What To Serve With Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is lean and versatile! If you can brave the elements, you can grill pork tenderloin year-round.
Here are a few ideas of what to serve with it:
- Salad. Brussels Sprouts Slaw is a tasty green salad to serve with pork. For a different route, try Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta Salad or Healthy Potato Salad.
- Slaw. Pork and coleslaw are besties. This Healthy Coleslaw is fantastic.
- Creamed Corn. For a true comfort meal, serve your grilled pork tenderloin alongside Crock Pot Creamed Corn.
What To Serve With Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, steak rub, etc.
Directions
Notes
- I don’t recommend marinating the pork in anything containing sugars as it will burn while searing the outside of the pork.
- I like to serve my grilled pork tenderloin with Honey-Balsamic BBQ Sauce or homemade Chimichurri Sauce.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
How To Cook A Whole Pork Loin On The Grill
Now that we have the difference between a pork loin and pork tenderloin out of the way, lets talk about the prep and cooking method to make sure that this cut of meat doesnt end up dry and flavorless.
The first thing that I like to do is to season the pork loin to not only add flavor, but to create a delicious crispy exterior. My favorite seasoning is my Homemade Pork Rub and Seasoning Blend which has been developed specifically for pork. I have included the base recipe here, but if you would like to customize it to your tastes, click over to the recipe to create a deeper, richer blend or a spicier blend.
Before I season the pork loin, I pat it dry so that the accumulated moisture from the package doesnt create an environment that will steam the pork.
Once the pork loin has been seasoned, I get my grill ready. As I mentioned above, I use a two-zone grilling method for the pork loin. Essentially, its grilled over a lower heat, around 300 350F, for about 1 hour and then reverse seared to create a crispy crust. This method ensures that the pork stays tender and the seasoning caramelizes and doesnt burn.
Place the pork loin on the cooking grate over the non-lit burner or where there is no charcoal. Grill for about 1 hour, checking at the 30 minute mark. Were looking for an internal temperature of 130F on an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the pork loin.
- Yield:68 servings 1x
- Category:Entrée
About Christine
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Grilled Pork Loin Roast
This recipe for grilled pork loin roast is a keeper. Not only does this recipe use my Award Winning Chicken Seasoning, but the added flavor from the grill can be considered an added flavor by itself. The chicken seasoning is an amazing blend of garlic, onion, rosemary, and thyme to give the pork a very traditional roast flavor.
My Chicken Seasoning is available for purchase from Patio Provisions, but if you dont have any on hand, you can also make your own Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning from my recipe on this site. It also combines garlic, onion, and a handful of dried herbs to give your pork lots of good flavor. Dont be fooled by the name, this chicken seasoning tastes great on pork too!
It wont take long to prep your roast for grilling. In fact, you only need to dedicate a few minutes to getting it ready to go on the grill. Begin by trimming any excess silverskin on the pork loin. Next, drizzle the outside of the roast with olive oil and season well with the Chicken Seasoning.
How To Grill A Pork Loin
Once prepped and seasoned, this pork loin is a breeze to grill. All you have to do is follow these three steps and youre well on your way to enjoying a perfect pork loin roast.
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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.
How To Make 7
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How To Know When Pork Is Done
- The best way to know if meat is cooked properly is to use an instant read thermometer.
- The FDA considers pork safe to eat at 145 degrees F. That said, the porks temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
- I typically pull my pork tenderloin off of the heat once it reaches 135 degrees F. After 10 minutes of resting, it gives me perfect, juicy pork every time. Ive never had it come out underdone.
Tips From The Betty Crocker Kitchens
- tip 1 When making pork roast on the grill, remember some pork suppliers inject pork roasts with a salt solution to increase shelf life and make the meat moist and flavorful. Read the package label and decrease the amount of salt in the rub if the meat you’re using has been injected.
- tip 2 For grilled pork roast, save some money by buying in bulk! Most club stores sell whole pork loin roasts for much less per pound than youd pay for pre-cut roasts or chops. If you have freezer space, buy a whole loin and cut it into 3-pound roasts, chops or smaller strips for stir-fry. Pat dry, wrap in plastic and place in a labeled freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- tip 3 Not sure how to grill using indirect heat? For two-burner gas grill, heat one burner to medium place pork on unheated side. For one-burner gas grill, place pork on grill over low heat. For charcoal grill, move medium coals to edge of firebox place pork on grill rack over drip pan.
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Dont Overthink Your Grilled Pork Roast
Ignore the details. A 15-minute spit shine will clean the house. No ones going to notice if you whip out the fancy paper plates.
Roasts go great with mashed potatoes and a roasted veggie. Seriously, dont stress it. I do this all the time.
Get on down to your market, gab with the butcher for a pork roast and get to lighting those coals.Its a good day for grilling. Now what are you waiting for?
I bet that roast was amazing! If youre inspired to cook up some more big cuts, check these recipes out. Grill it, smoke it, char it, eat it!
How To Grill Pork Loin
If there is any silver skin on the pork loin, this can be trimmed off with a sharp knife prior to cooking. Next, pat the meat dry with a paper towel and rub the loin with oil. The oil helps the seasoning stick when you dust it liberally with your seasoning mixture.
The best way to grill pork loin is to use indirect cooking. The basic premise of indirect cooking is to have your heat source on the opposite side of the grill from where you place your meat. This creates a more gentle heat around the pork loin, allowing it to more slowly come to temperature. If you set the pork loin directly over the heat source, the exterior would be dry, blackened, and burnt by the time the interior was safe to eat.
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Tips For The Best Grilled Pork Roast
- Cook Evenly:If your pork loin is not an even thickness, tie it with kitchen twine, spaced 2 inches apart, after you season it with the spice rub. This will ensure that your pork loin cooks evenly.
- Roast Before Covering: I highly recommend roasting your pork over direct heat before you cook it covered. This will help your pork brown perfectly every time.
- Grease Grill Grates: As usual, be sure to brush your grill grates with cooking oil so nothing gets stuck.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use an instant read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your pork. When it registers at 145°F, youll know your roast is done cooking.
- Rest the pork on a cutting board for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing this gives the meat time to reabsorb all the juices.
How To Grill Pork Tenderloin
This grilled pork tenderloin is one of those fairytale recipes in which incredibly simple prep yields gloriously tasty results.
The three most important factors to ensure you cook perfect, juicy grilled pork tenderloin are:
- DO NOT SKIP THE MARINADE. Yes, all caps, bold font. Marinade isnt just for flavor. The acid in the marinade tenderizes the pork. The salt allows it to retain more moisture.
- DO NOT OVERCOOK THE PORK. Yep, its that bossy all-caps again! Pork loin will not become more tender the longer you cook it. Once you overcook, its game over.
- Let the Meat Rest. Resting gives the juices time to reincorporate into the meat. If you cut the pork right away, all of those yummy, critical juices will run all over the plate, instead of back into your pork.
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Grilled Bbq Pork Roast
- pour out the brine and rinse the pork roast
- place on a baking sheet and pat dry
- sprinkle the rub over all sides of the roast and massage it in
- heat grill with a high heat
- place pork roast and allow to cook over direct flame for 10 minutes per side, on all sides, to sear in the juices
- remove from direct flame and cook on an indirect flame for 80 minutes
- brush all sides of the pork roast with the barbecue sauce and cook for 10 more minutes, or until an internal temp of just under 160 degrees F is reached
- remove from grill, cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes. (The internal temp of the meat will continue to rise to at least 160 degrees F
- slice thinly and serve with extra barbecue sauce
How Long Does It Take To Barbecue A Pork Roast
The question is not how long does it take to barbecue a pork roast. The question should be at what temperature is my pork roast done. As with all meat, the cooking time will vary. You should never cook a roast for a certain period of time you should cook it to the proper internal temperature. Having a good instant-read thermometer is critical to great barbecue. I used my Thermoworks Chef Alarm cooking alarm thermostat that is perfect for all types of roasts.
Preheat your grill on high heat, place the roast on the side of the grill that the heat is off and reduce the heat to medium-low, 325 350 degrees F.
You are going to want to cook your pork to an internal temp of 145 148 degrees F, depending upon your preference. Your roast will be slightly pinkish if you are close to 145 if let it go to 148, it will be less. We cooked ours to 148F and then let it rest.
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Pork Is Protein Packed
Pork is a great way to get protein into your diet, and its a delicious lean meat. Today, pork has a lot less saturated fat than it did a few short decades ago.
A three-ounce serving of pork loin has 24 grams of protein, plenty of iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, B12, zinc, and more. Its a great way to eat, stay full, and get the nutrients you need for a healthy heart and body.
The Safe Temperature For Grilled Pork Loin
Pork loin needs to cook until the internal temperature reaches 145-degrees.
We used to like ours more well done and we would cook it longer, until we tried it at 145-degrees. It is so much more tender and juicy. It doesnt taste dry or flavorless.
The family loves it when grilling to 145-degrees now. Give it a try if you havent already. I promise you will love it.
The meat will have a touch of pink at 145-degrees.
Allow the pork to sit for about three to five minutes before slicing.
The pork tasted perfect with the rub and had incredible flavor. You can also add your favorite bbq sauce on the side, as well as maple syrup, or favorite store-bought rub.
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How Long To Grill A Pork Loin
It takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to fully grill a 2-3 pound pork loin. For this recipe, the grill is preheated to 350 degrees F. With the grill running consistently at this temperature, the pork loin is cooked over indirect heat until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
Always remember to cook to temperature and not to time with meat. Keep an instant read meat thermometer handy and take the temperature periodically throughout the cook. Adjust cook time as needed, and keep in mind that smaller or larger roasts will have different cook times as well.
How Long To Grill Pork Loin
A 4-pound pork loin takes me 1 hour and 45 minutes to grill with a grilling temperature around 325 degrees. However, this isn’t an exact science since the size of your pork loin and grill temperature fluctuations will cause your grill time to vary.
Grilling Hack: My secret weapon when grilling roasts is this double probe digital thermometer. Seriously the best thing ever. I stick one probe into the thickest part of the pork loin to monitor the internal temperature and rest the second probe on the grill grate next to the roast to monitor the grilling temperature.
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Should You Try A Grilled Pork Roast
If you are a hockey puck burger or a well-done kind of cook, then chances are you havent made it this far down the food blog to learn about cooking a pork roast. It would be a waste of time and money for everyone involved. And just tragic.
But, for those of you looking to dabble and try something new, this is an excellent practice roast. Why? Its a big cut, which is trickier to cook.
A pork roast is cheap,like $40 less than the prime rib I picked up last week cheap. And its resilient. What better could you ask for when giving big roasts on the grill a go for the first time?
