Island-Inspired Grilled Pork Chops
Island-Inspired Grilled Pork Chops balance smoky, char-kissed meat with a bright, fruity kick. A topping of pineapple, mango, and applesauce brings sweet heat with jalapeño, chili, and cardamom, while soy and vinegar add tangy depth. Serve for a summer dinner or backyard cookout when you want bold flavors and a fresh finish.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook45 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Island-Inspired Grilled Pork Chops, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactPoor
- 28 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 3 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 91 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 21
- Heart Health
- 55
- Metabolic
- 21
- Digestive
- 28
- Inflammatory
- 55
- Performance
- 37
- General Wellness
- 1
Using a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic, chili powder, cayenne, and cardamom seeds together. Add enough water to make a paste.
- 2
Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the spice paste and cook until it starts to bubble, about 30 seconds. Stir in the vinegar and cook for 2 minutes without boiling. Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves. Stir in the mango, salt, cilantro, lemon juice, and jalapeno; simmer for 20 minutes. Add the applesauce and pineapple; simmer for 10 minutes more. Season with white pepper. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until needed.
- 3
For the marinade, combine 2/3 cup of the salsa with soy sauce and 1/3 cup vinegar. Put the pork chops in a large resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal tightly and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- 4
Get the grill ready for medium-high heat. Drain the marinade from the bag and bring it to a boil in a saucepan.
- 5
Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the pork chops on the hot grill. Cook for 10 minutes, or to desired doneness, turning once and basting occasionally with the boiled marinade.
- 6
Warm the remaining salsa over medium-low heat. Serve the pork chops topped with the salsa.
- Calories 379.65 kcal Moderate 19%
- Protein 32.54 g Good Source 65%
- Carbohydrate 52.92 g 19%
- Total Fat 6.3 g Moderate 8%
- Saturated Fat 2.2 g Moderate 11%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 61.24 mg High 20%
- Sodium 2834.98 mg High 123%
- Dietary Fiber 2.13 g Low Source 8%
- Total Sugars 38.55 g --
- Added Sugars 0.04 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 34.16 mg Low Source 3%
- Iron 2.68 mg Moderate 15%
- Potassium 125.08 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin A 23.64 mcg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin C 24.63 mg Good Source 27%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Soy 🌱
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Island Inspired Grilled Pork Chops is made with 18 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 1 hr and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, Fresh Cilantro, and Garlic. Each serving provides about 379.65 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Island-Inspired Grilled Pork Chops made of?
- The main ingredients are Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, Fresh Cilantro, Garlic, Jalapeño Pepper. The full list of 18 is above.
- How long does it take to make Island-Inspired Grilled Pork Chops?
- About 1 hr in total: 15 mins to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 379.65 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Island-Inspired Grilled Pork Chops easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 18 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Island-Inspired Grilled Pork Chops healthy?
- Island-Inspired Grilled Pork Chops has an easyChef Pro health score of 38/100. Per serving, it provides 379.65 calories and 32.54 g of protein, or 65% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 2834.98 mg (123% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 2.2 g (11% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Soy and Garlic, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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