This will become your go-to recipe for marinating and grilling pork tenderloin. The marinade stirs up in minutes and infuses wonderful flavor to the pork tenderloin before it’s grilled to perfection.
Pork tenderloin is one of our favorite cuts of meat to cook on the grill. It’s lean and flavorful all on its own and we sometimes use just a spicy rub on the surface of the meat. But, more often than not, we use one version or the other of this marinade recipe and let it sit in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few hours before grilling.
Using a bit of pineapple juice in the marinade makes it a natural to pair with grilled pineapple slices. We usually set aside just a little bit of the marinade to brush on the pineapple slices, but if you forget don’t worry. Fresh pineapple is absolutely delicious after a few minutes on the grill completely unadorned.
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This pork tenderloin recipe is so versatile
Like many of the recipes you’ll find here on Biscuits and Burlap, this one is very versatile. We’re big believers in using what you have on hand whenever possible. Our Veggie Foil Packs are a great example and would be a perfect side dish with this pork.
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A few substitutions/alterations that would be just fine:
- Don’t have fresh ginger? Just use ground ginger remembering that it’s stronger, so you won’t need much.
- Light or dark brown sugar are both perfectly good in this marinade.
- We like toasted sesame oil, but regular is fine too.
- Use reduced sodium or regular soy sauce.
- Make one half the recipe and cook just one of the tenderloins from your package. Freeze the other one for later.
What is the safe cooking temperture for pork?
Since this has been a subject of controversy over the years we thought we’d make sure you’re up to date. The National Pork Board now recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, followed by a three minute rest. Only ground pork needs to be cooked to 160 degrees.
A pork tenderloin like this one will still be pink in the center at 145 degrees. If you and your family don’t want to see any pink you can go as high as 155 to 160 degrees, but anything over that will compromise the tenderness of the meat.
We recommend a digital thermometer to get an accurate reading. Click over here for the type we use. It can be used in a smoker, oven or grill with the lid closed. You can actually insert it into the meat before you start cooking and monitor the temperature as it rises.
Grilled and Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2-2.5 pounds pork tenderloin
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 green onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic pressed or bruised
- 1/4 teaspoon toasted seasame oil
- 1 inch piece ginger root cut into 3 pieces
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 8-10 slices fresh pineapple
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together except pork. Continue stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Reserve 2 Tablespoons of marinade to brush on fresh pineapple slices, if desired.
- Seal pork and marinade in gallon zip-loc bag, pressing out as much air as possible.
- Refrigerate for 6-8 hours or overnight.
- Remove pork from marinade and grill over medium high heat until meat thermometer reads 145-150 degrees.
- Remove from grill to rest and grill pineapples slices on hot grill about 2 minutes per side.
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We hope y’all love this pork tenderloin recipe as much as we do. Be sure to tag us with a photo of yours on Facebook or Instagram.
If you need a side dish that can cook on the grill right along with the meat be sure to check out Skillet Potatoes for the Grill. They can be cooked in the oven, too. But, if you’ve got the grill going why do the potatoes at the same time?
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This Pork Tenderloin looks so flavorful and delicious! I’m loving that glaze! YUM!
Thanks so much, Shanika.
This pork looks amazingly tender! So yummy and love the pineapple in that recipe!
Thank you so much, Michelle!
This tenderloin looks grilled to perfection for sure! So tender and flavourful! Love that you paired it with grilled pineapple.
Thanks, Marie!
This tenderloin recipe is so delicious! My whole family loved it!
Glad to hear it, Kristen. Thanks for letting us know.
Oh wow, this looks so juicy and tender! I have a hard time cooking pork without it coming out dry. I’ll definitely have to try this! Thank you!
Be sure to use a thermometer, Raia. It really helps.
Looks like the perfect meal for my family. I am always looking for great tenderloin recipes. Thanks!
We hope you enjoy, Julie!
Hi Pam,
I don’t have a grill. I KNOW, weird huh? Anyway, I want to try this recipe cuz it sounds DEEEEE-LISH. Could I use my oven instead?
Tks a bunch,
Deb
You could definitely cook it in the oven. Just put it on a rack in a baking pan and cook it to the internal temperature you like your pork. Enjoy!