Grilling Pork Tenderloin The Best Way

When it comes to cooking pork, bacon usually gets all the love, right? Shhh... don't say it too loud and start a riot, but grilling pork tenderloin is so much better.

Yes, I'm talking about that log-shape piece of pork. Have you tried it?

It's okay if you haven't. You can stop trembling because there's nothing to be afraid of here other than missing out on what professional chefs often refer to as the filet mignon on pork.

I figured that would get your taste buds dancing.

I've heard several people say that they're intimated by or just don't know what to do with a pork tenderloin. Is this you? I know I was a little gun shy with my first one. But prep and grilling turned out to be easy-peasy.

Multiple grilled pork tenderloin recipes later, and I have a recipe that's as easy as it is flavorful. It's seven steps including the marinade.

The pork tenderloin is just a big o' softy, literally. As its name suggests, it's one of the most tender cuts of pork. The flavor is mild, allowing a variety of seasoning options. Plus, it's also one of the healthiest cuts of pork since it has almost no fat. Zero guilt with this one, guys.

I'll pause for a minute and let you wipe the drool. Ready? Good, now let's get to grilling pork tenderloin.

Ingredients For This Grilled Pork Tenderloin Recipe

*Pro Tip*

How much do you like salt? Be cautious with the salt to taste and salt content in soy sauce. Soy sauce has a significant salt content. Kikkoman, for example, has a salt content of 307 mg per teaspoon. Low-sodium soy sauce still has around 192 mg per teaspoon. You can look for a no-salt soy sauce online. My local stores don't carry it in-stock. Let me know if your store does? I find that the soy sauce provides enough seasoning on its own and I don't use additional salt in this recipe.

Equipment

*Two Pro Equipment Tips*

• What happens when you poke a sharp object into a piece of meat? Yep, all the juices that make the meat flavorful, moist, and tender run out. We aren't flavoring the grill, people. So keep those grilling forks away. I prefer a metal grilling tong. What do you normally use?

• There are two knives listed because you'll need a chopping knife for your garlic and a slicing knife for your finished pork tenderloin.

Are you ready to grill some pork tenderloin? Me too. Ready, set, go.

Step 1: Prep And Mince The Garlic

You will need to mince the 4 garlic cloves. It's okay if you don't know how. We will get through this together:

• Lay out your cutting board.

• Separate four cloves from the garlic bulb.

• There will be a paper-like skin around the bulb; peel it away and trash it.

• Use the flat end of your knife to gently press down on each clove until the skin around it gives and can be removed.

•Slice each clove lengthwise so that you'll have a flat surface to chop and the garlic won't roll away from the knife.

• Lengthwise, make multiple slices into each piece.

• Crossways make multiple slices into each piece.

• Repeat the lengthwise, crossways slicing until you have the desired size pieces.

• Congrats, you've minced garlic.

*Garlic'y Pro Tip*

If you prefer, you can buy prepackaged mince garlic, which is usually found in the produce section of most grocery stores. I have used both fresh bulbs and prepackaged in this recipe. The deciding factor for me is always how much time I have. If rushed, I'll take the help from the store.

Step 2: Make The Pork Tenderloin Marinade

Combine the four ingredients in your ziplock bag to make the grilled pork tenderloin marinade:

*Juicy Pro Tip*

Turning your meat often and over medium-high to high heat helps to caramelize the outer crust without drying out the inner meat.

Step 7: Slice, Serve, Enjoy Pork Tenderloin

The last thing you want in these final moments is to damage a plate and have your significant other screaming obscenities. No. No. So, I'd suggest transferring your pork tenderloins to a carving, or cutting board, to slice it.

With a sharp slicing knife, begin slicing your tenderloins crossways, which is with the grain of the meat. The finished slices should look like a medallion.

What to serve with grilled pork tenderloin? What goes with pork tenderloin? I'd say, whatever you want! Vegetables, potatoes, however you want them prepared! The star of the show here is the pork tenderloin itself.

*Pro Tip*

Don't forget to wipe off your cutting board between slicing the garlic and slicing the tenderloins. It's nothing about contamination. Raw garlic is just much stronger than cooked garlic. Unless you really, really love garlic, it wouldn't be good to rub your cooked tenderloins across strong raw garlic that could overpower your tenderloin.

You Did It!

See, I told you it was easy-peasy. Who knew Heaven only had seven steps? Pork recipes aren't that difficult, the cook time isn't that long, the result is definitely worth it, and you can use the new knowledge to expand your horizons and try, let's say, cooking pork chops with dry rub, making your juiciest pork tenderloin with bbq sauce, or you can even make simple chicken recipes your family favorites!

I hope you enjoyed grilling your juicy pork tenderloin as much as I enjoyed sharing the recipe.

What'd you think? Did you try it with or without the marinade step? Did you have any problems mincing the garlic, or did you opt to use the prepackaged minced garlic?

Here’s a video with even more tips and tricks on how to grill pork tenderloin, check it out!

Please leave any suggestions, results, or other thoughts in the comment section.

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