With only 6 ingredients, grilled pork caprese is the perfect summer pork chops recipe! Fresh basil and tomatoes lend tons of fresh flavor.
I don't know about you but I do NOT want to turn on the oven in the summer if I can avoid it. These Texas summers are no joke!
Needless to say, we've been embracing the grill around here lately and I'm loving it! With such a long grilling season where I live, I love experimenting with different cuts of meat and flavor profiles on the grill. After all, there are only so many burgers a person can eat!
If you've never grilled pork chops, I hope these pork chops caprese will convince you to add them to the rotation! Bonus – Pork Chops are at the top of my list for Best Cheap Protein Sources, so this is a good one to add to your budget friendly meal plan rotation.
With fresh basil, tomato and mozzarella, they're the perfect summer pork chops recipe!
They're also quite simple because I know you have better things to do in these fleeting summer months than spend the whole evening making dinner.
You'll start by preheating your grill to medium-high and seasoning your pork chops with salt and pepper. Next, you'll chop your tomatoes and basil. Toss them together with a bit of balsamic and olive oil. You'll then grill the pork chops for 4-6 minutes per side, until the internal temp reaches 145F.
Don't take them off the grill yet though! We've got one more important step that transforms these beauties into pretty much the best thing ever. While the pork chops are still on the grill, add a slice of mozzarella to each and close the grill while the cheese melts. Remove from the grill, top with tomato-basil relish and enjoy that summery goodness!
Caprese Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 thick cut pork chops
- 1 bunch basil
- 2 large tomatoes
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium high.
- Sprinkle pork chips w/ S&P.
- Chop 2 tomatoes.
- Chop 1 bunch basil & toss w/ chopped tomatoes, 2tsp balsamic & 1tsp olive oil.
- Place pork chops on the grill and cook ~4-6 mins per side or until cooked through, 145 F.
- Before removing chops from the grill add a slice of mozzarella, close grill and allow to melt, ~1min. Remove to a plate.
- Top pork chops w/ tomato relish.
What to Serve with this Summer Pork Chops Recipe
Want some ideas for what to serve with this summer pork chops recipe? I've got you covered!
I like to keep things simple in the summer. Produce is at its best, why not let that flavor shine through?
Here are a few of my favorite summer side dishes (plus a couple of desserts!), perfect to serve with caprese pork chops:
- Corn on the cob
- Fresh watermelon (Here's the best way to chop a watermelon!)
- Simple green salad with lemon herb vinaigrette or strawberry poppyseed vinaigrette
- Minted fruit salad
- Grilled peaches, or other fruit
- Watermelon, feta, arugula salad
- Tomato, cucumber & red onion salad
- Grilled zucchini
- Apple cider vinegar coleslaw
- Homemade fudgesicles
- Strawberry nice cream
Are these easy grilled pork chops good for meal prep?
Yes! These easy grilled pork chops are quite simple, so don't require much prep. Still, there is a bit you can do ahead of time to make dinner even easier!
I recommend chopping your tomatoes ahead of time. You can easily chop the basil and toss together the salad while the grill is heating up. And that's all there is to it!
I know this is just one small step for meal prep and you certainly don't have to do it ahead. I find that these little tasks really add up though. When I do what I can to prep ahead for the week's meals, my weeknights are so much calmer and dinnertime is much more enjoyable.
What's the nutrition like for this summer pork recipe?
This summer pork recipe is fresh, tasty and quite nutritious. A definite win-win! Full of protein and produce, here are some of the nutrients you'll find in this simple dinner:
Pork Chops (Selenium, Zinc, Iron)
In addition to providing plenty of high quality protein, pork chops are an excellent source of selenium, as well as zinc and iron. Keep in mind that pork chops are considered red meat, which the USDA recommends limiting.
Tomatoes (Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin K, Folate, Lycopene)
Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant, lycopene. Lycopene is believed to be the reason that tomatoes are linked to lower rates of certain types of cancers. Eating tomatoes along with a source of fat, like the olive oil and pork in this recipe, significantly increases how much lycopene your body absorbs.
Basil (Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Manganese)
A significant source of Vitamin K, basil may also reduce memory loss, blood pressure, and depression. Smelling basil also may help you feel more alert so consider growing some in a kitchen garden to smell whenever you need a boost!
Olive Oil (Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Monounsaturated Fats, Antioxidants)
Due to the type of fat it contains, olive oil may reduce inflammation. It also reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, stroke and heart disease. Make sure to get high quality extra virgin olive oil, as it retains more antioxidants and nutrients.
Balsamic Vinegar (Antioxidants, Probiotics)
Made from grape juice, balsamic vinegar contains antioxidants that may help lower cholesterol. It also contains probiotics that are good for healthy digestion.
I want more simple pork recipes!
I feel like pork tends to get overshadowed by beef and chicken but it really is delicious and quite easy to cook. The key is to use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. No one likes dry pork!
The below simple pork recipes are great ones to add to your repertoire this summer:
Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Slaw
My area of Texas is pretty well known for its delicious peaches and I love taking full advantage! This slaw is a great example of how you can incorporate summer fruit into savory dishes as well. And the pork couldn't be simpler. Make sure to check out the variations below the recipe for different marinade and spice mix ideas for your grilled pork chops.
One Skillet Cajun Pork Bites
This recipe originated from our low carb meal plans. It's creamy, savory and quick cooking – perfect for summer months! On nights you're not grilling, cutting meat into small pieces before cooking is a great way to minimize cooking time and avoid heating up the house.
Crock Pot Pulled Pork Two Ways
I love a good “cook once, eat twice” recipe! Basically, this means you cook one big batch of protein and enjoy it in two (or more!) different ways throughout the week. All of the convenience of batch cooking, without getting sick of leftovers.
My healthy crock pot pulled pork is a perfect example. You'll find one simple recipe for pulled pork, along with two totally different ways to use it: easy pulled pork sandwiches with slaw and pulled pork rice bowls.
Mushroom Pork Roulades
I know these pork roulades may look a bit fancy, but they're actually so simple! With only nine ingredients, this is the kind of dish that works just as well for a weeknight as a date night.
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