Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Avocado Green Sauce

Fire up the grill because things are about to get real flavorful! This juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin will have you and everyone around the table mmm’ing at every bite! It’s made flavorful thanks to the Ultimate BBQ Rub, as well as a garlicky Avocado Green Sauce for topping the pork with.

This post was created in partnership with the Minnesota Pork Board.

The only Grilled Pork Tenderloin recipe you’ll need for your summer grilling.

My newest goal this Summer is to learn how to master the grill! I have decided that there’s no better time to achieve this goal, then right now with all of the extra time we are spending at home. Normally my husband runs the grill, and he really does a fantastic job at it, but I’ve decided that it’s time I learn too. So together, he and I created this Grilled Pork Tenderloin recipe for you. A recipe that even a beginner griller, like myself, can make.

This Grilled Pork Tenderloin recipe is a great way to kick-off summer grilling! It’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful and juicier than ever. I like to serve it with grilled asparagus from my backyard and Crispy Garlic Ranch Roasted Potatoes or a Massaged Kale Salad and baked or grilled sweet potato. And while I highly recommend not skipping the Avocado Green Sauce because it’s one of my most favorite sauces (that goes on everything plus it’s easy to make), it certainly is optional—you could also serve the pork with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Let’s talk about the rub. A mix between a marinade and a dry rub – it’s a wet rub.

Okay, this rub! You grilling guys and gals—it’s The Ultimate BBQ Rub! When creating this recipe, my husband and I tried a dry rub (or two) as well as a marinade. While both were very good, it wasn’t until we tested this ‘wet rub’ that we knew we created a blog-worthy recipe! This BBQ Rub can be used on all different kinds of meats, cuts of meats and even seafood. It has incredible flavor and the paste-like consistency of the wet rub really sticks to the pork nicely even while grilling. While it’s totally optional, if you want to take the flavor to the next level, you can apply the rub 30 minutes to 8 hours before grilling.

What’s the difference between Pork Tenderloin and Pork Loin?

While one would think these two cuts of meat are close to the same, that’s not the case. Pork loin and pork tenderloin are cut from different parts of the animal. Pork tenderloin is thin and small and about 1-1 1/2 lbs. in size, while pork loin is wide and can be fairly large in size—think a 2-5 lb. roast. One main difference is how you cook them. Pork tenderloin is best cooked over fairly high heat and quick while pork loin is best to be cooked slower and at lower to moderate temperatures. Both cuts are fairly lean.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Ingredients

• Pork tenderloins
• BBQ Spice mix – paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder (use smoked paprika or omit for less heat), sea salt and pepper
• Coconut sugar – omit for Whole30
• Lime juice – lime juice add so much flavor to both the BBQ Rub and Avocado Green Sauce
• Avocado oil or olive oil – recommend avocado oil for grill as it has a much higher smoke point than olive oil. We like Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil!
• Fresh herbs – recommend a mix of cilantro and parsley.
• Garlic – 1 -2 cloves depending on how garlicky you want the sauce.
• Avocado – avocado should be slightly soft to touch – similar to a feeling of a juicy peach that’s ready to eat.
• Crushed red pepper flakes – feel free to add more if you want a little extra kick.

For an incredible deal on our favorite Primal Kitchen Foods products, click here. 

How to make Grilled Pork Tenderloin

This recipes consists of 3 main steps:

• Step 1: Make the rub by combining all of the rub ingredients in a bowl. Stir until well mixed and paste forms. This can be made a day or two in advance.
• Step 2: Pat the pork with a paper towel to absorb as much moisture and liquid as possible. This will help the rub to stick on better. Smear the pork tenderloins liberally with the rub until all of the surface area is covered with a thick layer. Grill the pork to an internal temperature of 145℉. Before slicing into 3/4-1 inch thick pieces. Allow the pork to rest under a foil tent for 5-10 minutes.
• Step 3: While the pork is grilling, make the optional Avocado Green Sauce. This can be made a day or two in advance.
• Step 4: Serve the pork topped with Avocado Green Sauce and a couple of your favorites sides (see ideas below).

See detailed instructions below.

Sides that pair well with Grilled Pork Tenderloin

There are endless options when it comes to sides to serve Grilled Pork Tenderloin with. You can keep it simple by serving it with your favorite grilled or roasted vegetables, a side salad and/or grilled or baked sweet potatoes (or potatoes). Whatever you have on hand. If you’re looking for a little more here are 5 tasty sides that pair nicely with Grilled Pork Tenderloin.

• Garlic Ranch Roasted Potato
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Massage Kale Salad
• Creamy Broccoli Slaw
• Sweet & Smokey Brussels Slaw

For all of our salads and sides click here.

Other pork recipes

• One-pan Pork Loin with Brussels and Apples
• Chinese Pork Lettuce Wraps
• Easy Orange Pork Stir-fry
• Slow Cooker Carnitas
• Sausage Hash Brown Egg Muffins

A big thanks to Minnesota Pork for putting us up to the challenge to create this recipe and for sponsoring today’s blog post. I also want to take a moment to sincerely thank the Minnesota pig farmers (and all farmers) who are working hard to provide healthy food to our families even when times in the world are tough!

Recipe

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Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Avocado Green Sauce

Fire up the grill because things are about to get real flavorful. This juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin will have you and everyone around the table mmm’ing at every bite! It’s made flavorful thanks to the Ultimate BBQ Rub as well as a garlicky Avocado Green Sauce for topping the pork with.

Prep: 20 minCook: 20 minTotal: 40 minutes

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Servings: 8 servings 1x

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Ingredients

• 2 pork tenderloins (2 – 2 1/2 lbs.)

For the Ultimate BBQ Rub:

• 2 tsp. paprika
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. chipotle powder (use smoked paprika for less heat)
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 Tbsp. coconut sugar (may sub brown sugar or omit for Whole30)
• 2 Tbsp. avocado oil or olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice

For the Avocado Green Sauce (optional):

• 1/4 cup olive oil or avocado oil
• 1/4 cup lime juice (juice of about 1 medium lime)
• 1 cup fresh herbs, roughly chopped (mix of parsley and cilantro)
• 1–2 cloves garlic
• 1 medium avocado, peeled pitted and cut in half (slightly soft)
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (add more for more kick)

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Instructions

1. With paper towels, pat the pork tenderloins to absorb as much moisture as possible.
2. In a small bowl combine all of the BBQ rub ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Smear the pork tenderloins with the BBQ rub and spread out until evenly and fully covered – a nice thick layer.
4. Optional step – let the pork tenderloins marinate for 30 minutes to 8 hours.
5. Preheat grill to high heat, 450℉. Once preheated, place the pork tenderloins on the grill and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Then cook until internal temp reaches 145℉, flipping half way through (around the 10 minute mark). Grill time will depend on grill used and thickness of pork tenderloins. Most important part is that the internal temp reaches 145℉.
6. Optional step – while the pork is on the grill, prepare the Avocado Green Sauce by adding all of the sauce ingredients to a small food processor or blender, and blending until desired consistency is achieved, as chunky or as smooth as you’d like.
7. Once internal temp reaches 145℉ remove from the grill. Place the pork tenderloin on a clean plate and cover with a foil tent for 5-10 minutes. After the time is up, slice into 3/4-1 inch pieces.
8. Serve topped with Avocado Green Sauce and your favorite sides.

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Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe + ~2 Tbsp. sauce
• Calories: 210
• Fat: 12 g
• (Sat Fat: 2 g)
• Sodium: 440 mg
• Carbohydrate: 4 g
• (Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 2 g)
• Protein: 24 g

Dietary

Dairy-FreeEgg-FreeGluten-freeGrain-FreeNut-freePaleoWhole30

© The Real Food Dietitians

Recipe By: Stacie Hassing

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