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May 6, 2020 By Stacie Hassing

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Avocado Green Sauce

Dairy-Free
Egg-Free
Gluten-free
Grain-Free
Nut-free
Paleo
Whole30
Jump to Recipe

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.

Photo of Grilled Pork Tenderloin on a black serving board topped with Avocado Green Sauce.

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.

Photo of Grilled Pork Tenderloin on a black serving board topped with Avocado Green 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.

Small white plate holding the spices for the ultimate BBQ Rub
Small white bowl holding the Ultimate BBQ Rub.
Two pork tenderloin on a black serving board smeared with the Ultimate BBQ Rub.

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.
  • 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.

Photo of Grilled Pork Tenderloin sliced, topped with avocado green sauce and served on a plate with a white bowl holding avocado green sauce.

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.

Black serving board holding two Grilled Pork Tenderloins
Black serving board holding two sliced Grilled Pork Tenderloins
Black serving board holding two sliced Grilled Pork Tenderloins

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.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin sliced and topped with avocado green sauce. Served on a gray plate.

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!

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Let's Get Cookin'

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.

  • Author: Stacie Hassing
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Entree
  • Method: Grill
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe
★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews

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)

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.

Nutrition

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

 

Pin now, make later!

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This post was made possible by our friends at the Minnesota Pork Board. Although we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are – as always – 100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating great recipes and content for you.

All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!

 

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About Stacie Hassing

Stacie is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian from rural southern Minnesota where she, her husband and daughter reside with their two pups. She’s a co-founder of The Real Food RDs and content creator of simple and wholesome recipes. She loves all kinds of fitness and has a passion to inspire as many as she can live a healthier and happier life both in and out of the kitchen - the driving force behind the co-development of the The Real Food RDs brand.

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Reader Interactions

Join the Conversation

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

  1. Anna says

    May 6, 2020 at 10:33 am

    This looks amazing! Any tips on how to do this in the oven if I don’t have a grill? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jessica Beacom says

      May 7, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      Hi Anna,

      You can cook this in your oven at 450F for 20-25 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 145F in the thickest part of the tenderloin.

      Reply
  2. Ann G. says

    June 5, 2020 at 7:57 am

    I finally made this last night and it was fantastic!! The wet rub is great, I will be using it on other meats as well. Same with the avocado garlic sauce, it’s going on everything!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. Abby says

    June 27, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    I made this last night and was a hit with the whole family. The avocado sauce is now one of my favorites! I love guac but there is something different about this sauce that I like even better. Thanks for sharing your delicious recipes.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Stacie Hassing says

      June 29, 2020 at 7:50 am

      SO great to hear! The avocado green sauce is so versatile too!

      Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    August 18, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    My whole family loved this- even my 4 and 2 year olds! The avocado sauce really made it special! We served it with roasted sweet potatoes and grilled summer squash. A great dinner meal!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Jessica Beacom says

      August 20, 2020 at 3:48 pm

      We’re so glad you all loved this recipe – it’s one of our favorites, too!

      Reply
  5. Sheena Rosenquist says

    August 22, 2020 at 8:00 pm

    This was delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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The Real Food Dietitians is the passion-driven product of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Stacie Hassing and Jessica Beacom. They’ve combined their love of nutrition, health and real food with the concepts of ease and convenience to bring you recipes that are big on flavor but short on ingredients.

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