Pork Rib End Chops with BBQ Sauce

We’re kicking off BBQ season with a batch of Pork Rib End Chops topped with our homemade Turmeric and Raisin BBQ Sauce. Today’s chops offer that classic barbecue blend of sweet and savory, with just a hint of char, and plenty of meaty goodness. Whether grilled stovetop or over the open flame of the barbecue, today’s recipe is sure to become your next grilling go-to.

However, what I really love about this recipe is its simplicity and versatility. Not only is the homemade BBQ sauce a breeze to whip up (taking just minutes!) but it’s all done with just a handful of simple pantry staples. Best of all, this sauce works great not only on pork chops but also on steaks and fatty fish. So, whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, preparing a cozy weeknight dinner, or simply craving a hearty meal, this recipe delivers both taste and blissful convenience.

That said, the BBQ sauce itself is easily the star of the show, in part because of its adaptability. While we've provided a delicious base recipe, feel free to get creative. Whether you prefer a spicy kick, a touch of sweetness, or garlicky goodness, there are endless possibilities to explore. Plus, the leftover sauce keeps and can be used on everything from fish to eggs to steak. See below for tips on getting creative with this sauce.

Now, with the introductions out of the way, let’s fire up our grills and get cooking because we’ve got a lot to cover. Read on for a complete ingredient checklist, a printable recipe card, and tips for making the BBQ sauce your own!

Recipe Overview – What to Expect

All right, so you’ve made it this far, that likely means you’re interested, but still have a few questions. If you’re wondering what can you expect from this recipe in terms of taste and texture, the prep process, or the difficulty, then read on for the answers to those questions and more.

Here's what you can expect from today’s recipe:

1. Taste and Texture: The BBQ sauce features a sweet and savory flavor profile, and is pleasantly thick and rich. The raisins add a touch of sweetness and depth to the sauce, while the turmeric lends a nice earthy warmth. This blends deliciously with the pork chops, especially when grilled.
2. Preparation Process: The BBQ sauce couldn’t be simpler to make, as all you’re doing is blending the ingredients together. It takes mere minutes. From there, we brush the sauce onto the chops and let them marinate. After that, it’s all a matter of frying the pork chops in a cast iron pan or grilling them on the barbecue.
3. Pairings: These pork chops pair well with all the classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or cornbread. Lighter options include leafy green salads or grilled veggies.
4. Difficulty Level: This recipe is fairly simple to prepare, and is suitable for both beginner and experienced home cooks alike. The cooking process is straightforward and takes very little time. All in all, with just a few basic ingredients and some patience, you can whip up these delicious pork chops.

Ingredient Checklist – Everything You’ll Need

We’re using only simple, easy-to-find ingredients. With that in mind, here’s everything you’ll need:

• Pork Rib End Chops (6 chops, about 1/2 inch thickness):
  • Notes: Look for chops with decent marbling, as this will add both flavor and juiciness.
  • Tips: Room temperature chops cook best. That means starting the pan-searing process with the chops at room temperature. This helps to ensure ensure even cooking. Also, be sure to start with a hot pan. You want the chops to sizzle the instant they touch the hot skillet or griddle to achieve a good sear.

For the BBQ Sauce:

• 1/2 cup of ketchup:
  • Notes: Nothing fancy, so use your preferred brand of ketchup.
  • Tips: I do recommend opting for a quality ketchup with natural ingredients, preferably one that’s on the thicker side.
  • Substitution: Try experimenting with thick BBQ sauces if you want to fancy things up a little.
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar:
  • Notes: We’re using vinegar for the purpose of adding acidity to the marinade. The acidity helps to tenderize the meat, as well as add a bit of tang to the sauce.
  • Substitution: Your preferred vinegar will substitute just fine, though I would probably recommend white wine vinegar or rice vinegar.
• 2 tbs. raisins:
  • Notes: I find that raisins add a bit of texture and depth to the sauce.
  • Substitutions: Dried chopped cherries, apricots, or cranberries. Really, pick your favorite dried fruit and see if you like it in the marinade.
• 1 tsp. coarse ground black pepper:
  • Notes: In this recipe, the black pepper is being used primarily for aromatics. I do recommend using pre-ground for maximal aromatic goodness.
  • Tips: Feel free to adjust the amount of pepper based on your preference.
• 1 tsp. turmeric:
  • Notes: Turmeric adds a warm and earthy flavor to the sauce, as well as depth of color.
  • Tips: Do be careful here, as turmeric can become very bitter if used in excess.
• 2 tsp. soy sauce:
  • Notes: For umami flavor and depth.
  • Tips: Yes, you can use low-sodium soy sauce if preferred.
• 1 tsp. sesame oil:
  • Notes: For a nice nutty aroma and flavor, as well as added fat.
  • Tips: I do suggest using toasted sesame oil in this particular recipe.

Sauce Variations – Getting Creative

Let’s be honest, the star of the show here is the BBQ Sauce. While the possibilities are limited only by your own imagination, here are my eight favorites.

1. Spice It Up:
   • Bringing the heat is as simple as adding a few teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce or chili flakes for a spicy kick.
   • You could also include a dash of cayenne pepper or hot paprika (or both!).
   • Conversely, you could chop up chilies and blend those into the BBQ sauce.
2. Sweet and Tangy:
   • Increase the amount of raisins or substitute them with brown sugar or honey for a sweeter sauce.
   • Add about two tablespoons of molasses for a deeper sweetness and richness. Do note that molasses will make the sauce a good bit thicker.
3. Garlicky Goodness:
   • Making a garlic-forward BBQ sauce is as simple as adding in two to three cloves of minced fresh garlic.
   • You could of course sauté the minced garlic in olive oil before adding it to the sauce.
   • In either case, I do suggest mincing the garlic as finely as you can manage to keep the sauce smooth and to more evenly distribute the garlic flavor.
4. Asian-Inspired Flare:
   • Substitute all or part of the soy sauce with teriyaki sauce or hoisin sauce. This will provide a sweeter and more complex flavor profile.
   • You can also add in fresh grated ginger.
5. Smoky Paradise:
   • A few teaspoons of liquid smoke would do wonders to add in a flavor reminiscent of outdoor grilling if you want the flavor of the open flame without having to fire up the barbecue.
   • Conversely, you could also use smoked paprika or chipotle powder for added smokiness.
6. Herb Lovers:
   • If you want a medley of herbal goodness, consider adding in some combination of thyme, oregano, or rosemary. The amounts are purely preference.
   • You can also use fresh herbs like chopped parsley, oregano, cilantro, or basil.
   • As always, I caution that fresh oregano can become ‘very’ overpowering in most recipes if not balanced properly, and today’s sauce is no different in that regard. So do use it sparingly if you opt for fresh over dried.
7. Fruit Forward:
   • Incorporate fruit preserves or jams such as apricot, peach, or pineapple for a fruity sweetness.
   • Add a splash of orange juice or pineapple juice for citrusy brightness.
8. Mustard Mashup:
   • Replace some or all of the ketchup with yellow mustard or Dijon mustard for a tangy and slightly spicy sauce.
   • In this instance, I would recommend including a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for added depth of flavor, and to balance out the mustard.

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And those are our rib-end pork chops with homemade BBQ sauce. If you enjoyed today’s recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you!

Happy Grilling!