Grilled Asian Pork Tenderloin is juicy, tender and sure to be a weeknight dinner staple with its sweet and spicy glaze. No need to marinate, just sprinkle the rub mixture onto the pork and get'm on the grill!
WHY MAKE THIS RECIPE
- There are no marinade ingredients. This dinner is quick and easy to get on the table.
- There is no need to take a meat mallet to the pork. This pork tenderloin comes out tender and juicy every time!
- So, so much flavor.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH PORK TENDERLOIN
My favorite way to serve Grilled Asian Pork Tenderloin is with sticky white rice and steamed broccoli. It would also be delicious with zucchini or asparagus.
Keep the carb count low by skipping the rice and serving with sauteed cabbage.
TENDERLOIN VS.CHOPS
You could use a pork chop for this recipe, but I prefer pork tenderloin.
Pork tenderloin is the most tender cut of pork and takes on flavors of rubs, marinades and spices with ease.
Because pork chops are a super lean cut of meat, they can easily be over cooked. Just a couple minutes too long, in the oven or on the grill and they become chewy and tough.
Although, you don't want to overcook pork tenderloin either, there is more wiggle room with a tenderloin than a chop.
Pork chops will cook faster than a tenderloin, but you can slice ½" medallions from the pork tenderloin for a quicker cooking time. About 4 minutes per side.
HOW TO MAKE GRILLED ASIAN PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE
Rub
In a small bowl mix, 2 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper and ½ tsp cinnamon.
Rub spice mixture over each pork tenderloin. If I have the time, I like the refrigerate the pork after adding the rub. It gives the pork a little extra time to take on all the rub flavors.
Let pork sit and get to room temperature before grilling. This will help to ensure that the entire pork tenderloin is cooked evenly.
Sauce
In a small bowl, combine:
- ⅓ c Hoisin Sauce
- ¼ c Soy Sauce - I like to use low-sodium soy sauce.
- ½ tsp Mirin - Rice wine vinegar is a good substitution if you do not have any Mirin.
- 1 ½ tsp Sesame Oil
- ¼ c Honey - Substitute 2 tbsp brown sugar if you do not have any honey on hand.
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tsp Ground Ginger - 2 Tbsp fresh ginger can be substituted for ground ginger.
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes - Use ½ teaspoon if you do not like spicy.
Warm sauce on stove top or in microwave before serving.
Grill
Clean grill with canola oil and preheat to 350 degrees F.
Be sure the grill is hot. Grill pork tenderloin for 2-3 minutes per side before rotating. Continue cooking and rotating on the grill until the internal temperature of the tenderloin reads 145 degrees F. Should take approx. 20-30 minutes.
Baste two tablespoons of the sauce on each tenderloin 2-3 minutes before it comes off the grill.
Remove from the grill and let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes. On a carving board slice pork and place pork tenderloins on a serving platter. Drizzle remaining sauce over pork.
Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
TIPS FOR MAKING GRILLED ASIAN PORK TENDERLOIN
- Use a meat thermometer to insure that the meat does not become over cooked.
- This recipe can be made in the oven. Place the pork in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes.
- Either a gas or charcoal grill can be used to make this pork tenderloin recipe.
- Quick cooking option: Cut pork into ½" medallions, grill on each side for approximately 4 minutes.
Other great dinner options:
