"You can't beat this recipe for pork tenderloin on the grill. The marinade is the secret."
Foolproof Grilled Pork Tenderloin Marinade
This Grilled Pork Tenderloin Marinade recipe is wonderfully simple and delicious. The flavor is excellent right off the grill, and the leftovers are fantastic whether served hot or cold! With just six readily available ingredients, marinating the pork tenderloin in the lime ginger marinade hits all five flavors:
1. Saltiness from the soy sauce
2. Pungent heat from the garlic, soy sauce, and ginger
3. Acidity/sourness from the lime juice
4. Sweetness from the honey
5. Bitterness from the red pepper
Food is Medicine
Did you know that using different food flavors can improve your health? Traditional Chinese medicine believes food is medicine and incorporates these five flavors in food and teas.
- Salty flavors such as soy sauce help regulate the kidney and bladder
- Pungent or umami flavors in the soy sauce, garlic, and ginger aid the respiratory system
- Sour flavors (lime juice) help the liver and gallbladder and may counteract the effects of fatty foods
- Sweet flavor (honey) strengthens the digestive system
- Bitter (red pepper) helps reduce inflammation
This article examines the five flavors and how to use them to enhance your diet.
How Long to Marinate Pork Tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin has a very mild flavor that benefits from a flavorful marinade. The ingredients in this recipe season the meat and provide other value – the lime tenderizes it, and the honey provides the sugar to give the dish those outstanding grill marks. Marinate for 4 – 24 hours for best results.
Budget and Meal Prep Tip: I buy a few packages when pork tenderloin goes on sale. Place the meat and marinade in a gallon freezer bag. Squeeze out any air pockets, write down the date and contents on the label area, and place it in the freezer. Take the bag from the freezer 24 -36 hours before cooking and put it in the refrigerator to thaw. The meat will marinate as it is thawing. Grill as directed in the recipe below.
Meal Prep Tip - Double Up for Another Meal
Whenever Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Lime Ginger Marinade is on my weekly meal plan, I grill one extra tenderloin. That leaves me an extra for the Leftover Pork Stir Fry recipe later in the week. Pre-cooked meat makes the stir fry much faster and meal planning easier. Various vegetables can be used in the recipe, allowing you to use the produce you have on hand. Read more Great Leftover Recipes.
Pork tenderloins, commonly called “other white meat,” are economical. A package usually includes two tenderloins, about 1 – 1.5 pounds each. Check out other Budget Friendly Recipes.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin Marinade Recipe Steps
1
Remove pork tenderloin from the marinade and brush with olive oil.
2
Place on preheated 400° grill. The meat is triangular-shaped or has three sides.
3
Cook for 7 minutes per side (3 sides) for 21 minutes total until thermometer reads 145°.
Grilling Tips
- Baste the meat with oil before grilling. Pork tenderloin is very lean, and the marinade contains no oil.
- The meat is somewhat triangular. For the first cooking, I like to place it on the back of the grill and roll it forward 1/3, turning to side two and another forward, rolling to side three.
- Use a meat thermometer to determine doneness. I remove the meat when the thermometer reads 145º in the middle. The end pieces will be higher in temperature and are great for eaters who prefer well-done or less pink.
Reason to Grill All Year
In addition to the health benefits, this recipe is delicious and easy. I love this cut of meat because it is often on sale, tender, and cooks quickly. Grilled pork tenderloin is suitable for any season or special occasion and goes with many delicious side dishes. Never again buy pre-marinated pork tenderloin at the grocery store. Use this recipe and grill all year long.
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Grilled Pork Tenderloin – Lime Ginger Marinade
Marinate pork tenderloin in soy sauce, lime juice, honey, ginger, and garlic to deliver a complex seasoning combination that is tender and juicy every time. Grilled Pork Tenderloin Marinade is a quick-cooking recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 120 min
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 21 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Pork
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: Classic
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1/2 cup low sodium tamari – see notes below for diet modifications*
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional
Meat
Instructions
- Whisk marinade ingredients in a bowl to combine. Place the marinade in a zip lock bag or silicone bag with pork tenderloins. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 – 2 hours. Overnight marinating is ok.
- Preheat grill to 400°. Brush meat on all sides with oil. Discard the marinade.
- Grill whole tenderloins on medium-high at 400° for 21 minutes, turning every 7 minutes or until the meat thermometer registers 145°.
- Place meat on a cutting platter and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice into ¼ slices and sprinkle with Kosher salt. Serve with juices that seep out while cutting.
- Serve with Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage and Savory Kugel Pasta.
Notes
Note: *For a paleo diet, substitute coconut aminos for tamari sauce; for a gluten-free diet, use coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari; for SCD, use tamari that does not have wheat in small amounts after symptoms have subsided. Low-sodium soy sauce can be used if you are not on a restrictive diet or allergic to soy.
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6 responses to “Grilled Pork Tenderloin Lime Ginger Marinade”
Just made this last night with a side of your kugel noodles recipe. My one year old had 3 pieces!! Always a hit!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m thrilled to hear it was such a hit—especially with your little one! Pairing it with the kugel noodles sounds like a delicious combo. You’ve made my day!
We loved it! Will now be in the rotation for sure.
Decided to roast the tenderloin in the oven on a foggy and cool evening. The marinade was perfect, loved the flavors.
Thanks!
Joseph,
That’s wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for trying it out!
Can’t beat this recipe for pork tenderloin on the grill. The marinade is the secret.
I couldn’t agree more. Glad the recipe is a hit.