Asian Marinated Pork Loin Chops With Fish Sauce

Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of these Asian-inspired pork chops, a culinary creation inspired by a memorable episode of Masterchef. The marinade is crafted with a blend of savory fish sauce, sticky oyster sauce, and aromatic garlic, these thick and juicy pork loin chops promise to tantalize the taste buds with every bite. A flavorful journey from screen to plate, this dish embodies the essence of culinary inspiration and innovation.

This pork loin chop marinade foregoes the typical soy sauce in many Vietnamese food recipes, opting for a harmonious fusion of salty fish and sticky oyster sauce. Enhanced by fragrant garlic and fiery red chili flakes, the marinade boasts an irresistible flavor that promises to elevate the humble pork chop to new heights of culinary delight.

You have to mind this recipe and baby it a bit when cooking. Overcooking will burn the brown sugar in the Asian marinade, and burned food isn’t appreciated at the dinner table.

The other aspect that makes this recipe a bit fiddly is that you must marinate the pork chops for 12–24 hours. You can try doing it for a shorter time, but the longer they sit in the marinade, the better they will turn out. These thick, succulent pork chops go great with Asian fried rice or veggies.

Now that I have this particular recipe down, I know we will often use it on our BBQ this summer. We’re huge BBQ’ers here, so be sure to stick around for more grilled taste sensations like this one.

Why You Will Love This Asian-Style Pork Loin Marinade

Flavorful Marinade: The Asian-inspired marinade, with its combination of fish sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and chili flakes, infuses the pork loin chops with layers of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors, making every bite incredibly delicious and satisfying.

Versatile Cooking Options: Whether you prefer to cook indoors on the stovetop or outdoors on the BBQ, this recipe offers versatile cooking options to suit your preferences and the season. You can enjoy perfectly cooked pork loin chops no matter the weather or occasion.

Family-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing: This recipe is perfect for feeding a family or entertaining guests with its crowd-pleasing flavors and simple cooking process. Whether served as a weeknight dinner or at a weekend barbecue, these Asian marinated pork loin chops will surely be a hit with everyone.

Let’s Start Taking Pork Marinade!

First, we pull out the dish you want to marinate in. I always use my handy nine-by-thirteen baking dish; it’s the perfect shallow dish for marinating meats. Place the pork chops in there, and then start gathering the marinade ingredients. The marinade is so simple that it doesn’t take much time to prepare. In fact, the hardest part is getting the garlic diced or minced into small pieces.

When you have the marinade thoroughly mixed, you brush it over the chops. There is no need to season pork chops beforehand as the marinade has a lot of flavor. Be sure to flip them onto the other side and brush again so that you know they are fully coated. Afterward, pour the remaining marinade over the chops and cover. Put it in the fridge for 12–24 hours. I find it easier to plan and do this while making dinner for the day. That way, you have prepared for the next day while working in the kitchen today. 

You can cook pork loin chops in two ways, and the cooking times will vary. The first cooking method will make your pork loin chops succulent! That’s on the stovetop in a large skillet and then finished off in the oven. The second method is straight on the outdoor grill. However, this method does dry the meat out more if you are not careful. Be sure to hang onto the leftover marinade to brush over the top of the chops on the grill.

If you use the stovetop oven method, you will want to heat the pan up to medium-high to start. This way, you can sear the bone-in pork chops and get a good caramelization on each side before finishing in the oven. We use a cast-iron pan, which can quickly transfer to the oven. The preheated oven should be set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once in the oven, it’s a simple waiting game until you have the most succulent pork chops! Pork chops are cooked in the oven for fifteen minutes or until they are tested for done.

If you are cooking on the grill, you want to get it up to a high temperature. We want to create beautiful grill marks. After all, it’s not every day we have premium, thick chops at home. Grill marks look so pretty on a plate as well! To achieve those gorgeous charred lines, grill pork for three minutes on each side. Once both sides have cooked, baste the chops with the leftover marinade to enhance their flavor.

Once they’ve cooked six minutes per side, you can test for doneness. Using your meat thermometer, check the internal temperature. A medium-cooked pork loin chop will read 145 degrees Fahrenheit; any lower, and it needs to cook for longer. Put them on the upper rack of the BBQ and close the grill until finished.

These chops make a fantastic meal with the perfect sweet and salty flavors. With that much flavor, they go great with any Asian-style rice dish and are an excellent way to enjoy pork. You can also serve them on a bed of thin rice noodles or with stir-fried vegetables. 

Ingredients:

Pork Loin Chop: This main ingredient provides a hearty and tender base for the dish, absorbing the marinade’s flavors.

Fish Sauce (nước mắm): Infuses the marinade with umami richness and depth of flavor. If you are unfamiliar with fish sauce, it is one of the classic Vietnamese condiments. It is made from fish or krill that has been fermented in salt. 

Oyster Sauce: Adds sweetness and a velvety texture to the marinade, enhancing its richness. New to oyster sauce? It gets its name from you, as you guessed it. Oysters. The sauce makers add salt, sugar, and sometimes soy to make a thick syrup-like sauce. 

Fresh Garlic: Lends its aromatic zest to the marinade, contributing layers of savory flavor.

Red Chili Pepper Flakes: Provide a subtle heat that balances the sweetness of the marinade.

Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and caramelization to the marinade, enhancing its depth of flavor.

Lemon: This ingredient brightens the marinade with a refreshing citrusy zing, adding a touch of acidity to balance the richness of the other ingredients.

Substitutions And Add-Ins For This Tasty Pork Marinade Sauce:

Pork Loin Chop: For a different protein option, substitute chicken breast or tofu. Alternatively, you can use thick, boneless pork loin chops. 

Fish Sauce (nước mắm): Substitute with regular soy sauce for a vegetarian option or Worcestershire sauce for a milder flavor. 

Oyster Sauce: This ingredient can be replaced with hoisin for a sweeter flavor or dark soy sauce for a saltier taste. (Note that if you’ve already replaced the fish sauce with soy sauce, you don’t want to use more to replace the oyster sauce.)

Fresh Garlic: Garlic powder can be used for convenience or minced shallots for a milder flavor. 

Red Chili Pepper Flakes: Chili paste or sriracha sauce can add heat or replace the chili flakes. You will need to play with amounts to find the right balance.

Brown Sugar: Natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup can be used. Alternatively, add a tablespoon of molasses for a deeper flavor—this will result in a fusion of flavors since molasses is not Asian but hails from Egypt and India. Another sweetening option that would work well is palm sugar, like coconut. 

Lemon: Fresh lemongrass can be substituted for the lemon. Crush the lemongrass to release its oils before adding it to the marinade. Alternatively, lime juice can be substituted for the lemon for a similar citrus flavor.

Expert Tips, Serving And Storing Suggestions For This Pork Chop:

See the below tips for the best results with each cooking method.

Stovetop

Tip #1: Properly Sear the Chops: Start by heating a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until it’s hot. Sear the pork loin chops on either side for 3-4 minutes each. Or until they develop a golden-brown crust. This locks in the juices and creates a flavorful caramelization outside the meat.

Tip #2: Control the Heat: Adjust the heat while cooking to ensure the pork loin chops cook evenly without burning. Reduce the heat to prevent the marinade from burning and becoming bitter if it’s too hot. This gentle heat melts the flavors together and ensures tender, juicy chops.

Tip #3: Baste with Marinade: As the pork loin chops cook, periodically use a spoon or basting brush to baste them with the marinade. Discard unused marinade that has come into contact with raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.

On The BBQ

Tip #1: Preheat and Oil the Grill: Before cooking, preheat your BBQ grill and brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking. A well-oiled grill ensures the pork loin chops cook evenly and develop those coveted grill marks.

Tip #2: Use Indirect Heat: To avoid flare-ups and ensure even cooking, start by searing the pork loin chops over direct heat for 2-3 minutes on each side to get those grill marks. Then, move them to the cooler, indirect heat to finish cooking. This method helps prevent the marinade from burning while allowing the chops to cook through gently.

Tip#3: Monitor Internal Temperature: Use your meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature of the pork loin chops. The lowest internal temperature for cooked pork is 145°F (63°C) for medium doneness. A higher internal temperature means it’s cooked more thoroughly. For the most accurate reading, remember to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chop, away from the bone. Once the internal temperature is correct, remove the chops from the grill. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Serve these succulent Asian marinated pork loin chops on a platter paired with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal, or slice them thinly and serve atop a vibrant Asian-inspired salad for a lighter option. These flavorful pork chops will impress if enjoyed as the centerpiece of a family barbecue or a weeknight dinner.

To store any uneaten portions:

1. Allow the cooked pork loin chops to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or resealable ziplock bag.
2. Refrigerate the leftovers for 3-4 days, ensuring they are properly sealed to maintain freshness.
3. Gently reheat the pork chops in the microwave or oven until warm.
4. Be careful not to overcook and dry them out.

Have you tried making these Asian marinated pork loin chops? Please share your experience with us in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your cooking adventures and any delicious variations you’ve tried. Join the conversation and inspire others with your culinary creativity!