This post is sponsored by the National Pork Board. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
This Meaty, Smoky, Herby Grilled Pork Tenderloin Hits the Spot, Always.
Also known as the pork filet, the long, lean pork tenderloin is the crème de la crème of pork loin cuts! It’s as lean as can be, even giving plain, skinless chicken breast a run for its money in terms of health and lightness! It’s also, as the name of the cut suggests, naturally tender. The trick is to not overcook it! A quick cooking technique is what you want when it comes to cooking a pork tenderloin and there’s nothing quite like the quick heat of the grill for ensuring that this superdeluxe cut turns out perfectly every time. Quick, healthy, lean, tender and juicy—you’re getting the idea, right? Pork tenderloin is a piece of meat that majorly deserves a spot in your regular dinner (or dinner party) rotation! This grilled pork tenderloin not only delivers on flavor, but can help celebrate the togetherness with family and friends we all crave and cherish after the last year we’ve had.
For this easy grilled pork tenderloin recipe, we spice it with a simple rub and serve it with sweet grilled carrots (So basic! So genius! So deliciously caramelized!) and a Moroccan herb sauce that you’ll want to slather on just about everything!
For more pork cooking ideas and inspiration, visit pork.org!
A Simple Grilled Pork Tenderloin Rub
And when we say simple, we really mean it. This super basic, pantry-focused pork tenderloin rub is kind of like salt and pepper, plus. We rub it all over the tenderloin and toss it with the carrots before they hit the grill, too, so it does double-duty! It’s not fussy, but it does the job! Here’s what’s in our easy grilled pork rub:
- Salt
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
The Best Sauce for Grilled Pork Tenderloin? Meet Chermoula!
Vibrant and fresh, chermoula is a traditional North African herb sauce that’s often served with seafood but is good with most anything! It’s bright and summery—it’s a natural pairing for other simple, delicious summer foods, like this grilled pork tenderloin. What is chermoula made of? Well, fresh herbs and usually a combination of cilantro and mint, sometimes with parsley added, too. Garlic is usually in the mix, as well as cumin. Citrus is a must, too! Either preserved lemon juice—it’s North African, after all!—or regular lemon juice. Some people add saffron or cayenne for a little heat, but we’ve opted to keep things fresh and herb-forward. Here’s what’s in our chermoula recipe:
- Olive oil
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Cumin
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Salt
How To Grill Pork Tenderloin
As with all pork recipes, this one begins and ends with two things—a high-quality piece of pork and pulling that piece of pork off the heat at the right time! Pork should be meaty, juicy and moist—not dry at all. If it’s dry, it’s been (devastatingly) overcooked. To make sure yours is a truly perfect grilled pork tenderloin, keep in mind that 145°F is the internal temperature you’re looking for. As soon as you see that pork tenderloin temp, your meat is DONE, so pull it off the grill! Let it rest for at least three minutes after you remove it from the heat. After that—dig in! Here’s how to make the greatest grilled pork tenderloin ever:
- Make the chermoula! Stir together olive oil, cilantro, mint, cumin, garlic, lemon juice and salt.
- Mix up our simple pork rub! Simply stir together salt, paprika, pepper and garlic powder.
- Rub the pork tenderloin with said spice blend! Toss the carrots with it, too.
- Grill the pork tenderloin! Lay the tenderloin on the grill. Turn it ever few minutes until the entire tenderloin looks done and has reached an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Grill the carrots! Do this as you grill the pork. Simply lay on the grill and cook until their tender and a bit charred.
- Serve! After a few minutes rest, slice the pork and serve it with the seasoned, grilled carrots and lots of chermoula for slathering and dipping.
Tools You’ll Need
More Pork Tenderloin Recipes to Try
Healthy, Easy and Luxurious All at a Once? Must Be Pork Tenderloin!
Serve it to family, serve it to company, or just serve it on a Tuesday to treat yourself. Whatever you do, try this super easy, super delicious pork tenderloin recipe, and let us know how you like it, OK? Share a photo and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so that we can see your stuff! Happy eating!
