Tennessee Whiskey Glazed Pork Chops

Introduction

These Tennessee Whiskey Glazed Pork Chops are loaded with bold Southern flavor, seared to perfection on the Arteflame grill. The combination of Tennessee whiskey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and spices creates a rich, sweet-and-savory glaze that locks in luscious juices. Using the Arteflame's central grill grate to sear at over 1,000°F, followed by reverse searing on the surrounding flat cooktop, delivers a perfectly juicy and flavorful chop every single time. The solid steel cooktop means no flare-ups and incredible flavor. Best of all, it’s all done outdoors—no oven, no pans—just simple, delicious live-fire cooking.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in pork chops (1 to 1.5 inches thick)
• 1/2 cup Tennessee whiskey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for cooking)
• Fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)

The Sear Makes the Steak, And Arteflame Makes the Sear

Why settle for low-temperature searing when you can achieve steakhouse-quality results with an Arteflame? Gas grills take longer, drying out your steak, while the Arteflame sears at 1000°F in just one minute, locking in juices for perfection.

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Instructions

Step 1: Get the Arteflame grill ready

1. Pour a little vegetable oil over three paper napkins and place them in the center of the Arteflame grill.
2. Stack quality firewood on top of the napkins.
3. Light the napkins and let the fire build. The grill will be ready for cooking in about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Tennessee whiskey glaze

1. In a bowl, combine Tennessee whiskey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir thoroughly until smooth.
3. Spoon half of the glaze into a separate bowl for later basting.

Step 3: Marinate the pork chops

1. Place pork chops in a shallow tray or large resealable bag.
2. Pour in half of the whiskey glaze and coat the pork evenly.
3. Let sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate up to 4 hours (bring to room temperature before grilling).

Step 4: Sear the pork chops

1. Season the marinated pork chops with a bit more salt and pepper just before grilling.
2. Add a tablespoon of butter to the hot center grill grate (over 1,000°F) of your Arteflame grill.
3. Sear pork chops 1-2 minutes per side to lock in the juices and get perfect grill marks.

Step 5: Reverse sear on the flat cooktop

1. Move the chops to the cooler area of the surrounding flat cooktop griddle to slowly cook through.
2. Occasionally baste with the reserved whiskey glaze for maximum flavor.
3. Use a meat thermometer to monitor internal temp. Remove from heat when chops are 15°F below your target doneness (recommend 135°F for medium, finish at 150°F).

Step 6: Rest and serve

1. Let the pork chops rest 5–10 minutes off the grill before serving (internal temperature will rise).
2. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and drizzle with any remaining glaze.

Tips

• Always reverse sear for juicy, evenly cooked pork.
• Sear with butter for rich flavor and a beautiful golden crust.
• Let your pork rest after grilling to lock in those juices.
• Use the hotter inner zones or cooler outer edge of the Arteflame cooktop depending on cooking stage.
• Make sure to monitor internal meat temperature with a thermometer.

Variations

1. Maple Bourbon Twist: Swap brown sugar with maple syrup and use a Kentucky bourbon for a deeper, smokier glaze.
2. Spicy Tennessee Heat: Add 1 tsp hot sauce and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the glaze for a hot Southern kick.
3. Peach Whiskey Chops: Mix in 1/4 cup peach preserves for a sweet and fruity glaze perfect for summer grilling.
4. Garlic Herb Infused: Mix fresh minced garlic and chopped rosemary into the glaze for a savory, fragrant profile.
5. Asian Fusion: Substitute soy sauce with hoisin and add grated ginger with a splash of rice wine vinegar for an East-meets-South fusion.

Best pairings

• Grilled corn with spicy butter (cook on outer edge of Arteflame)
• Charred sweet potatoes with a maple glaze
• Grilled asparagus with garlic butter
• Smoked mac & cheese (cook in cast-iron directly on cooktop if desired)
• Classic coleslaw or grilled peach salad

Conclusion

The Arteflame grill elevates these Tennessee whiskey glazed pork chops to true outdoor gourmet status. With the high-temperature sear locking in moisture and the reverse sear on the flat cooktop finishing the cooking perfectly, you'll get restaurant-quality results in your backyard every time. Simple to light, easy to clean, and always flavorful—this is how grilling is meant to be.