Grilled Hawaiian Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops, center cut, about 3/4 inch thick each
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup soy sauce, regular strength
• 1 pineapple, cored peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dry thyme
• oil, for grilling
• fresh parsley, optional, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Use paper towels to dry excess moisture from pork chops. Poke holes throughout chops with a fork. Set aside.
2. In a very large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, onion powder, garlic, ground ginger, black pepper, and thyme. Whisk to combine well.
3. Place pork chops in bowl, taking care to ensure both sides of each chop are fully coated and immersed in marinade. Cover tightly and chill in fridge at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight for best flavor.
4. Grease and preheat your outdoor grill or indoor cast iron grill. Once grill is hot, remove chops from marinade, and grill on medium-high heat about 4 minutes per side, or until there are deep grill marks and center is no longer pink. You want it fully cooked but take care not to overcook the meat.
5. If using an outdoor grill, you can use marinade for brushing on the meat during the first couple minutes of cooking, but not towards the end of cooking time. Discard excess marinade.
6. Grill desired amount of pineapple rings until grill marks appear. Serve pineapple rings on top of grilled pork chops. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired.