Hello, flavor enthusiasts! Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary journey with these incredibly succulent pork chops. Each chop is generously coated in a masterful sweet and spicy rub, then grilled to perfection with a deep, smoky essence right on your Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill. The magic doesn’t stop there; we crown this masterpiece with a vibrant, grilled pineapple salsa that elevates every single bite to an unforgettable experience. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of bold flavors and simple, satisfying grilling!
Crafting perfectly succulent pork chops has never been easier, especially when you harness the power of the Ninja Woodfire Grill. With its unique ability to infuse a delightful kiss of smoke, these chops transcend ordinary meals, offering an unbelievable depth of flavor that will impress even the most discerning palates. This recipe is designed to transform humble boneless pork chops into a culinary masterpiece, all within the convenience and efficiency of your outdoor grill.
For this recipe, I leveraged the versatile grill setting on the Ninja Woodfire Grill, combining high heat with a robust woodfire smoke infusion. This dual-action approach ensures each boneless pork chop develops a beautifully seared exterior while locking in all its natural juices and tenderness. But the innovation doesn’t end with the pork; the accompanying pineapple salsa is also crafted on the grill, with charred pineapple and savory vegetables. The salsa brings a bright, tangy, and subtly spicy counterpoint that perfectly complements the rich, smoky pork, making for an easy, cohesive, and utterly delicious meal.
The Ninja Woodfire Grill truly shines for those moments when you crave authentic smoky flavor without the hassle of a traditional, larger grill. It’s not just about convenience; the smoke penetration achieved on this fun grill is remarkably superior. I’ve found it delivers a far more pronounced and integrated smoke flavor into the chops compared to some larger, more complex smokers. This concentrated smoky essence deeply permeates the meat, creating a rich profile typically associated with slow-smoked dishes.
What sets these chops apart is the harmonious blend of grilling and smoking. While they boast the complex taste of truly smoked pork, the intense, direct heat of grilling simultaneously sears the exterior. This crucial step creates a flavorful crust and, more importantly, locks in all the moisture, ensuring every bite is incredibly meaty, juicy, and tender. Paired with our dynamic sweet and spicy rub, these chops are not just delicious; they are a 100-percent flavor sensation, offering a harmonious balance of savory, sweet, and a touch of heat!
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
- Unforgettable Smoky Flavor: The Ninja Woodfire Grill’s ability to infuse a true woodfire essence sets these chops apart, giving them a depth of flavor unmatched by conventional grilling. It’s that perfect balance of high-heat searing with genuine smoke.
- Quick & Convenient Meal: This entire flavor-packed meal, from grilling the chops to preparing the vibrant salsa, comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or whenever you crave gourmet flavors with minimal fuss.
- Customizable Spice Level: The grilled pineapple salsa offers the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, but its spice level is entirely in your hands. Easily adjust the amount of jalapeño to achieve your desired kick, ensuring a perfect complement to the savory pork.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pork Chops & Pineapple Salsa
Crafting these delectable Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layers of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors that make this dish truly special.
- Boneless Pork Loin Chops: Opt for chops that are about 1/2-inch thick. This thickness ensures they cook quickly and evenly on the grill, remaining tender and juicy without drying out. Boneless chops are also easier to manage and slice for serving.
- Sweet & Spicy Pork Rub: This is where much of the pork’s initial flavor comes from. Our recommended rub offers a harmonious balance of sweetness from brown sugar and a kick from various spices, creating a beautiful crust and deepening the smoky notes. If you have a trusted favorite pork rub, feel free to substitute it, but ensure it complements the pineapple salsa.
- Pineapple: You’ll need about three 1-inch thick slices of fresh pineapple. Leaving the core in during grilling helps maintain its structure and prevents it from falling apart, making it easier to achieve those beautiful grill marks and caramelized edges. The grilling process intensifies its natural sweetness.
- Red Bell Pepper: Seeded and cut in half, the red bell pepper adds a touch of mild sweetness and a vibrant color to the salsa. Grilling it softens its texture and brings out a subtle smoky undertone.
- Red Onion: Use 3-4 slices, roughly half a large onion or a whole small one. Grilling the onion mellows its sharp pungency, transforming it into a sweeter, more tender component that adds depth to the salsa.
- Jalapeno: Left whole for grilling, the jalapeño provides the essential spicy element for the salsa. Grilling it adds a smoky dimension and a nuanced heat. You can adjust the amount or remove seeds later to control the spice level.
- Fresh Cilantro: Washed and with larger stems removed, fresh cilantro introduces a bright, herbaceous, and refreshing note that cuts through the richness of the pork and balances the sweetness of the pineapple. It’s a key fresh element for the salsa.
- Fresh Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice is indispensable for the salsa. It brightens all the flavors, adds a tangy zest, and prevents the salsa from tasting too heavy, bringing a vibrant, zingy finish.
- Ground Cumin: This warm, earthy spice provides an essential depth to the pineapple salsa, tying together the savory and sweet elements and adding an authentic Southwestern flair.
- Salt and Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are crucial for enhancing all the other flavors in both the pork and the salsa. Season to taste, ensuring everything is perfectly balanced.
- Woodfire Pellets: For this pork recipe, I used a mild blend of pellets. The specific type of pellet (e.g., apple, cherry, or a milder blend) significantly influences the smoke flavor, adding a fragrant and delicate woody note that complements the pork without overpowering it. Always ensure you have enough pellets in the hopper before you start smoking.
How To Master Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Follow these easy steps to create a truly memorable meal, combining perfectly grilled, smoky pork chops with a vibrant, fresh, and slightly spicy pineapple salsa. The Ninja Woodfire Grill makes achieving incredible flavor remarkably simple.
- Preheat the Grill for Salsa Ingredients: Begin by setting your Ninja Woodfire Grill to the grill setting on high. Allow it to fully preheat until it indicates it’s ready to add food. Once ready, carefully place the pineapple slices, red bell pepper halves, red onion slices, and whole jalapeño directly onto the hot grill grates. This initial high heat is essential for developing those beautiful char marks and tenderizing the vegetables.
- Grill the Salsa Components: Close the lid of the grill and cook the vegetables and pineapple for approximately 3-4 minutes on the first side. The high heat will caramelize the pineapple and soften the vegetables. Then, open the lid, use tongs to carefully flip everything over, and continue grilling for another 2-3 minutes. You’re looking for the onion to soften and become translucent, and the peppers to achieve a tender-crisp texture with some char.
- Remove and Prepare for Chops: Once your pineapple and veggies are perfectly grilled, remove them from the grill and set them aside to cool slightly. While they’re cooling, it’s time to prepare the grill for the pork chops and infuse that signature woodfire flavor.
- Activate Woodfire Smoke: With the grill still hot, press the dedicated woodfire flavor button. This action will initiate the ignition process for the wood pellets you’ve loaded into the hopper. The grill will signal when it’s finished igniting and is ready to introduce the chops, ensuring a consistent smoke output.
- Season the Pork Chops: While the grill is working its magic to ignite the pellets, take your boneless pork chops and rub them liberally with your chosen sweet and spicy pork rub. Ensure an even coating on all sides to maximize flavor and create a delicious crust during grilling.
- Grill the Smoky Chops: As soon as the grill indicates it’s ready to accept the food, carefully add the seasoned pork chops to the grill. Immediately, reduce the grill’s heat setting to medium. This adjustment is crucial for cooking the chops through without burning the exterior, allowing the smoke to fully penetrate the meat.
- Cook to Perfection: Close the lid of the grill to capture all that smoky flavor. Cook the chops for about 3 minutes on the first side. Then, flip them over and cook for another 3 minutes, or until a digital meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop reads 145°F (63°C). Achieving this internal temperature is key to moist, tender pork.
- Rest the Chops: Once the chops reach the target temperature, remove them from the grill and place them on a cutting board or plate. Tent them loosely with foil and allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes. This resting period is vital for the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in incredibly succulent chops. After removing the chops, shut down your grill.
- Prepare the Pineapple Salsa: While the chops are resting, turn your attention to the grilled ingredients for the salsa. Finely dice the grilled pineapple, carefully removing and discarding any tough core. Chop the grilled red bell pepper, seed and finely dice the jalapeño (adjusting based on your spice preference), and dice the grilled red onion.
- Assemble and Season the Salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the finely diced grilled fruit and vegetables with the fresh chopped cilantro, a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice, and the ground cumin. Toss everything gently to combine all the vibrant flavors. Finally, season the salsa to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring a balanced, bright, and slightly spicy profile.
- Serve and Savor: Arrange the rested, juicy pork chops on plates and spoon a generous amount of the homemade grilled pineapple salsa over the top of each. Get ready to dig into an explosion of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors that will leave you wanting more!
Chef Jenn’s Expert Grilling Tips for Succulent Chops
Achieving perfectly cooked, juicy pork chops every time is simple with these expert tips from Chef Jenn:
- Never Overcook Your Chops: This is arguably the most important tip! Pork can dry out quickly if cooked too long. Always aim to pull your chops off the grill when their internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) as measured with a reliable digital meat thermometer. The resting period will allow the temperature to rise slightly (carryover cooking) and the juices to redistribute, resulting in incredibly moist and flavorful chops.
- Boneless Chops Cook Fast: Keep a close eye on your boneless chops, especially since they are thinner. I recommend cooking them on medium heat to prevent the exterior from burning before the inside is cooked. Their quick cooking time means you shouldn’t step away from the grill for too long – they’ll be ready before you know it!
- Don’t Forget the Pellets: To truly capture that amazing woodfire flavor, ensure you add the appropriate pelletsto the Ninja Woodfire Grill’s hopper before you press the “Woodfire Flavor” button. Without pellets, you’ll still get grilling, but you’ll miss out on that distinct, delicious smoky essence that elevates these chops.
More Delicious & Smoky Recipes to Explore
If you love the woodfire flavor and easy grilling, here are some other fantastic recipes to try:
Make it A Complete Meal: Perfect Pairings
Enhance your Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa by pairing them with complementary sides that bring out their best flavors. This dish, with its sweet, spicy, and smoky profile, pairs beautifully with sides that offer similar Southwestern or vibrant undertones. Consider serving it with a fluffy, savory Cheesy Spanish Rice, which provides a comforting base and absorbs the delicious salsa juices. Alternatively, a side of rich and flavorful Bacon Fried Corn adds another layer of texture and sweetness that harmonizes wonderfully with the grilled pineapple. For a lighter touch, a crisp garden salad with a lime vinaigrette would provide a refreshing balance. With these thoughtful pairings, your meal will be perfectly rounded and utterly satisfying!
Storage & Reheating Tips
Should you be fortunate enough to have any leftovers, proper storage will ensure your delicious meal remains fresh and flavorful. Pack any remaining grilled pineapple salsa and pork chops separately in airtight containers. Refrigerate them promptly within two hours of cooking. They will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days. When reheating the pork chops, gently warm them in a pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or in an oven at 300°F (150°C) until just heated through, to prevent them from drying out. The salsa is best served chilled or at room temperature. Avoid reheating the salsa, as it can diminish its fresh, vibrant texture.
Step By Step Process
Visual guidance is always helpful for perfecting a recipe. Here’s a step-by-step photographic journey through making these incredible Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple Salsa:
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Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple Salsa.
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Woodfire Grill
- 1/2 cup Mild Ninja pellets
Ingredients
- 4 each boneless pork loin chops about 1/2 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons sweet & spicy pork rub
For the grilled pineapple salsa
- 1 cups fresh pineapple diced, from grilled slices
- 1 each red bell pepper seeded, grilled, and chopped
- 1/2 red onion sliced, grilled, and diced
- 1 each jalapeno grilled, seeded, and diced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your Ninja Woodfire Grill to the grill setting on high. Once the grill has reached the desired temperature and indicates it’s ready for food, carefully place the pineapple slices, red bell pepper halves, red onion slices, and the whole jalapeño onto the grill grates.
- Close the grill lid and cook the vegetables and pineapple on high heat for 3-4 minutes to achieve a nice char. Then, open the lid, carefully flip all items, and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until the red onion has softened and the peppers are tender-crisp.
- Remove the grilled pineapple and vegetables from the grill and set them aside to cool slightly while you prepare the pork chops.
- Before grilling the chops, press the woodfire flavor button on your Ninja Woodfire Grill. This will begin igniting the wood pellets, infusing your grill with a delicious smoky aroma. The grill will alert you when it’s ready to add the chops.
- While the wood pellets are igniting, liberally rub your boneless pork chops with the sweet & spicy pork rub, ensuring they are evenly coated on all sides.
- Once the grill signals it’s ready, carefully place the seasoned pork chops onto the grates. Immediately, turn the grill’s heat setting down to medium to ensure thorough cooking without over-browning.
- Close the lid and cook the chops for approximately 3 minutes per side. Continue cooking until the internal temperature of the pork chops reaches 145°F (63°C) when measured with a reliable digital meat thermometer. This ensures juicy, tender results.
- Remove the perfectly cooked chops from the grill and allow them to rest, loosely tented with foil, for 5-10 minutes. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness. After removing the chops, remember to shut down your grill.
- Now, prepare your salsa. Finely dice the grilled pineapple, discarding the core. Chop the grilled red bell pepper, seed and finely dice the grilled jalapeño (adjusting to your preferred spice level), and finely dice the grilled red onion.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the diced grilled fruit and vegetables with the fresh chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, and ground cumin. Toss gently to integrate all the flavors, then season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve the beautifully grilled and rested pork chops with a generous topping of the vibrant grilled pineapple salsa. Prepare for an incredible explosion of flavors in every bite!
Notes
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
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