Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa

Succulent grilled pork tenderloin is seasoned with brown sugar, lime, and fresh ginger then paired with a tangy pineapple salsa for a tropical twist on a classic main dish. Spice up your busy weeknights with an easy grilled recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

 

A Perfectly Juicy Pork Roast With Sweet Pineapple

Light, refreshing, and far from heavy, this tropical spin on a pork roast is my go-to when I want something a little bit special for a weeknight meal. First, the pork is marinated in a citrus and soy sauce dressing for a flavorful and fork tender bite. The pork is so tender, you won’t even think of grabbing a knife.

If the grills not your thing or it’s covered in snow, slow cooker pork tenderloin is a great option and it’s just as tender.

To mix it up even further, I used a mixture of spices we don’t typically use on pork recipes, like nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. I also added fresh lime juice and jalapenos to the marinade alongside brown sugar for a spicy-sweet flavor that pops in your mouth. I love the way the spice of the marinade complements the sweetness of the pineapple salsa. It might sound like a lot, but trust me, these flavors are blending not competing! 

Making your own salsa can seem daunting, but it’s actually really easy.  If you want to make your own, just grab some fresh pineapple or canned pineapple chunks, fresh cilantro, red onion, lime juice, and as many (or as little) hot peppers as you like. Chop them up and let them marinate in a small bowl while the pork is in the oven. Here’s a simple pineapple salsa recipe.

If that sounds like too much extra work on a busy night, you can grab a container of pineapple salsa from the produce section of the grocery. Whole foods brand is my favorite, it has pineapple, mango, cilantro, and hot peppers and is my go-to for this recipe. 

With the fresh salsa, it has a lighter more summery feel than oven roasted pork tenderloin with pears or creamy Marsala pork tenderloin. In the Carolinas, we are lucky enough that we can grill all year long. This pineapple pork recipe makes even colder days feel like Spring is coming soon.

Jerk cooking originated with using pit fires and has a signature smoky flavor to it, so I highly recommend making this pork loin on the grill. To avoid overcooking the pork, make sure to use an instant-read thermometer. Trust me on this, if you don’t have one in your cooking arsenal, it’s time to finally buy one. You are going to have over-cooked pork without one. Pork is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Anything over than that can lead to a tough chew—and no one wants that. 

Serve this on a bed of coconut rice to keep the tropical feel along with a creamy macaroni salad. If you’re having a cook-out, pair it with classic sides like slow cooker mac and cheese and roasted potato salad. For more unexpected ways to use pineapple, try out a baked pineapple casserole or some skillet pineapple burgers. 

Tips for Tender and Juicy Grilled Tenderloins

• Let the pork come to room temperature before cooking.
• Place on a hot grill so that it quickly sears in the juices.
• Don’t over-cook, use a meat thermometer and remove the tenderloin when it registers 135º in the thickest part.
• Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before cutting. This will allow it to continue to cook and seal in the juices.

What Is Jerk Seasoning? 

Native to Jamaica, Jerk seasoning is made up of allspice, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and occasionally other spices like cayenne or garlic. You then marinate or dry rub the meat in this seasoning for a distinctive flavor. Historians say that this style of cooking comes from Indigenous people in Jamaica and has been around since the 1600s!

Your Whole Family Will Love This Pineapple Pork Recipe

• Great Flavor  –  The tropical blend of flavors and seasonings turn an ordinary pork tenderloin into a delicious meal your family will want again and again. 
• Economical  –  Pork in general is one of the most economical meat you can find. Fresh Market has buy-one-get-one-free every week in my area.
• Quick and Easy  –  Thanks to store-bought salsa and the high heat of the grill, this dinner comes together in less than 20 minutes (as long as you don’t forget to marinade).

Ingredients For Spicy Pineapple Pork Tenderloin

• Vegetable Oil  –  This will help pull the marinade together. 
  
• Produce  –  Green onions, garlic, and jalapeno peppers. 
  
• Spices and Seasonings  –  Soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, allspice, black pepper, kosher salt, dried thyme, nutmeg, and peeled fresh ginger.
  
• Pineapple Salsa  –  Make your own or purchase your favorite from the grocery store. 
  
• Pork Tenderloins  –  This makes enough marinade for two pork tenderloins. Each piece should be about 1 ¼ lbs. 

How To Make Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Step One: Marinade.

Add all the ingredients except the pork to a food processor and process until you have a smooth marinade. Pour into a Ziplock bag and add the pork tenderloins. Refrigerate for 8 hours or at least 4 hours. 

I highly recommend letting it come to room temperature before cooking.

Step Two: Grill. 

Heat the grill to 350º. Remove tenderloins from the marinade and place on the hot grill. Cook, flipping occasionally until a meat thermometer reads 135-140º in the thickest part and the outside if golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. Remove to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. The pork will continue to cook after it’s removed from the grill. 

Step Three: Slice. 

Slice and serve with pineapple salsa.  

Other Ways To Serve Pineapple Pork Loin

• Grab some corn tortillas and turn this roast into tacos al pastor! Tacos al pastor are pork tacos marinated in pineapple juice so just add a little fresh cilantro, some chopped onion, and more pineapple salsa for a delicious handheld meal.
• Turn these into pulled pork sandwiches by adding a fluffy sandwich roll, barbecue sauce, and your favorite toppings. 
• ​Make pineapple pork chops instead! You can follow all the same instructions and grill them, just watch the time and internal temperature so they don’t overcook. 

Can I Make This With A Different Cut Of Pork? 

Absolutely! You can use the marinade for any pork dish. If grilling you can use pork chops instead of the pork tenderloin. The flavors will still complement each other beautifully.

More Dinner Recipes To Try

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