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Marinated and Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin Recipe
We’re all about grilling easy and flavorful meals these days.
Marinated in our homemade sweet and spicy Honey BBQ Saucethen grilled to juicy perfection, this simple BBQ Pork Tenderloin is a summer staple.
Easy dinners are our go-to favorites during these sultry, humid dog days of summer and suffering through a few minutes at the grill is much better than warming up the whole house with the oven.
A simple protein like pork, with a side of easy vegetables, and we’re all set for dinner. Easy peasy is the name of the game and this simple Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin Recipe is the answer!
Pork tenderloin is a super easy cut of meat to prepare, cook, and serve.
When cooked correctly, it’s tender and juicy and loaded with flavor. We like to marinate pork tenderloin in our lightly sweet Honey BBQ Saucefor a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
When ready to cook, allow the meat to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before grilling. This will warm the center of the meat and allow it cook more evenly on the grill. When it comes to pork, nobody wants a beautiful char on the outside with an undercooked raw center.
One of the keys to mouthwatering, delicious, juicy, tender pork is to notovercook it.
Grab an inexpensive instant-read thermometer and never suffer through dried-out pork again. Allow the pork to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This helps keep the meat moist by letting the juices settle down and stay inside the meat where it belongs.
Serve with extra BBQ sauce, because the secret’s in the sauce!
You can use your favorite BBQ sauce but if you don’t have one, I highly recommend trying our Honey BBQ Sauce recipe. It’s easy and quick and has the right amount of tang to season the pork and the honey caramelizes beautifully on the exterior.
Baste once or twice and serve with additional sauce if desired. You’ll desire, trust me 😉
Thanks for PINNING!
Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
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Marinated in a our homemade sweet and spicy Honey BBQ Saucethen grilled to juicy perfection, this simple main course is a summer staple.
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins 1 ½ to 2 pounds total
- 1 cup barbecue sauce plus additional for serving
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Place the tenderloins in a large ziplock bag and cover with the BBQ Sauce. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
When ready to cook, set the tenderloins out at room temperature for 30-minutes.
Prepare the grill. Light all burners on high for 10 minutes. Leave the primary burner on high and turn the others off. Clean the cooking grates with a grill brush. Using tongs, lightly oil the grates with a clean paper towel dipped in vegetable oil.
Remove the pork from the sauce and place on the hot side of the grill. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are charred. Use any sauce from the ziplock bag to baste the pork when turning. Discard any remaining sauce after cooking the pork.
Once browned on all sides, move the pork to the cooler side of the grill. Continue to cook, covered, until the tenderloin registers 145°F on an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork, about 5-10 minutes.
Transfer to a carving board, tent lightly with foil and allow the pork to rest 10-15 minutes. Slice and serve with additional BBQ sauce if desired.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
Nutrition
Calories: 808kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 125g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 393mg | Sodium: 804mg | Potassium: 2487mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 119IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 6mg
Here are a few more of our favorite recipes to try this summer on the grill:
Easy Honey BBQ Sauce – great as a marinade or for basting and slathering on grilled chicken, pork or beef. Perfect for this easy Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin recipe!
Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) – a wonderfully messy, well spiced, delicious summer treat.Fresh sweet summer corn slathered in a mixture of mayonnaise, garlic, lime juice, chili powder and Cotija cheese then grilled to perfection. The end result is the perfect combination of salty, spicy, and tangy, and utterly delicious!
Grilled Cuban Mojo-Marinated Pork Tenderloin ~an easy and delicious overnight marinade with powerful flavors from the garlic, citrus and herbs. Grilled to perfection, this tender pork will garner praise from your gratefuldinner companions!
This Orange Barbecue Grilled Chicken Recipe is deliciously different and a breeze to throw together in a flash. We love the bright orange flavor and the hint of ginger and pineapple juice in the sauce. It’s lip smacking good!
FAQs
Pork tenderloin is also FAST.
- Unlike tougher cuts of pork that need low and slow cooking (like this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork), pork tenderloin does not become more tender the longer it cooks.
- Pork tenderloin cooks in 12 to 15 minutes on a gas grill or charcoal grill over medium heat (about 350 degrees F).
A marinade is a great way to add flavor and moisture to lean cuts of meat like pork tenderloin. Marinades work by breaking down the muscle fibers and connective tissue in meat which tenderizes it and also allows it to better retain moisture.
How long does it take to barbecue a 2 lb 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.
How long should pork tenderloin sit out before grilling? ›
Instead of cooking pork tenderloin straight from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you get started. Giving the meat a chance to warm up will ensure more even cooking.
How do you know when pork loin is done on the grill? ›
When grilled pork tenderloin is done, it has a mahogany coloring with a crispy exterior. The inside should be rosy-pink. Zone cooking and an instant-read thermometer are the two best ways to achieve this. Pork tenderloin should cook from anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes depending on its thickness.
How long does it take to grill a 1 lb pork tenderloin? ›
How long to grill pork tenderloin: Grill a ¾- to 1-pound tenderloin over medium-high indirect heat 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Grilled pork tenderloin temperature: An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the tenderloin should register 145°F.
What is the secret to tender pork loin? ›
If you're not confident in your cooking skills, there is one foolproof way to guarantee your pork ends up on the tender side, even if you cook it too long: Soak it in a brine or a marinade. According to Hazel, these kinds of preparations always produce the most tender outcomes.
How do you grill pork without drying it out? ›
Thick pork chops are grilled over high heat to develop flavor before moving to low heat to cook them gently—that's how you keep them from drying out.
Should pork tenderloin be cooked fast or slow? ›
The size and structure of a tenderloin make it perfect for cooking quickly on high heat. You want to be able to brown the outside while still keeping it a little pink on the inside.
Do you grill a pork loin fat side up or down? ›
Step 4: Place your pork, fat side up, in your prepared pan. Step 5: Add oiled/seasoned vegetables around your pork loin to make it a complete meal. Use vegetables that require longer cook times like potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and carrots.
If fresh pork has reached 145°F (62.8 °C) throughout, even though it may still be pink in the center, it should be safe. The pink color can be due to the cooking method or added ingredients.
How many will a 2 lb pork tenderloin feed? ›
One tenderloin usually weighs about 1 pound and serves 2 to 3 people. Pork loin is typically less expensive than pork tenderloin, but pricier than marbled cuts like pork shoulder.
How do you know when pork tenderloin is done without a thermometer? ›
Although thermometers are the best way to determine if your pork is done cooking, you can gauge the doneness of pork by the color of the juices that come out of it when you poke a hole in it with a knife or fork. If the juices that come out of the pork run clear or are very faintly pink, the pork is done cooking.
Does pork tenderloin need to be flipped? ›
Flip the pork tenderloin.
It's an extra step that ensures an even crust all around.
Should pork tenderloin be at room temperature before grilling? ›
Drying out
Meat juices inside can not react when we cook cold meat. We need room temperature for a juicy and tender steak. If you want to cook a tasty, delicious pork tenderloin in your oven, keeping all the flavors, you need to take it out of the refrigerator one hour before.
How long does it take to grill a 2.5 lb pork tenderloin? ›
Sear the loin for 5 minutes per side over direct heat. Then, move it to indirect heat. Cook the roast for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. The rule of thumb is 20 minutes of cooking time per pound.
How long to cook pork on grill at 350? ›
HOW LONG TO GRILL BONE IN PORK CHOPS
| Pork Chop Grill Temp | Bone In Pork Chop Grill Time |
|---|
| ½ in / 1cm thick | 1 in / 2½ cm thick |
| 350°F (177°C) | 10-12 min | 20-22 min |
| 400°F (204°C) | 9-10 min | 15-18 min |
| 450°F (232°C) | 7-8 min | 12-14 min |
May 5, 2019
Thin pork chops typically take 8 minutes to cook (4 minutes of searing on each side). Thick pork chops typically take about 20 minutes to grill to perfection - 8 minutes of searing over direct heat, plus 12 minutes of finishing over indirect heat.
Do you grill pork tenderloin direct or indirect? ›
Pork tenderloin is a great cut for the grill. A small pork roast, this piece of meat it amazingly tender if cooked right: that method is a hot sear over direct heat, then a slow finish over indirect heat. This process is going to give you a tender, juicy tenderloin with a crusty, wonderful surface.
