Grilled Pork Tenderloin Recipe
A two-zone grill method keeps this grilled pork tenderloin juicy from edge to edge; seared for color, finished over indirect heat, and on the table in under 30 minutes. Pull it at 145°F and rest it five minutes: that's the whole secret.
Ingredients
- 450–550 grams pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder
- 1–2 tablespoons BBQ sauce optional glaze
Instructions
- Set up a two-zone grill: one side on high heat, one side off. Preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grates.
- Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Rub all over with olive oil.
- Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, pepper, and thyme in a small bowl.
- Coat the tenderloin evenly in the seasoning blend.
- Place in the hot zone. Sear 2 minutes per side, rotating to hit all sides, for about 8 minutes total.
- Move to the cool zone. Close the lid and cook 12–18 minutes, turning once halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F at the thickest part.
- Optional: Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 2–3 minutes on the cool side.
- Remove from the grill. Rest 5 minutes before slicing into medallions.
Video
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Don't skip patting the tenderloin dry before oiling and seasoning. Moisture on the surface is the enemy of a good sear.
Start checking the internal temp at the 10-minute mark on the cool side, not at 18 minutes. The tapered end of a tenderloin cooks faster than the thick center; measure at the thickest point only. - If you're glazing with BBQ sauce, apply it on the indirect side with the lid closed. Brush it over direct heat and the sugar burns before it caramelizes.
- On a cold or windy day, add 3–5 minutes to the indirect cook time. The grill has to work harder to hold temp outdoors when the ambient temperature drops.
Nutrition
Serving: 4ouncesCalories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 24gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 691mgPotassium: 489mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 339IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 2mg
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
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