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    Home » Main Dishes » Pork

    Grilled Pork Tenderloin (78 cent/serving)

    Published: Aug 16, 2021 · Modified: Aug 16, 2021 by Jessica Fisher

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    PIN image of grilled pork tenderloin on white plate next to cheesy potatoes.

    Homemade spice blends are a cheap and easy way to add flavor and texture to your favorite grilled meats. Try this grilled pork tenderloin with its warm, spicy rub.

    Serve it alongside Cheesy Potatoes or Curried Potatoes for a hearty meal. It’s also good topped with Apricot BBQ Sauce and served alongside Creamy Coleslaw and Milk and Honey Cornbread for more casual, “down home” fare.

    sliced grilled pork tenderloin on a plate with cheesy potatoes and green beans. this …
    Jump to:
    • Why Make This
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Recipe Costs
    • More Great Pork Recipes
    • Tell us what you think!
    • Spice-Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin

    I’m not sure there’s an easier thing to do that grill pork tenderloin. I mean, seriously. Marinate or coat the meat in a rub, throw it on the grill until desired doneness, transfer to a cutting board, slice and serve. So easy and so delicious.

    I call this the poor man’s steak. It’s super affordable, sometimes even lower than $3/lb, making it a great dish for entertaining on a budget. I use this cut of pork in Dijon Pork Tenderloin, Pork Medallions with Sherried Shallot Sauce, and even in stir-fry.

    Why Make This

    It’s super simple. Rubbing pork tenderloin with a custom seasoning blend and grilling it over the fire is a super-simple, healthy way to serve it. And now that the USDA has lowered the safe cooking temp on pork, you can enjoy tenderloin that really is tender and juicy.

    It’s delicious! This seasoning blend which evokes a little Cajun flair goes great on any of grilled meats. The rub forms a flavorful crust that is mouth-wateringly good.

    It’s affordable. Buying spices in bulk and mixing up spice mixes yourself is a great way to save money and add flavor. Pork tenderloin is almost always cheaper than its beef counterpart, making this a very, good cheap eat.

    Ingredients

    pork tenderloin on sheet pan next to spices for spice rub.

    You don’t need much for this simple grilled pork tenderloin recipe:

    pork tenderloin – usually sold in 2-packs, each tenderloin should weigh ¾ to 1 pound each, serving 6 to 8 people. Stock up when you see it on sale and stash it in the freezer.

    spices – This spice rub contains onion powder, ground chile, salt, black pepper, thyme, paprika, and cayenne. It packs tons of flavor without being overly spicy.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Prepping grilled pork tenderloin is super simple!

    • spices in small ramekin on black table top.
    • stirring spices with spoon.

    1. Prepare the spice rub.

    Measure the spices into a small mixing bowl or dish. Stir until well combined.

    • hand in plastic bag rubbing on spice rub.
    • pork tenderloin covered with spice rub.

    2. Apply the rub on the pork tenderloin.

    Transfer the tenderloins to a tray. Spread the spice rub all over the surface of the meat.

    I like to put a plastic bag on my hand or a glove to make for easy clean-up. (And I don’t like how it feels. lol)

    • sliced grilled tenderloin on a black cutting board with carving knife.
    • sliced pork tenderloin on serving platter with large fork.

    3. Cook the meat on a hot grill.

    Cook the tenderloins over a hot grill until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 ° for medium and 160 ° for well done, about 20 to 30 minutes.

    Rest the meat for 10 minutes before slicing.

    FAQs

    What temperature should pork tenderloin be?

    In recent years, the USDA has adjusted their recommendations for cooking pork. Use a meat thermometer so that your final product has an internal temperature between 145 and 160°. See this chart for recommended cooking temps for pork.

    What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin?

    Pork loin and pork tenderloin are two different cuts of meat that should be prepared differently. The loin is from the back of the pig, from shoulder to leg and cut into chops and roasts. The tenderloin is from the loin area, tucked under the backbone. It’s more tender. T-bone pork chops include the tenderloin in a similar way to T-bone beef steaks.

    The loin is best braised like in this Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Sherried Mushroom Gravy, while you’ll get great results in grilling or stir frying tenderloin.

    Is pork tenderloin expensive?

    In comparison to other cuts of meat, pork tenderloin is incredibly affordable. I call it the poor man’s steak because it has that tender delicious flavor of a steak but at a fraction of the price.

    Recipe Costs

    Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.

    • pork tenderloin – $5.98 ($2.99/lb)
    • spices – $0.25

    Providing that you’re able to find pork tenderloin for less than $3/lb, you can expect to pay about $6.23 or 78 cent/serving for this tasty grilled pork tenderloin.

    Save more

    While pork tenderloin is already pretty economical, here are some of the strategies I use to make this recipe even moreso:

    • Meal plan around what’s on sale. Stock up on pork tenderloin when you see a sale. You can easily find it for $2-3/pound. It freezes beautifully, so don’t be afraid to stash a few in the freezer.
    • Buy spices in bulk. I purchase large containers of spices at Costco, Smart & Final and Amazon. I make loads of my own spice blends, refill my little spice jars in the cupboard, and then stash the reserve in the freezer where it retains its freshness.
    white dinner plate with green beans, hash brown casserole, and grilled pork tenderloin.

    More Great Pork Recipes

    • Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
    • Raclette Recipe Without a Grill
    • Leftover Ham Recipes to Help You Save Money
    • Spicy Pork Chili with Pumpkin (91 cents/serving)

    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    grilled pork tenderloin sliced on a plate with cheesy potatoes and green beans.
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    4.55 from 11 votes

    Spice-Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin

    Homemade spice blends are a cheap and easy way to add flavor and texture to your favorite grilled meats. Try this grilled pork tenderloin with its warm, spicy rub.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 140kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
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    Equipment

    • instant read thermometer
    • chef's knife
    • cooking tongs
    • cutting board
    • heavy duty sheet pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon chile powder or ground chile
    • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
    • 2 pork tenderloin about 1 pound each

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine the onion powder, chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the seasonings generously on the tenderloins.
    • Cook the tenderloins over a hot grill until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 ° for medium and 160 ° for well done, about 20 to 30 minutes. Rest the meat for 10 minutes before slicing.

    Notes

    To make this as a freezer meal, combine the spices in a small bag and package alongside the tenderloin package in a larger freezer bag. Store these together in the freezer.
    Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Leftovers are great in sandwiches, salads, wraps, and stir-fries.
    Nutritional values are approximate and based on ¼ a tenderloin.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 354mg | Potassium: 459mg | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1.2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me Today!Mention @goodcheapeatsblog or tag #goodcheapeats!

    This post was originally published on April 17, 2019. It has been updated for content and clarity.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tj

      August 25, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      How long should rub be on pork u til grilling

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        August 25, 2020 at 5:31 pm

        I usually do right before we grill, but it could be on there an hour or two if you like.

        Reply
    2. Candace

      May 25, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      5 stars
      Very nice, a big hit with my family.

      Reply
    3. Carol Moro

      March 22, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious! I did brush on some dijon mustard and a little honey and then the spice rub! Delicious and moist! Thank you!

      Reply
    4. Meredith

      February 25, 2013 at 11:28 am

      What if you wanted to cook this in the oven or slow cooker. What would be the temperature or settings and time frame for those, please. Thanks! It sound really good!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        February 25, 2013 at 8:36 pm

        Typically it’s only grilled or broiled.

        Reply
        • Jen

          April 19, 2016 at 12:42 pm

          How long would your broil it for and at a high or low setting?

        • Jessica Fisher

          April 19, 2016 at 2:00 pm

          You can roast it at 375 for 30 to 40 minutes, or until 145 degrees (internal temp) for medium and 160 degrees for well done.

    5. Rebecca

      August 13, 2012 at 10:09 am

      This pork looks delicious! My husband loves to try out different rubs for meats, so I’ll have to share this recipe with him. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        August 16, 2012 at 5:26 pm

        @Rebecca, I make up my own rubs all the time. It’s so easy and cheap.

        Reply

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