Combine 1 cup water, salt, and brown sugar in a 2-quart saucepan. Heat and stir until salt and brown sugar dissolve. Remove from heat. Stir in ice cubes, peppercorns and, if desired, bourbon.
Recipe
Primary Media
Description
It's not a Kentucky recipe if bourbon isn't involved... right? Well, this brined and smoked and have a healthy dose of Kentucky bourbon whiskey and bourbon-barbecue sauce.
Servings and Ingredients
Ingredients
Quantity | Ingredient | Add |
---|---|---|
1 c. plus 2 tbsp. water, divided | ||
2 tbsp. Hy-Vee salt | ||
2 tbsp. Hy-Vee brown sugar, packed | ||
2 c. ice cubes | ||
1 tsp. black peppercorns | ||
2 tbsp. Kentucky bourbon, optional | ||
4 (8-oz. each) Hy-Vee Midwest Pork boneless top loin chops, 1-inch-thick, trimmed | ||
2 c. hickory wood chips | ||
½ c. bottled Kentucky bourbon barbecue sauce | ||
Grilled Broccolini, for serving | ||
Grilled collard greens, for serving | ||
Grilled cherry tomatoes, for serving |
Things To Grab
- 2-quart saucepan
- Large resealable plastic bag
- Shallow dish
- Charcoal or gas grill
- Paper towels
- Silicone pastry brush
- Meat thermometer
- Aluminum foil
Directions
Place chops in large resealable plastic bag set in a shallow dish. Pour brine over chops in bag; seal bag. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
Soak wood chips in very hot water for 30 minutes; drain. Meanwhile, preheat a charcoal or gas grill with a greased grill rack for indirect cooking over low heat (275 degrees). For a charcoal grill, sprinkle wood chips over coals. For a gas grill, place wood chips in a smoker box or smoking pouch. Place over direct heat.
Hyvee Culinary Expert Tip
To make a smoking pouch, place soaked wood chips on a double layer of heavy foil and wrap tightly, enclosing ends. Poke holes all over packet to allow air in and smoke out.When chips begin to smoke, remove chops from brine; pat dry. Discard brine. Combine barbecue sauce and remaining 2 tablespoons water; reserve half of mixture for serving. Brush some of remaining mixture on both sides of chops. Place chops over indirect heat.
Cover; smoke for 40 to 50 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, turning and brushing with remaining sauce mixture after 20 minutes. Remove chops from grill; loosely cover with foil and let rest 5 minutes. Serve with reserved sauce and, if desired, Broccolini, collard greens, and/or cherry tomatoes.
Nutrition facts
Servings
Amounts Per Serving
- Total Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
- Sodium: 2200mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 17g
- Protein: 47g