusy Pork Chop Marinade. People LOVE this one, and it is always a hit with the kids too!
- It doesn’t have to be Thanksgiving to enjoy stuffing. Make our Traeger Stuffed Pork Chops for a fun change-up to your regular pork chop recipe.
- We made the “prime rib of pork” and WHOA, was it worth it. Pick up a rack of pork and make our Grilled Rack of Pork soon!
- Pork tenderloin is one of our most-cooked cuts of pork, and this Grilled Pork Tenderloin recipe is simple, delicious, and never fails.
- Fire up your smoker and make our Traeger Smoked Pork Loin recipe! It uses the whole loin and turns out amazing every time!
- Marinate your next tenderloin in our spicy Korean marinade, and make this Smoked Gochujang Pork Tenderloin recipe. Perfect sliced and served over some steamed rice with your favorite banchan!
- Another spicy pork tenderloin recipe featuring the flavors of Korean, our Pellet Grill Spicy BBQ Pork Tenderloin is simple and tastes SO good! You’re going to want to keep these spices in your pantry always, after you try this!
- Our homemade Smoked Chinese BBQ Pork is like that bright red pork you get at the store, but minus all the artificial food coloring. All the flavor, none of the filler.
- This Traeger Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce is a mustard-lovers dream. I like having extra sauce for dipping. Super easy recipe, big on the flavor!
- We take cheese and spinach and stuff them inside a pork tenderloin before wrapping the whole thing in bacon and smoking it! Try our Smoked Stuffed Pork Tenderloin today, and thank me later!
More recipes to enjoy!
- Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
- Hanger Steak
- Fried Wontons
- Bolognese Sauce
- Poor Man’s Burnt Ends
- Tonkotsu Ramen
- Country-Style Pork Ribs
- London Broil
- Recipes using Smoked Chicken
- Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Smoked Prime Rib
- Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Traeger Smoked Pork Chops
These delicious smoked pork chops are heavily seasoned with a Chili Garlic blend, and then slow smoked on a wood-pellet grill. So tender.
Ingredients
- 6 center cut boneless pork chops
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 tablespoons Chipotle Garlic seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet grill according to factory instructions to 175-180 degrees.
- Brush the chops with oil and sprinkle liberally with the seasoning.
- Place on the grill grates and close the lid and smoke the chops for 45 minutes.
- Remove the chops from the grill, crank the heat up to high (it should get to 400°F-500°F ideally), and let preheat fully.
- Place the chops on the grill again and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. Removing once the chops reach 140°F.
- Let rest, tented, for 10 minutes before slicing.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 109mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 7g
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.
Elizabeth Rommel
Sunday 4th of February 2024
Hello, would I be able to use this recipe for bone in pork chops? Sounds delicious!
Nicole Johnson
Sunday 4th of February 2024
Yup! You sure can!
Scott
Wednesday 24th of May 2023
Is it safe to pull 1/2 cooked meat off the grill for 20 minutes?
Nicole Johnson
Wednesday 24th of May 2023
You can leave them on the grill while it preheats if you'd like, but you are much more likely to wind up with dry pork chops that way. They'll be more than 1/2 cooked at this point, too. If you are really concerned about it, smoke them until the internal temperature reaches 130, and then pull them and crank the heat for the last bit.
WendyB
Saturday 6th of May 2023
These boneless pork chops were tender and juicy, followed the recipe to a “T”, not disappointed! Thanks Nicole!
Nicole Johnson
Saturday 6th of May 2023
Amazing! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting us know, Wendy! <3
Stephanie
Thursday 14th of July 2022
my partner is a pork chop hater and I'm constantly trying to cook them in a way where he won't complain about them because they're so affordable! we made this last night and I finally won him over! so so good and not dry at all. ours did cook a bit faster than the recipe time but I think they were on the thin side and we had a meat thermometer in there so we could keep an eye on them. we will for sure be smoking pork chops regularly now!
Nicole Johnson
Thursday 14th of July 2022
That's awesome! I'm glad we could help win him over. Pork chops are delicious!
Tony Jae
Wednesday 24th of February 2021
I am left with leftover chops and I don't want them to lose their tenderness or juiciness. How should I store them? Sliced or leave whole?
Nicole Johnson
Thursday 25th of February 2021
I'd leave them whole, myself, and make some stir fry or pork fried rice out of them!