Is There A Difference Between Pork Loin And Tenderloin
Yes! Theres definitely a big difference in these two cuts of meat, so unfortunately you cant swap one for the other. A pork loin is much larger and takes longer to cook, so its better for oven roasting or cutting into chops. A tenderloin is small, thin, and has a more delicate texture thats perfect for grilling.
Meat Fire Flavor Do We Have Your Attention We’re Talking All About The Art Of Grilling Perfectly Juicy Pork Tenderloin
Fire up your grills and grab a beerbecause its time to grill up some juicy pork tenderloin. Wait. You say youve never grilled pork tenderloin before? Well, youre in for a treat! Not only is this pork tenderloin ultra-tender, but its also full of flavor thanks to an Asian-infused sweet and spicy marinade. Intrigued? Drooling? Us too.
Keep reading to learn how to grill pork tenderloin step-by-step.
Simple Bbq Seasoning Rub
Dont you just love recipes where you have the ingredients already on hand? For this recipe, you likely already have the ingredients in your pantry and spice rack. They are:
- Brown Sugar
- Vegetable Oil
The preparation is as simple as mixing all the dry ingredients, coating the pork with vegetable oil, the rubbing in all the seasoning mix.
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Why You Should Be Grilling Pork Tenderloin
- So flavorful: looking for a flavorful way to cook pork? This is it. The combination of the dry rub, marinade, and charred grill marks make this pork so flavorful.
- Healthy: is pork tenderloin healthy? The answer is yes! Its high in protein and lower in fat.
- Inexpensive: lucky for you, pork tenderloin is a pretty inexpensive cut of meat.
- High protein: per serving this recipe has 32g of protein.
The Best Pork Tenderloin Marinade
This pork tenderloin recipe starts with a flavorful marinade. Like my Pork Chop Marinade, not only does the marinade add flavor but it also tenderizes the pork.
- Olive Oil: Helps to transfer the flavors of the other ingredients to the pork and prevents the meat from sticking to the grill.
- Soy Sauce: One of my favorite flavor-packed marinade ingredients! I recommend using a low sodium soy sauce.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up the flavors and helps to tenderize the meat.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps the marinade to caramelize on the pork as it cooks. You can substitute honey, or omit the sweetener if you prefer a sugar-free recipe.
- Dijon Mustard: Brings so much flavor! Youll love the subtle tanginess that it brings to the marinade.
- Garlic: For that irreplaceable fresh garlic flavor.
- Dried Oregano: Italian seasoning also works well here.
- Salt and Pepper: To make all of the flavors pop.
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Make Sure Its Pork Tenderloin Not Pork Loin
Pork tenderloin and pork loin are two different cuts of meat. Pork tenderloin is very lean, long and narrow usually about 1.25 1.75lbs each. Pork loin is shorter, has a larger diameter and is from a different part of the pig, it also requires different cooking times. So for this recipe, make sure the package clearls says pork tenderloin.
Tips For Prepping Your Grill
Theres a lot more to grilling then fire. When grilling pork tenderloin youll want to grill with a combination of both direct and indirect heat. Direct heat will be used first to give the pork a nice char that locks in flavor and moisture. Then, the meat will be moved to an area of your grill with indirect heat. The pork will roast slowly, covered, in the grills circulating heat until it reaches the proper internal temperature. Learn more about direct and indirect heat.
- Charcoal Grill: To prep your charcoal grill for indirect and direct heat, youll want to pile your charcoal to one side of the grill and leave one side of your grill bare without any charcoal below it.
- Gas Grill: To prepare your gas grill, turn one side of your grill up to medium-high heat and then leave another half off your grill off, or set to its lowest heat setting.
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Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is quick and easy to cook, and in this quick and easy recipe the BBQ flavor starts as a marinade, but then turns into a sauce that you can mop up at the end. Turn this grilled pork tenderloin into a formal dinner, or slice it up and make a quick BBQ pork sandwich for a more casual meal.
BBQ Pork Tenderloin Dinner
Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin is a very easy dinner to prepare. Whether you dress it up on a dinner plate, or dress it down into a casual, but delicious sandwich, there are few cuts of pork easier to cook than pork tenderloin. Most of the time, we slice pork tenderloin into medallions to sauté on the stovetop or roast it whole in the oven, but this recipe takes it out onto the grill, giving it some attractive markings and caramelizing the sugars in the marinade. That makes it easy AND delicious.
Pork Tenderloin Marinade
The marinade for the pork tenderloin is very easy. Simply stir together all the ingredients youd find in your favorite BBQ sauce ketchup, mustard and cider vinegar, stir in some fresh thyme and olive oil, and season it with soy sauce and freshly ground black pepper. The sugar that is always a component of BBQ sauce comes later.
How Long to Grill Pork Tenderloin
Resting is Important!
Temperature for Pork Tenderloin
Sauce for BBQ Pork Tenderloin
Ultimate BBQ Pork Sandwich
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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Sweet & Spicy Bbq Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Posted on Last updated:
This BBQ grilled pork tenderloin recipe is equally perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or weekend cookout! A simple combination of olive oil, pork rub, and your favorite BBQ sauce results in a sweet and spicy grilled tenderloin thats amazingly succulent and juicy
This recipe was created in partnership with the Ohio Pork Council all opinions and text are my own. Thanks for supporting me and the brands I love!
What Is The Best Way To Cook Pork Tenderloin
Because it is small and tender cut of meat, it is easily adapted to most cooking techniques. It can be cooked quickly at high temperature and still be just as moist as it is cooked low and slow in the slow cooker.
The cooking method you choose for your pork tenderloin will depend largely on your preferences and the time you have, so Ive included recipes for all methods in the list below.
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Grilled Pork Tenderloin Commonly Asked Questions
Do I need to flip the tenderloin once its placed on the grill?
Yes, to ensure your pork cooks evenly, youll want to flip it over using long steel tongs every 4 minutes.
How do I know when this recipe is done?
Grilling time will vary depending on the thickness of your tenderloin. To ensure it is cooked through, we recommend using a meat thermometer to check that the thickest portion of the meat reaches an internal temperate of 145° Fahrenheit before pulling it off the grill.
How do you keep pork tenderloin from drying out on the grill?
Letting the pork marinate and continuously basting it while cooking is the secret to keeping it from drying out. The liquid helps to break down the muscle tissues and connective fibers in the meat which helps to tenderize it and allows it to more easily retain moisture while cooking.
What should I serve with marinated tenderloin?
One of our favorite things about that it pairs well with everything! Pair it with everything from roasted potatoes to air fryer broccoli for a show-stopping dinner.
Have You Tried This Recipe
Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag it @unsophisticook and hashtag it #unsophisticook!
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Id love to see how your grilled pork tenderloins turn out Tag me @Unsophisticook and @OhioPork on or use the hashtags #ohpork and #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
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Slow Cook Pork Tenderloin On Gas Grill
Slow Cook Pork Tenderloin On Gas Grill. Add the melted caramilk chocolate and beat until firm peaks form. Remove the roast from the oven and place onto a clean working surface. The secret to great pork tenderloin is the combination of a direct and indirect fire so prepare your grill accordingly, and make sure that the direct grilling section is very hot.
Image Source : https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/how-to-grill-a-pork-tenderloin-on-a-gas-grill/How to Grill a Pork Tenderloin on a Gas Grill 101
Checking The Internal Temperature Of The Pork
Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
TIP: Make sure you place the instant read thermometer close to the center of the meat. Be sure not to push it through to the cooking grate or you will get an incorrect reading.
I usually place it in the center and check it. I also check the thickest part of the pork loin.
I used a digital meat thermometer probe that stayed in the meat while it cooked on the grill. That is not necessary, just convenient. You can check it with a regular cooking thermometer or a digital food thermometer.
This is a great tool to have so you dont have to keep opening the grill.
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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.
Can I Bake This Recipe Instead
Of course, you can! We suggest searing your tenderloin on all sides in a cast-iron skillet before putting the entire skillet into the oven. Roast at around 400ºF for 6 minutes, then flip the tenderloin and cook for another 6-10 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 145ºF.
Check out our baked pork tenderloin recipe for more inspo.
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How To Cook Pork Tenderloin
This is where the nerves kick in, right? But, trust us, you can do this! The secret to succulent, juicy tenderloin is this: pork loin meat is considered done when it reaches an internal temp of 145°F. For years, the USDA demanded a pork internal temp of 160°F. Finally, in 2011, the guidelines were adjusted to reflect more recent research. At 160°F, that beautiful tenderloin will start to dry out, so your memories of botched pork experiences may stem from the olden days when people were essentially told by the USDA to overcook their pork. Now, we know better!
The bottom line: whether youre cooking your pork tenderloin on the grill, or in the ovenour easy pork tenderloin recipe includes instructions for both methodsjust remember that a 145°F pork tenderloin temp means DONE, so pull it off the heat! The USDA says you should let it rest for at least three minutes after you remove it from the heat . After thatdig in!
How Long To Grill Pork Tenderloin
Are you ready to try your hand at grilling pork tenderloin? Get your ingredients in order first. Youll need some olive oil, a good dry rub , and your favorite BBQ sauce plus, of course, your pork tenderloins. Seriously, thats it!
Give your pork tenderloins a drizzle of olive oil, rubbing it on all sides. Sprinkle each with about two tablespoons of the pork rub, and work it in all over. Ive heard others say that, at this point, you should let your tenderloins sit for about 30 minutes before grilling, but honestly, Ive tried it both ways and havent found it to make a difference. So why wait? Just go ahead and plop them on your grill over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes per side.
Now is the time to whip out your digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the tenderloins. This is the key to a perfectly grilled pork tenderloin internal temperature trumps cook time. Our goal is to cook them to as close to 145 degrees as possible, which keeps the tenderloin super tender and juicy, with just a blush of pink inside.
Whoa, dont panic its absolutely OKAY for your pork to be a little pink after cooking! The guidelines for cooking pork were revised several years ago, and my friends at OhioPork.org have assured me that 145 degrees is more than sufficient for safe consumption. Now more dry, overcooked pork sounds good to me!
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Citrus Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Just saying citrus grilled pork tenderloin makes your mouth water. The tenderloin is one of the leanest and tenderest cuts of meat you can buy. But even with this fabulous cut of meat, . Even the short dip in the marinade that this recipe calls for will make the meat more juicy and flavorful. Grilling in the sun? Orange zest contains limonene, a chemical that may protect against skin cancer. Lemon zest has lots of calcium and vitamin C for bone health. Lime zest contains antioxidants that slow down the buildup of plaque on artery walls. Healthy and delicious! Sounds like the start to a great summer grill party!
Yield: 4 Servings
- 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, zests, raw honey, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper until well blended.
Place the pork in the marinade and let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
Set up your barbecue grill and preheat to medium-high until hot. Clean it and spray with cooking oil spray.
Grill the pork for about 15 minutes per side or until cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
Transfer to a chopping board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to serve.
Serve the citrus grilled pork tenderloin over a bowl of your favorite salad.
Nutritional Information per Serving:
Calories: 350 Total Fat: 13.1 g Net Carbs: 11.6 g Dietary Fiber: 0.4 g Sugars: 10.5 g Protein: 44.9 g Cholesterol: 124 mg Sodium: 335 mg
How To Serve And Store Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Side dishes are always hard to choose. I suggest vegetables like Grilled Mixed Vegetables or Grilled Asparagus make an excellent side dish. We like to have potatoes of some type like Grilled Baby Potatoes. And fresh salad goes with everything.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Glazed Grilled Pineapple is a great dessert served with ice cream.
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Serving Grilled Pork Tenderloin
When Im hosting a party, I like to cut the meat into thick slices, then arrange the grilled pork tenderloin medallions on a serving platter and sprinkle on fresh herbs.
It looks gorgeous and you can bring it right to the table and let guests help themselves.
For simple weeknight meals, we let the pork rest on a cutting board, slice it up, then serve ourselves directly from there.
Can I Make Pork Tenderloin Ahead Of Time
You can prep the grilledpork tenderloin up to different stages instead of making all at once:
- Brine: you can brine the pork, rinse and pat dry, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 24 hours ahead of time.
- Rub: you can brine, rinse, dry then cover the pork tenderloin with the wet rub and tightly wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 12 hours.
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Prepare The Grill For Indirect Grilling
Because tenderloin is a lean cut, grilled pork tenderloin can dry out if cooked too quickly over a very hot fire. For the perfect grilled pork tenderloin, the indirect-grilling route is the way to go. This method entails cooking meat in a covered grill away from the heat source. Indirect cooking works whether you’re making pork tenderloin on a charcoal grill or a gas grill.
How To Select And Prepare Pork Tenderloin
If youre new to working with pork tenderloin, there are a few things you should know to set yourself up for success.
Pork Tenderloin vs Pork Loin
The first thing to know is that pork tenderloin is very different from pork loin. While theyre both cut from the same loin region of the pig, they have very different textures, taste and preferred cooking methods. The main way to tell them apart is by size. The pork loin is much larger and wider than the tenderloin and has a very distinctive fat cap on the top of the meat.
Meanwhile, the tenderloin is a smaller, longer cut of meat and usually slightly darker in color, too. The tenderloin comes from just below the pigs back fat and is the most tender cut of meat on a pig.
Choosing the Best Pork Tenderloin
When selecting a pork tenderloin, look for a piece of meat that is roughly one pound and contains some marbling throughout the meat. Marbling refers to tiny veins of fat running through the meat. The fat adds moisture to the meat which helps keep it tender as it cooks.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Removing the Meats Silver Skin
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