The moist, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth pork chops at Texas Roadhouse have reached legendary status. Patrons rave about their tenderness and many have tried unsuccessfully to replicate it at home. So how does this popular steakhouse chain manage to churn out some of the most tender pork chops around?
This article will talk about Texas Roadhouse’s best tips for making pork chops as tender and juicy as possible. Find out how they do what they do below, whether you want to copy their skills at home or are just interested in how they do it!
The Importance of Choosing the Right Pork
It all starts with selecting high-quality pork. Texas Roadhouse only uses fresh, never frozen American Midwest pork. The breed, diet, age, and handling of the pigs affects tenderness. Their pork comes from Berkshire hogs, known for superior marbling, and other heritage hog breeds. This gives the chops extra flavor and moisture.
They also choose thicker bone-in rib and center cut chops. The bone adds flavor and prevents overcooking. Thinner chops dry out quickly, while a thicker 2-inch chop stays tender and juicy.
Precise Trimming and Portioning
Trimming and portioning the chops precisely lends to uniform thickness and cooking. First, Texas Roadhouse cuts each chop by hand until it is exactly 10 ounces and 2 inches thick. They then remove any extra fat or sinew. This level of consistency guarantees even cooking and tenderness.
The Power of Brining
Brining is essentially bathing the pork in a saltwater solution before cooking. Texas Roadhouse lets their chops soak in a brine for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight. The salt in the brine seasons the meat and makes the cells expand, forcing them to retain moisture during cooking. This keeps the interior juicy and enhances tenderness.
Seasoning Blend Specifically for Pork
Texas Roadhouse has crafted a signature seasoning rub optimized to complement and tenderize pork. It contains salts to break down muscle fibers, oregano for flavor, and citrus elements like lemon and orange peel to tenderize. This specialized blend sets their chops apart from basic seasoning. They liberally coat each chop ensuring maximum coverage.
Searing Followed by Gentle Grilling
Chops are first seared on a screaming hot grill to caramelize the outside. Then the heat is drastically lowered and they slowly finish overindirect low heat. This gives a flavorful crust while gently cooking the interior without drying it out. Texas Roadhouse is meticulous about precise grilling temperatures and timing.
##Resting Period After Cooking
Once cooked, the chops are allowed to rest at least 5 minutes before serving. This redistributes their juices and allows the proteins to relax after grilling. Chops sliced immediately will spill juices and be drier. Letting them rest finishes the cooking process for tender results.
Serving Thickness Matters
Texas Roadhouse chops are grilled whole then sliced to order by hand. Thick hand cut slices retain more moisture than thin slices from a power slicer. They cut perpendicular to the grain for tenderness so chops are easy to cut through. Portion size also impacts temperature so slices aren’t overcooked.
The Right Side Dishes Complete the Plate
The sauces and sides at Texas Roadhouse also complement the juicy pork. A ladle of savory gravy or sweet BBQ sauceprevents dryness. Sides like mashed potatoes, baked beans, or slaw balance the heartiness. And hot rolls soak up any extra juices. Everything works together for maximum enjoyment of those famous tender chops!
Tips to Mimic Texas Roadhouse Chops at Home
While Texas Roadhouse has access to premium pork and commercial equipment, you can still replicate their famously tender chops at home with a few tricks:
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Buy Thick Bone-In Chops – Choose at least 2-inches thick with a bone for flavor and moisture. Go for Berkshire pork if you can find it.
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Brine Overnight – Soak chops in a simple saltwater brine to infuse flavor and retain juices.
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Use a Pork-Friendly Rub – Season generously with spices like salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano.
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Sear Then Grill Gently – Sear chops on high heat then lower temp and cook indirectly to finish without drying.
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Rest Before Slicing – Never slice right off the grill! Let rest at least 5 minutes so juices redistribute.
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Slice Thick Against the Grain – Hand cut slices about 1/2-inch thick for the most tender, juicy results.
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Pair with Complementary Sides – Mashed potatoes, gravy, baked beans, and rolls are perfect pairings.
With the right prep and cooking techniques, you can enjoy saloon-worthy tender and juicy pork chops without the Roadhouse wait! Just be sure to give them your best brining, seasoning, searing, and slicing for maximum tenderness and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Roadhouse Pork Chops
Texas Roadhouse fans have plenty of questions about the secrets behind their famous chops. Here are some of the most common FAQs:
What cut of pork do they use?
Texas Roadhouse uses fresh, never frozen bone-in rib and center cut pork chops. They select specific breeds like Berkshire pigs.
What makes their chops so juicy?
Brining, generous marbling, proper cooking method, and resting period all contribute to signature Texas Roadhouse juiciness.
What is in their pork chop seasoning?
Their signature spice rub contains salt, pepper, oregano, onion, garlic, and citrus components like lemon peel and orange extract.
Do they marinate the pork chops?
They don’t marinate, but they do let the pork chops soak in a saltwater brine before grilling for enhanced moisture and flavor.
How long do they cook the chops?
Cooking time depends on thickness but averages 6-8 minutes total: 2 minutes searing then 4-6 minutes over gentle indirect heat.
What wood do they use to smoke the chops?
Texas Roadhouse grills their pork chops over an open flame, not smoked. The smoky flavor comes from the steakhouse atmosphere.
What oil do they fry the chops in?
Texas Roadhouse doesn’t fry their pork chops. They are grilled to maintain a moist interior and develop crispy, caramelized exterior.
Do they butterfly or pound the chops?
No, they use thick bone-in rib and center cut chops as is. Alterations like pounding or butterflying would compromise the moisture.
What sides go best with the chops?
The most popular pairings are mashed potatoes, gravy, baked beans, mac and cheese, green beans, and rolls or cornbread.
How can I best mimic their chops at home?
Buy thick Berkshire pork chops, brine 4+ hours, use a pork-friendly spice rub, sear then gently grill, rest, and hand slice thickly against the grain.
So there you have it – all the insider secrets to how Texas Roadhouse delivers perfectly tender, juicy pork chops every single time. With the right preparation and cooking techniques, you can enjoy similar results at home. Just be sure to give the chops some extra love with brining, seasoning, searing, and slicing. Your patience will be rewarded with succulent chops the whole family will devour!
