With only 4 simple steps, you can prepare grilled pork tenderloin that is tender, juicy, and delicious thanks to a marinade of garlic, lemon, and dijon.
If you enjoy grilling, you should try our Super Easy Grilled Chicken or Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple the next time. Pair these dishes with an Easy Fruit Salad for the ideal summer side dish.
Or, if you’re looking for a classic, try our beloved brown sugar and garlic oven-baked pork chops!
Even if this is your first time trying out pork recipes, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to grill pork tenderloin. Grilling pork tenderloin is easy and delicious, and probably a lot easier than you would imagine. Tenderloin is a great main course for feeding a hungry family and, once you’ve prepped the meat for grilling, it is a quick weeknight dinner.
Like most marinades, this one needs to sit for a while: combine kosher salt, vegetable oil, honey, mustard, minced garlic, and black pepper; place them in a plastic bag with the pork; then, for at least four hours, put your feet up and pay no attention to the tenderloin.
The cook time will vary depending on how thick the cut of meat is, so keep checking the tenderloin’s temperature to ensure it is cooked through after it has sat for a while.
- ¼ cup olive oil.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce.
- 2 tablespoons honey mild and runny preferred.
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard either smooth or whole-grain, or a mix of both.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh or bottled are both fine.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- 2 cloves garlic minced.
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley.
Juiciest Pork Tenderloin Marinade
Marinated and Grilled Pork Tenderloin 🔗
Marinated and grilled pork tenderloin is a simple recipe with delicious results. But be careful not to overcook this lean cut or it will be dry. Follow our guide to get this one right.
Prep: 30min
Total: 1485min
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 292 kcal, Carbohydrate 19 g, Protein 38 g, Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 111 mg, Sodium 1716 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 16 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 – 2 pounds pork tenderloin (2 tenderloins)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instruction:
- Pay attention, there aren’t many steps involved in producing the best grilled pork tenderloin. This piece of meat is so tender, it doesn’t need a lot of help! Mix all of the marinade ingredients together and pour into a large Ziplock type bag. Place the tenderloins in the bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Place the bag in the refrigerator and marinade for at least an hour, up to 24 hours.
- Remove the tenderloins from the marinade about 30 minutes before you are ready to grill and allow to gently warm up on the counter.
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Now we have a tenderloin that has been soaked in some great flavors, we need to make sure we don’t screw it up on the grill! The key to properly grilling a pork tenderloin is to evenly cook the pork through by grilling each of the four sides. This cut of pork is tubular, so we want to roll it to each of the four sides while we grill.
- Once the grill is heated, place the tenderloin on the grill and grill the first side for around 5 minutes (times vary per grill, you are looking for a nice crust to form like shown in the photo, but not too much charring!).
- After 5 minutes, roll the tenderloin onto the the next side and grill for another 5 minutes.
- You know the drill now, 5 minutes per side, until an instant thermometer reads around 140 degrees at the middle of the pork tenderloin.
- Allow the grilled pork tenderloin to rest on a platter for about 10 minutes covered loosely with a piece of aluminum foil before you slice into it. The rest period should get the temperature to just barely a perfect 145 degrees.
FAQ
How do you season a pork loin for the grill?
The tenderloin should be rubbed with a mixture of 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Set the tenderloin aside while you heat the grill.
How do you keep pork tenderloin from drying out on the grill?
Use a marinade Meat is tenderized and can better retain moisture when the muscle fibers and connective tissue are broken down by marinades, which is a great way to add flavor and moisture to lean cuts like pork tenderloin.
How long can you safely marinate pork tenderloin?
Boil used marinade before brushing it on cooked meat; discard any uncooked leftover marinade. Pork, beef, lamb, veal, or game animals like venison can all be marinated for three to five days in the refrigerator in a covered container.
How long should you grill a pork tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin cooks in 12 to 15 minutes on a gas grill or charcoal grill over medium heat (roughly 350 degrees F). Pork tenderloin does not become more tender the longer it cooks, unlike tougher cuts of pork that require low and slow cooking (like this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork).