Cooking Pork Loin On The Grill

Create The Perfect Crust

After much experimentation, Ive concluded that grilling pork tenderloin in a covered gas grill solves the problem. A gas grill heated to high with the lid down can effectively cook a pork tenderloin directly and indirectly simultaneously.

The key with this method is to get this sear and cook the pork tenderloin as quickly as possible, before it has a change to dry out. To develop an impressive crust , Ive developed the 7-6-5 method for timing the pork

How Long To Cook Pork Loin

This recipe takes a bit of time to cook. Its not one of those 30-minute meals, but that cooking time is what helps to make it truly the perfect pork loin.

• Youll need 10 minutes to oven sear the roast, and then about 20 minutes of cooking time per pound of meat.

So youll definitely want to plan ahead. This is not a last-minute recipe.

One great thing about this recipe is that it is very hands-off in terms of prep work. Just a quick dry rub and pop it in the oven! So, if youve got time on your hands, but also want to be productive in other places around the house, this is the pork loin recipe for you!

More fo my familys favorite easy meals!

• more MAIN DISH recipes

Tools used to make this Perfectly Moist Pork Loin recipe

Roasting Pan: while this isnt a pan that gets daily use in our house. When I pull it out, you know were going to have a great meal. Every kitchen should have a reliable roasting pan!

Meat Thermometer: I love this tool because it takes the guesswork out of cooking meat. Just stick it into the middle of your pork loin and see if youve reached the correct internal temperature. No need to cut into the roast, lose some juices, just to find out it needs more cooking time!

*This post originally posted on 09/03/2013.

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How Do You Make Grilled Pork Tenderloin

The first thing I do after getting the pork tenderloin out of the package is to pat it dry. I do this because it helps the spices to stick to the meat and wipes off any weird barrier that might have settled on the meat while it was in the package. I then add the tenderloin to a resealable bag, leaving the top open.

Next, I mix together the lemon juice, garlic, spices, oil, mustard, and honey. I pour only half of this marinade over the pork . You want to save the other half for later. Seal the pork and marinade together in the bag and squeeze out any extra air. I also kind of shake/rub the marinade around on the pork outside the bag as well. I then put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, I preheat the grill to about medium and get the grates oiled so that the meat doesnt stick while youre grilling. After the pork has been marinated, I use long tongs to transfer it to the grill, then close the grill and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning every couple of minutes or so so that it cooks on all sides. About halfway through the grilling process, Ill start to spread on the other half of that reserved marinade.

When its done grilling or the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145°, I remove the tenderloin from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

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Why Should You Grill A Whole Pork Loin Roast

There are so many reasons you should grill a whole pork tenderloin. First of all, it is super convenient to cook a pork loin this way. You just have to heat the grill, marinate the pork loin, and thats it. Place it on the grill and let the grill do the work. Secondly, you get a rich, smoky flavor that stands out! The juiciness of the pork plus the flavors from the marinade and the smokiness of the grill amp up the taste. If you keep an eye on the temperature, the pork loin always turns out to be very juicy and perfect!

Grilled Pork Loin Recipes

Pork loins are the blank canvas of meats. You can go just about any direction with this tender, juicy cut of meat from the back of the hog. No matter the spice or rub, pork embraces it all for a relishing flavor.

These grilled pork loin recipes cook well for crowds and families of fussy eaters. Keep it simple with a classic smoked pork loin. Get creative with apples and sauerkraut. Or double your pig intake with bacon-stuff loins and bacon-pork pinwheels.

No matter how you prep it or eat itgo grab a slab from the butcher and get smokin.

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How To Season The Tenderloin For The Grill

Tenderloin takes flavor very well, so dry rubs and marinades work great.

Just use some salt, pepper, and garlic like my All Purpose Seasoning – 7:2:1 and 7:2:2, but use the seasoning of your choice.

To make it BBQ, brush with a light coat of BBQ sauce for about 5 minutes before reaching your final temperature. Then, a second coat when removed from the grill to rest.If you plan to add sauce, account for that with your dry seasoning.

How to cook the pork tenderloin on the grill?

Grill over direct heat. Rotate the pork tenderloin every 4-5 minutes. Some grillers will recommend indirect heat, but it is not needed.tThe biggest secret about pork tenderloins is that it is not round, flat, or even square. It is a triangle, so there are three sides. So, whether cooking on a grill or in a pan, cook three sides and don’t force it into a shape that is not natural.

What is the grilling time for a pork tenderloin on a grill?

It will take about 25 minutes to grill a 1 ½ pound pork tenderloin. But this will vary with the size and thickness of the tenderloin and the exact grill temperature.Most tenderloins are about 1 ½ pounds. Smaller ones may be as little as 15-20 minutes. Larger ones, about 2 pounds, may take 30 minutes or a bit longer.But always remember to cook to a final internal temperature and never by time.

When is the pork tenderloin done?

What To Serve With Smoked Pork Loin

Even though smoked pork loin is delicious all on its own, it is even better when it is paired with the right combination of sides. The best meals offer a balance of ingredients that is complementary and brings even more color and flavor to a plate!

To bring another amazing flavor to this dish, consider our smoked tomatoes. This sweet and savory side option is perfect for getting veggies on the table to accompany your meat. For a more filling meal, our smoked green bean casserole and smoked cornbread are also perfect for this dish. Dont be afraid to mix and match these to make an even larger meal!

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Keep It Juicy With A Brine

Pork tenderloins may have the texture of red meat, but their flavor isnt quite as exciting. For this reason, Ive found that soaking them in a salt-sugar brine helps immensely. Depending on my schedule, Ive developed two brine strengths. When Im in a hurry, I use the stronger brine and soak the pork tenderloins for just 45 minutes. With this brine strength, the tenderloins tend to taste a little salty on the surface, so I rinse them and pat them dry.

If I have more time, I halve the amounts of sugar and salt in the brine recipe and soak the tenderloins for 1-1/2 hours. With this weaker brine, Ive found the tenderloins dont need to be rinsed. I simply pat them dry. Either way, brining not only improves the flavor but also helps the pork stay juicy.

Perfectly Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Perfectly Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin requires just a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep for the juiciest, flavorful pork tenderloin straight off the grill. Its just so good!

Perfectly Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin requires just a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep for the juiciest, flavorful pork tenderloin straight off the grill. Its just so good!

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Gas Grill Vs Charcoal Grill

Wondering which kind of grill you should use? Either works for this recipe. We prefer a gas grill because it heats up faster and you can monitor the temperature more precisely.

For those of you who love charcoal, we understand why! Using a charcoal grill adds that smoky charred flavor that only a charcoal grill can provide.

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How Long To Cook Pork On Gas Grill

The answer to this question depends on how thick pork chops are and at which temperature you are cooking them. It is advised that you grill pork over 350-450 degrees F, and it will take you 5-15 minutes. Although this seems fast and simple, you should always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat because it should be at least 145 degrees F.

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Tips For Making Whole Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Keep these few tips in mind when grilling whole pork loin:

• Always clean the grill and heat it before you place the meat on it. It is crucial for perfect grilling and juicy meat.
• The cooking time of the pork loin depends greatly on its size and weight. The heavier the pork loin is, the more time it will take to cook.
• Although you can check the doneness of the meat by touching it, it is better to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat.
• Remove the meat when it is 5 degrees less than your desired final temperature. Thats because the temperature increases even after you take it off the grill.
• You can use any dry rub or wet marinade to season the pork loin.
• Always let the meat rest for 15 minutes before slicing it. The best way is to wrap aluminum foil around it. This way, the meat will be juicy and moist.

The Best Way To Grill Pork Loin On A Weber Grill

The first instinct of many charcoal-grill users is to toss the meat on the cooking grate directly over the coals and char it until it’s done. Thick, long cuts of whole pork tenderloin, however, require more care and patience before and during the grilling process.

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The kettle shape of Weber grills is perfectly suited for the slower cooking method of indirect grilling, in which the lit coals rest on the sides of the grill and the loin sits over a coal-free zone in the center of the kettle.

Things You’ll Need

• 3- to 4-lb. whole pork tenderloin

• Metal baking sheet

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar

• 2 tbsp. kosher salt

• 2 tbsp. freshly ground black pepper

• 4 handfuls hickory wood chips

• Small plastic bowl

• 2 Weber charcoal side baskets

• Foil roasting pan

• Long-handled grilling tongs

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Grilled Pork Tenderloin Tips And Tricks

How long to grill pork tenderloin?

Grill pork tenderloin at 450ºF 500ºF for 2 minutes on each side. Then, turn the grill down to 400ºF and continue cooking for around 10-13 more minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 145ºF.

How do you know your pork tenderloin is done?

You know your pork tenderloin is done once the internal temperature of your pork reads 145ºF, which is medium-rare. DO NOT. I repeat DO NOT overcook your pork!

Can pork tenderloin be a little pink?

Can pork tenderloin be a little pink? Yes, pork tenderloin can be a little pink. However, in order to safely consume it, the internal temperature should be at least 145ºF.

Why do I need to let my pork rest?

Always let your pork rest after cooking so that it can continue cooking . This also helps your meat get super juicy on the inside!

Is it better to bake or grill pork tenderloin?

Both are great options, however grilling pork tenderloin will leave you with super juicy pork on the inside and a charred, delicious outside.

Why Is My Pork Loin So Tough

Pork loin is infamously difficult to prepare because it dries out faster than other meatkeep it far, far away from your slow-cooker. She says youll want to avoid cooking pork loin in a slow-cooker for this very reason.« The low heat for a long length of time renders a tough outcome, » she explains.

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How To Cook With Indirect Heat

• Turn on half your burners on your grill. For me, that was two out of the four burners. Close the lid, let it preheat to about 300-350°F. Note: if your grill wont get that hot, you may need to turn on a third burner.
• Once its preheated, you place the Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork Loin Filet over the direct heat to sear it on both sides.
• Then move it to the section with no flame underneath. Cover the grill and cook until the meat registers 145°F on an instant read thermometer .
• How many minutes per pound do you cook a pork loin on the grill? The answer to that one is about 20 minutes per pound.

I seared my pork loin for 5 minutes per side over direct heat. Then I moved it to indirect heat, closed the lid and set the timer for 20 minutes. Then I turned it over and cooked it about 15-20 more, or until the thermometer registered 145°F.

Once its done, you must let it rest at least 10-15 minutes. The result is a juicy and tender pork loin every single time. Plus, itll be super flavorful because it came already marinated from Smithfield.

Smithfield Roasted Garlic and Herb Grilled Pork Loin Filet comes marinated and cooks up easily on the grill in under an hour.

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Pork Loin Vs Pork Tenderloin

Just to clarify, pork loin and pork tenderloin are not the same things. Pork loin comes from the back of the pig, is considerably larger and not quite as tender as the tenderloin. The tenderloin is the muscle that runs along the backbone. Though they are both lean, their size difference makes them poorly suited to substitute for each other in recipes.

If you mistakenly came here looking for tenderloin recipes, don’t fret. Just check out my Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin, BBQ Glazed Pork Tenderloin, or my Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich recipes.

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All You Need To Know About Grilling Pork Loin

Smoked pork loin is likewise flexible! You can cut it slim for the best smoked pork loin sandwiches, put it in enchiladas, or even heap it on some custom made grill pork pizzas. Since the pork loin meat itself is impartial in flavour, it combines well with a wide assortment of flavours from Mexican to Greek and Barbecue.

So for what reason would you need to smoke a pork loin as opposed to cooking it utilizing an alternate technique? A pork loin is lean, so with the shortfall of fat, you additionally get less dampness. By smoking a pork loin low and slow on a barbecue, the meat stays moist.

Read ahead to find out How Long To Cook Pork Loin On Grill Per Pound.

More Pork Recipes With Different Cuts Of Meat

• Slow cooker ranch pork chops this is some of the best pork out there, and your taste buds will thank you for this easy and delicious recipe.
• Ham and potato casserole this is a great meal for the family. Its hearty, filling, and has incredible flavor.
• Slow cooker pork chops and gravy is a wonderfully delicious meal that is tender, falls apart easily, is rich with flavor, and comes out perfect every single time.

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Ingredient Notes And Substitutions

This is an overview of the ingredients you will need to make this easy pork tenderloin on the grill. Important notes and substitutions for certain ingredients are discussed. The full printable recipe, with amounts and specific details, can be found at the bottom of the page.

Pork Tenderloin The star of the show in this recipe! This specific lean cut of meat allows for a delicious and juicy pork tenderloin. Make sure you are buying pork tenderloin. Pork loin is a different cut of meat, much more like a roast, that takes far longer to cook.

Apple Cider Vinegar This is the main ingredient in the marinade and will give that pork a nice tangy vinaigrette flavor.

Dijon Mustard The acidity and bitterness in Dijon Mustard gives the best results when marinating meat.

Brown Sugar The brown sugar will give the pork marinade a sweet, rich, flavor.

Seasoning The Pork Loin Before Grilling

There are many options available to you for seasoning a pork loin before you grill it. While there is a wide range of seasoning that you can use, we recommend seasoning your pork loin with a mixture of black pepper, mustard powder, garlic, onion, and paprika. However, if you think that another mix of ingredients would provide you with a better seasoning for your pork loin, then, by all means, go ahead with it.

You can prepare your own seasoning and still follow the cooking instructions provided by us for cooking the perfect pork loin on a gas grill.

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