Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin 

Bold flavor doesn’t have to mean complicated! This simple Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin recipe is super simple to make without sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen (or over a hot grill)! All you need is your favorite BBQ sauce, a couple extra seasonings, a tender cut of pork, and 15 minutes with a hot grill to whip up a quick weeknight dinner. 

 

Perfect Summer BBQ Pork Loin 

Grilled pork tenderloin that’s juicy, smoky, and full of flavor? Yes, please. This is the kind of backyard BBQ dish that disappears fast, and nobody has to know how little effort it takes.

You know those recipes you keep coming back to because they’re just easy? This pork tenderloin is that kind of recipe. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve thrown it on the grill at the last minute, usually with hungry people standing around holding empty plates. It’s fast, it’s flavorful, and it never lets me down.

The magic is in the marinade. It’s sweet, tangy, a little spicy, and honestly, kind of impossible to mess up. Give the pork a good soak, throw it on the grill, and you’ve got yourself the main event. I usually serve this with some roasted potato salad or a big dish of Southern-style mac and cheese, and there are never leftovers. Or if there are, they’re gone before I’ve even had a chance to reheat them.

Whether it’s a busy night or a big party, having a few simple yet tasty recipes in your back pocket is always a good idea. Pork tenderloin is a pretty neutral-tasting piece of meat, so this super simple recipe adds a ton of flavor without taking too much time. 

Ingredient Notes

Get a full list of ingredients and directions in the Recipe Card below.

Pork Tenderloins – You’ll need two one pound pork tenderloins. You can use just one and half the recipe for the sauce.

BBQ Sauce – I recommend using a tomato-based BBQ sauce. I love Rufus Teague Sweet Honey, but start with your favorite.

How To Make This Easy Grilled Dinner

Step One: Make the Marinade

Add all ingredients except pork to a small pot over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Let it cool.

Step Two: Marinate Pork

Place the tenderloins in a ziplock bag and add ½ of the sauce to the bag. Reserve the rest of the sauce for basting and serving. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. 

Step Three: Hit The Grill

Heat the grill to 350º or medium-high heat. Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and place them on the hot grill over direct heat. Cook, flipping and basting with extra sauce occasionally, until the internal temperature at the thickest part of the tenderloin reaches 135-140º in the thickest part and the outside is golden brown. 

This should take about 12-15 minutes. Transfer the meat to a cutting board, tent with aluminum foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into slices.

A few casual grilling tips

I’ve made this enough times to know where it can go sideways. So here’s what I always keep in mind:

• Don’t skip the thermometer. Seriously. Guessing works… until it doesn’t.
• Lid closed = consistent heat. You’re not flipping pancakes. Keep the grill closed as much as possible.
• Clean grates are happy grates. Charred bits mess with the flavor. Scrub ’em.
• Grease the grates. Just a little oil helps the pork release without tearing.

Leftovers? Here’s what to do

Let it cool off first, then slice it up and stash it in an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for about 3–5 days. If you’ve got more than you’ll eat soon, freeze it. I slice it before freezing so it’s easier to reheat just what I need.

It makes killer sandwiches the next day. Or chop it up and throw it in fried rice or a quesadilla. I’ve even topped it on salad with a drizzle of leftover marinade warmed up, so good.

And if you ever need a cozy indoor option, this oven baked pork tenderloin method is solid.

Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or the middle of a full-blown summer cookout, this BBQ pork tenderloin is a go-to. It’s fast. It’s flavorful. It’s the kind of dish that makes you look like you’ve got it all together, even if you’re still wearing your apron when guests walk in.

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.