Summer Pork Chops with Tropical Rice Salad

Name: Summer Pork Chops with Tropical Rice Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1.5 dl long-grain rice; 2 pcs spring onion; 0.5 pcs papaya; 0.5 pcs mango; 1 pcs red bell pepper; 4 pcs pork loin chop; 2 tbsp neutral oil; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp lemon pepper

40 min

2 portions

grilled pork salad

Plan this

Juicy grilled pork chops paired with a fresh rice salad loaded with mango, papaya, and red pepper. Perfect for a summer evening.

Instructions

1
Cook the rice according to the package instructions, then set it aside to cool completely.
2
Finely chop the spring onion, red pepper, mango, and papaya, then gently fold everything into the cooled rice.
3
Brush the pork chops with oil and season them with salt and lemon pepper. Grill for 3–4 minutes on each side.

Per average serving

Calories

kcal

Protein

Carbs

Fat

Fiber

Sugar

242mg

Sodium

Family Portions

2portions

Adults

Children

No children added

Per average serving

Calories

kcal

Protein

Carbs

Fat

Fiber

Sugar

242mg

Sodium

Tips from the kitchen

Let the rice cool all the way before you fold in the fruit. Warm rice turns the mango and papaya mushy and you lose the texture you want.
Pat the chops dry before you brush them with oil, otherwise they steam on the grill instead of getting those marks.
Don't go heavy on the papaya. Pick one that gives a little when you press it but isn't soft, since overripe papaya falls apart when you fold it in.
Pull the chops off at 3-4 minutes a side and let them rest a few minutes before cutting. They keep cooking off the heat and stay juicy.
Chop the fruit and pepper into small even pieces so every forkful of rice has a bit of everything.

Ways to vary it

Swap the papaya for pineapple if you can't find a good one. It plays nicely with the mango and adds a bit more tang.
A handful of chopped cilantro or mint folded into the rice is a nice optional addition if you like fresh herbs.
You can use chicken breast or thighs instead of pork chops, same oil and seasoning, just grill until cooked through.

Storage & leftovers

The rice salad keeps 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, though the fruit softens the longer it sits. The chops keep 3 days. I wouldn't freeze either, the rice goes grainy and the fruit turns to mush. Reheat the chops gently in a low oven or a covered pan, and eat the rice salad cold straight from the fridge.

What to serve with it

A cold beer or a glass of dry white wine fits the summer feel. If you want something more on the plate, a few grilled lime wedges to squeeze over the chops work well.

By Untrained ChefPublished 21 May 2026 · Updated 7 June 2026