Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin holds a special place among our preferred cuts of meat, especially for beginner cooks. It's budget-friendly, readily absorbs rubs and marinades, and is generally straightforward to cook. While it's delightful roasted, this grilled version has earned a lot of admiration.Thanks to a magical combination of brown sugar, cumin, paprika, and lemon zest, this pork recipe stands as one of our all-time favorites. Grilling is a quick process, although the time will vary depending on the size of your tenderloin since they come in different sizes. To ensure it's not overcooked and remains juicy and tender, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature. Meanwhile, you can start preparing the herb sauce. Is it essential? Maybe not, but it's so incredible that it elevates the dish by 1,000 notches. To complete the meal, grill some vegetables like asparagus or zucchini to create an outstanding summer dinner. Leftover slices also work wonderfully in a sandwich—don't forget to save some sauce for spreading on the bread!
Ingredients
PORK TENDERLOIN
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp. packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin
HERB SAUCE
- 2 scallions, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced
- 1/2 c. fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp. fresh oregano leaves
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
PORK TENDERLOIN
- In a small bowl, whisk lemon zest, brown sugar, paprika, cumin, and salt. Stir in oil to create a paste. Spread paste all over pork.
- Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; preheat 5 minutes, or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill pork, turning occasionally with tongs, until charred and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 145°, about 20 minutes. (For larger tenderloins, bake in a 400º oven until desired temperature is reached, 15 to 25 minutes more.) Let rest 10 minutes.
HERB SAUCE
- In a medium bowl, stir scallions, parsley, oil, garlic, vinegar, oregano, and red pepper; season with salt and black pepper.
- Slice pork and arrange on a platter. Spoon herb sauce over top to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 36gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 565mgPotassium: 835mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gCalcium: 74mgIron: 4mg
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