My grilled pork tenderloin is a summertime staple! This easy recipe makes the juiciest, most flavorful pork tenderloin. The secret is my signature pork tenderloin marinade that brings the best savory, umami flavors!
Best Grilled Pork Tenderloin
When it’s grilling season, we take every opportunity to cook dinner outside on the grill. This grilled pork tenderloin recipe is one of our go-to easy dinner recipes. It’s so simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and my whole family loves it! Grilling the pork creates a mouthwatering caramelized crust on the outside, while keeping the center juicy and tender.
I love that this grilled pork tenderloin is easy enough to make any night of the week and also impressive enough to serve to company. I marinate the pork in my favorite Pork Tenderloin Marinade, a bold and vibrant combination of soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, garlic and dry seasonings. My Pork Rub is a fantastic alternative seasoning if you prefer a dry rub over a marinade.
Ingredient Notes
- Pork Tenderloin: This recipe calls for pork tenderloin, which is a long, thin cut of pork that is especially tender after cooking. It is different from a pork loin, which is wider and larger, takes longer to cook through, and, while delicious, is not as tender after cooking. Be sure to buy a 1 to 1.5 pound pork tenderloin for this recipe. You will have enough marinade to season two pork tenderloins.
Pork Tenderloin Marinade
My pork tenderloin marinade is made with simple, everyday ingredients. Like my pork chop marinade, it both flavors the pork and makes it very tender.
- Olive Oil: Helps to transfer the flavors of the marinade to the pork and prevents the meat from sticking to the grill.
- Soy Sauce: Brings salty, umami flavor. I recommend using a low sodium soy sauce.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up the flavors and helps to tenderize the meat.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps the marinade to caramelize on the pork as it cooks. You can substitute honey, or omit the sweetener if you prefer a sugar-free recipe.
- Dijon Mustard: You’ll love the subtle tanginess that it brings to the marinade.
- Garlic: I use a whole six cloves for lots of fresh garlic flavor.
- Dried Oregano: Italian seasoning is a great substitute!
- Salt and Pepper: To round out the flavors.
Find the printable recipe with ingredient amounts below.
How to Grill Pork Tenderloin
Plus, my best tips for grilling this tender cut of meat!
Whisk together the marinade ingredients. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade in a separate small dish to brush on the pork partway through cooking.
Marinate pork tenderloin. First, trim any silver skin off of the pork tenderloins. Then place the pork in a large zip-top bag, pour the marinade in the bag, and seal. Squish the bag a bit to make sure all of the meat is coated in the marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
Grill it! Heat an outdoor gas grill or charcoal grill to medium heat. I use medium heat, not hotter, to prevent the outside from burning before the center is cooked through. Grill the tenderloins for 15-25 minutes, turning every few minutes, until the center of the pork reaches 145° F. When the pork is almost done, brush it with the reserved marinade to give it some extra flavor. Try not to overcook it, so it stays tender and juicy.
Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes on a clean plate or cutting board, then slice and serve. The rest time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, giving you a juicier pork tenderloin. The internal temperature of the pork will also rise a few degrees while it rests, due to carryover cooking.
How to Tell When Pork is Done
How long it takes for a pork tenderloin to cook through on the grill will depend on its size and the temperature of your grill. The best way to tell when it is done is to use an instant read thermometer to test the internal temperature of the meat. According to the USDA, whole cuts of pork should be cooked to 145° F and then allowed to rest for at least 3 minutes before serving. Cooking the pork tenderloin to 145 degrees will ensure that it is tender and juicy. Pork may look a little pink in the center at this temperature.
What to Serve with Grilled Pork Tenderloin
This is the fun part! I have so many fresh, vibrant side dishes that I like to serve with this grilled pork tenderloin! Here are my favorite combinations:
- Strawberry Spinach Salad (pictured in the photo below) and Grilled Asparagus
- Zucchini Casserole and Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Cucumber Tomato Salad and Drop Biscuits
- Corn on the Cob and Potato Salad
More Favorite Grilling Recipes
Grilling recipes are some of my favorites to create and share with you! Here are a few more that we make often for easy dinners:
Made this recipe? I’d truly appreciate if you leave a comment and star rating below! Your review will help others who want to try this recipe. Thank you! 💛
Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano, or Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pork tenderloins, 1 to 1.5 pounds each
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, dried oregano, salt and pepper until well combined. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade in a separate small dish to brush on the pork partway through cooking.
- Trim any silver skin off of the pork tenderloins. Place the pork in a large zip-top plastic bag. Pour the marinade into the bag with the pork and seal.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
- When you are ready to grill the pork, heat grill to medium heat. Place the pork tenderloins on the grill and discard any used marinade. Grill over medium heat with the grill closed for 15-25 minutes, turning every few minutes, until the center of the tenderloins reaches 145° F. The cook time will depend on the size/thickness of the tenderloins. When the pork is almost cooked through, brush with the reserved 2 tablespoons of marinade.
- Let pork rest for 5-10 minutes on a clean plate or cutting board before slicing and serving.
I originally shared this recipe in June 2022. Post updated with new photos and more helpful tips May 2025.
Thanks for the recipe and the proper guide!
Absolutely delicious marinade for pork! Seasonings are perfect.