Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Chops

I know at first blush this is not a recipe that smacks of restraint.  Reduce it to its most basic element and you are talking about ….pork….wrapped….pork.

Don’t be a hater.  In fact, pork chops are an extremely lean cut of meat, and prosciutto isn’t all that fatty either, especially when it is sliced super thin, which is often how it’s sold.  But it does hold in the moisture of the quick-brined chops, add a salty-sweet-crisp exterior, and make this into a dinner that is just not another grilled pork chop.

Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Chops

Quick Brining Pork Chops

The other reason these pork chops are super moist is because they are brined. If bringing makes you think “ooh, no, that’s not for me” let me assure you it is absolutely for you.  All a brine requires is forethought.

The actual technique is as easy as putting salt and sugar into water and allowing it to dissolve, then putting whatever protein you are cooking into the liquid and letting it sit in the fridge for a certain length of time. That’s it.

Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Chops

How long depends on how thick your meat is—a large pork loin can brine for up to a day (longer might make it mushy), and pork chops like these can brine for up to a few hours, or as little as 45 minutes, and still benefit from the process.  For 45 minutes you can ever let them sit at room temp.

Serve these with any kind of salsa for a simple dinner that looks like you put in a whole lot more effort than you did.  I think this Pineapple Mint Jalapeno Salsa would be simply perfect.

Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Chops

What else to serve this with?  Glad you asked.

Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Chops

And can I tell you what else I’ve made with prosciutto lately?

Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Chops

Pork squared. The prosciutto wrapper crisps up beautifully on the grill, and the pork chops inside stay moist and tender.
Yield: 4 People
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Brining Time 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Quick Brine

  • ½ cup kosher or coarse salt
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorns
  • ½ cup boiling or very hot water
  • 3 cups very cold water
  • 4 1-inch thick pork chops about 1 ½ pounds total
  • 4 large very thin slices prosciutto
  • Olive oil for brushing the pork chops

Directions

  • In a medium sized container add the salt, sugar, and peppercorns.  Add 1/2 cup of boiling or very hot water, and stir until the salt and sugar are mostly dissolved.  Add another 3 cups of very cold water, maybe a few ice cubes.  Place the pork chops in the brine, and let them sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes.
  • Preheat a grill to medium high.
  • Remove the pork chops from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.  Wrap each pork chop with a piece of prosciutto, pressing so that the prosciutto seals itself.
  • Brush the pork chops with olive oil and grill for about 4 minute on each side until the just pink in the center, or cooked to an internal temperature of 140°F.
  • Let the chops sit for a minute or so before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 703mg | Potassium: 533mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition values are provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.

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Comments

  1. While I realize that the chops are brined and that prosciutto is salty, is there really 14,286 mg of sodium per serving?

    1. thank you so much for flagging this! that was an error – thew nutritional calculation program took account of all of the salt in the brine, and now it is adjusted to be more accurate. much less scary sodium-wise!

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