Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin Recipe - Plating Pixels (2024)

Learn how to grill pork tenderloin on a gas grill. You’ll make juicy grilled pork tenderloin with delicious smoky flavor and lovely sear marks. This easy grilled pork tenderloin recipe covers everything you need to know.

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Pork tenderloin is a lean protein that’s wonderful on the grill. It’s simple, versatile, and flavorful. While roasting may be a common method, I like to grill it in summer for a nice smoky flavor, delicious sear marks, and tender pork.

That’s right, pork can be juicy and tender on a grill and is very easy to cook with a few simple steps and tips I’ll share.

How to Grill Pork Tenderloin

Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below with photos to learn how to grill pork tenderloin.

1) Let sit at room temp and season

It’s best to let meats sit at room temp for about 30 minutes before cooking for more even cooking.

Pro tip: Season the pork during this process. This allows the flavors to soak in more. If you use salt or a seasoning with salt, it will start to break down the meat proteins, bring moisture towards the surface, and create more juicy pork.

Alternately, you can purchase pre-seasoned pork tenderloin to save time and create unique flavor options. I’ll share one of my favorite options for this later in the post.

Seasoning options: A simple seasoning of salt and pepper is great for most meats, but there are many ways to add additional flavor.

Try some of the following pork tenderloin seasonings:

  • All-seasoning salt
  • Paprika
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Greek seasoning
  • Italian seasoning
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Lemon pepper
  • Brown sugar
  • Cowboy rub
  • Garlic salt, garlic powder, or crushed garlic

2) Pre-heat, clean the grill and lightly grease

Turn the gas grill on to medium heat, or 400° F, and let heat for about 10 minutes.

Scrape grill clean with a grill brush. This helps prevent the meat from sticking and is better for food safety.

Lightly grease the grill with cooking oil right before adding meat, which also helps prevent sticking.

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3) Place pork on the grill

Grill the first side: Place pork loin on the lightly greased grill. Close the lid and grill 4 to 5 minutes, or until the bottom is browned with sear marks.

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4) Rotate and cook the other sides

Rotate tenderloin, close lid, and grill 4 to 5 minutes more on each remaining side. This will sear all four sides of the pork for a total of about 20 minutes.

Pro tip: It the meat is searing too much and the inside hasn’t reached the safe temp, you may have the grill at high heat. Reduce heat and rotate more often, or move the meat to the side of the grill.

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5) Check internal temp

The internal temp needs to reach at least 145° F to be safe. This is medium rare and I find this is the ideal doneness for juicy pork. You can cook to your preferred doneness as listed later in this post.

Note: With thermometer inserted, check internal temp after about 15 minutes. If it reads 145 F then it’s cooked and can be removed.

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6) Let rest and serve

Let grilled pork tenderloin rest for3 minutes under tented foil at room temp before serving. This will help hold in moisture and keep the pork juicy. Slice and serve as desired.

Tips for grilled pork tenderloin

  • Bring the pork to room temp: As with most meats, you want to bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before grilling. Otherwise, the outside may char before the insides can evenly cook.
  • Pre-season: Generously coat both sides of the pork loin with salt and black pepper, or other preferred seasonings. Or use pre-seasoned pork loin, which is recommended in the section below.
  • Preheat the grill: Preheat the gas grill on medium. The grill should be hot before you add meats to prevent sticking and create nice sear marks.
  • Grease the grill: Lightly grease with cooking or olive oil just before adding the meat to help prevent sticking.
  • Close the lid when grilling: This builds up heat inside and evenly cooks the centers. The outside will still sear.
  • Add or reduce cooking time depending on the thickness of the meat.
  • Don’t overcook: Cook pork just to the desired doneness. Internal temps are listed in the section below.
  • Let rest before serving: Let sit at room temp at least 3 minutes to hold in more juices.

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Answers to common questions

Pork loin vs tenderloin – which should I use?

These are both cuts from the back area, but the size and texture vary.

  • Pork loin is thick and wide, similar to a roast. This is best for roasting, stuffing, or with sauces.
  • Pork tenderloin is long and narrow, similar to a fillet. It’s a very lean cut and great on its own with simple seasonings or a marinade.

For grilling, pork tenderloin is best as it cooks quick. Pork loin is much thicker and can burn before the center cooks. However, it can be smoked or grilled over indirect heat. Learn more about the differences between the cuts.

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What type of pork to use?

A pork tenderloin fillet is best for grilling. Look for it in the pork section of your local grocery store. Season it with salt and pepper, or some of the spices and seasonings I suggested earlier in the post. To save time, use pre-marinated pork for easy summer grilling.

A favorite of mine is Smithfield Marinated Pork Loins. With flavors such as Garlic & Herb, Applewood Bacon, Slow Roasted Golden Rotisserie, and Garlic & Cracked Pepper Fresh Pork Tenderloin, it makes grilled pork easy. Walmart has high quality, Fresh Pork to help you find your favorite brand.

How long to grill pork tenderloin

A pork tenderloin that’s roughly 3-inches thick takes about 16 minutes to cook on the grill over medium heat. Rotate and grill all four sides about 5 minutes each to evenly sear.

Pro tip: Thickness affects grilling time, but length doesn’t. Reduce or add grilling time 2 to 3 minutes depending on the thickness of your tenderloin.

Want to try a different cut of pork? Learn how with my grilled pork chops guide.

Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin Recipe - Plating Pixels (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep pork tenderloin from drying out on the grill? ›

The marinade isn't just for flavor. The acid in the marinade tenderizes the pork. The salt in the marinade is how you keep pork tenderloin from drying out on the grill. (Check out this post on Grilled Chicken Breast for more information on the importance of salting meat prior to cooking it.)

How do you keep pork moist on the grill? ›

Brine the pork chops prior to grilling to help them retain moisture. These grilled pork chops are brined in pickle juice, which makes them extra tender and juicy. The vinegar in pickle juice helps break down the proteins prior to cooking, so they don't become tough.

What is the perfect doneness for pork tenderloin? ›

Cooking Temperature of Pork

Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor.

How long should pork tenderloin sit out before grilling? ›

Don't cook pork tenderloin straight from the fridge.

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 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.

How do you keep pork tenderloin moist? ›

Brine the pork to maintain moisture by soaking it in a mixture of salt and water, baking soda, vinegar or even milk. You can also pour hot water over the loin to shrink the rind, which can enable better absorption of brine, milk, oil or marinade.

How do you tenderize pork before grilling? ›

A brine is essentially just salt and water. It helps prevent moisture loss during cooking, and the salt also helps tenderize the meat from the inside out. If you want an extra juicy piece of pork, brine it before cooking. You can make an effective brine just with salt and water, but additional seasonings do help.

Is it better to cook pork tenderloin 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.

Should I sear my pork tenderloin before cooking it? ›

For the best, juiciest pork tenderloin, sear the pork on all sides in a skillet before finishing it in the oven. The spice blend you use is up to you (we love using a this steak seasoning or fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme).

Do you season pork before or after searing? ›

Season with salt and pepper: Just before cooking, sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper. Wait to do this until you're ready to actually put the meat in the pan, otherwise the salt draws moisture out of the meat and you'll need to pat it dry again.

Is it better to cook pork tenderloin covered or uncovered? ›

Cooking Pork Tenderloin in the Oven

Rub the exterior with olive oil and then add your preferred seasonings, whether that's simple salt and pepper or a blend of orange zest and rosemary. Once your tenderloin is seasoned, place it on a baking dish and pop it into your preheated oven, uncovered.

Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? ›

This is the cardinal rule for lean cuts of meat like pork tenderloin. At 400 degrees F, a 1-pound pork tenderloin will cook in 8 to 10 minutes after being seared on the stove.

Should I wrap my pork tenderloin in foil? ›

Cooking pork loin in the oven with foil is a foolproof method that ensures tender and flavorful results every time.

How do I keep my tenderloin from drying out? ›

Marinating the tenderloin in a mix of apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, onion powder, and salt makes it even juicier—find the full recipe for Honey-Mustard Pork Tenderloin here. The total time of this easy recipe clocks in at 20–26 minutes, which means it's entirely doable on a weeknight.

How do you moisten pork tenderloin? ›

Greatist suggests pouring a bit of the leftover cooking juices, chicken stock, or water over the meat to help retain moisture. Pantry and Larder says covering the meat entirely with a wet paper towel will ensure the meat stays moist.

Should pork tenderloin be at room temperature before grilling? ›

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.

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