This Grilled Pork Loin is slow cooked to tender perfection and then reverse seared creating a crispy exterior. A simple, delicious summer meal that won’t heat up the house.
Find out how to do a reverse sear on the grill so that the outside of the pork loin is crispy and the inside is soft. It’s got a great seasoning blend that you can customize and is ready in about an hour. Plus, grilling it means all that heat stays outside.
Pork loin is a great cut of meat to cook on the barbecue. It’s tender, juicy and takes well to the smoky barbecue flavor. While it may seem intimidating to grill a large pork loin, it’s actually quite easy with the right techniques. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to cook pork loin on the BBQ perfectly every time.
Selecting and Preparing the Pork Loin
When selecting a pork loin for grilling, choose a center-cut boneless loin that is about 2-3 pounds. Avoid cuts with large pockets of fat, as these can flare up on the grill. Plan on about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of pork per person.
Before grilling, trim off any excess fat or silver skin from the pork loin This will help prevent flare ups on the grill Also, pat the pork dry with paper towels. You want the outer surface nice and dry for seasoning and searing.
Marinating the Pork Loin (Optional)
Marinating the pork loin is optional, but recommended. The acid in the marinade tenderizes the meat and infuses flavor. Try using pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, wine or citrus juices. You’ll also want some oil, herbs and spices like garlic, rosemary, oregano or cumin.
Marinate the pork in a zip top bag or baking dish for 1-8 hours in the refrigerator turning occasionally. Just be sure to pat it completely dry before grilling.
seasoning the Pork Loin
Before grilling, you’ll want to coat the pork loin with a flavorful seasoning rub. Try using a basic blend of:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Rub the seasoning all over the pork loin, coating all sides evenly. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before grilling to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Setting Up the Grill for 2-Zone Cooking
To grill a pork loin properly, you’ll want to use a 2-zone fire setup. This means having a hot side for searing and a cooler side for gentle, indirect cooking.
For a gas grill, turn one burner to high and leave the other burners on low. For charcoal, bank all the coals to one side, leaving the other empty.
Try to maintain a temperature of about 300-350 F on the cool side. The hot side can go up to 450-500 F.
Grilling the Pork Loin
Now you’re ready to grill that pork loin! Follow these simple steps:
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Place the seasoned pork loin over the cooler side of the grill and close the lid.
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Grill for 30-45 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 115-120°F.
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Move the pork loin over direct heat. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side to get nice grill marks.
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Move back to indirect heat and grill until the center of the pork loin reaches 140-145°F on an instant read thermometer.
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Remove from grill and tent loosely with foil. Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
The pork loin is done when it reaches an internal temp of 140-145°F. When slicing, you want a hint of pink in the center. Resting is key, as the temperature will rise 5-10 degrees.
Saucing the Pork Loin
For added flavor, you can glaze the pork loin with barbecue sauce in the last 5-10 minutes of grilling. Use a sweet, tangy sauce and brush it on during the searing stage. Grill until the sauce becomes sticky and caramelized.
Serving Suggestions
Slice the pork loin into 1/2 inch slices and serve warm. It goes great with roasted potatoes or a fresh green salad. Top the pork with extra barbecue sauce, if desired.
Leftovers will keep refrigerated for 4-5 days. The pork loin also freezes well for 2-3 months. Reheat slices in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Common Pork Loin Grilling Mistakes
When grilling pork loin, there are a few mistakes to watch out for:
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Undercooking – Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork reaches 140°F minimum before resting.
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Overcooking – Don’t let the pork go over 145°F internally or it will be dry.
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Uneven cooking – Use 2-zone fire to prevent burning while thoroughly cooking.
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Flare ups – Trim excess fat and watch for drippings to prevent uncontrolled flames.
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Skipping resting – Letting the pork rest ensures juiciness! Don’t slice right off the grill.
Grilling Times and Temperatures
For reference, here are some general time and temp guidelines when grilling a 2-3 pound pork loin:
- 115°F internal after 30-45 minutes on indirect heat
- 140°F internal after 60-75 minutes (total time)
- 145°F minimum internal temp before resting
- 325-350°F indirect cooking temp
- 450-500°F direct, searing temp
Now you’re ready to grill pork loin like a pro! With the right preparation and these simple techniques, you’ll have perfectly cooked pork loin every time. Juicy, tender and full of flavor – grill-roasted pork loin is a winner.
Preparing The Grill For Grilled Pork Loin – Two-Zone Method
If you have a Three Burner Gas Grill, turn the left burner to medium-high and ignite. For a Four Burner Gas Grill, turn the two left burners to medium and ignite. Leave the two right burners off.
With a Charcoal Grill – fill a chimney starter with charcoal and light according the manufacture’s instructions. (Please don’t use starter fluid. This will leave a nasty chemical taste on your food. ) You’ll know the coals are ready when the edges turn grey and ashy.
Pour the charcoal out of the chimney and push over to one side of the grill. Leave the other side free of coals.
Preheat the grill for 5 minutes and then clean and oil the cooking grates. The temperature of the grill should be between 300 – 350˚F.
What’s The Difference Between Pork Loin And Pork Tenderloin?
Before we get started grilling the pork loin, I think it’s important to understand the difference between a pork loin and a pork tenderloin. They’re very different cuts and, although their names are similar, they come from very different parts of the pig.
Pork loin is a large cut of meat from the back of the pig. It can be sold bone-in or boneless. Generally, pork loin runs between two to five pounds. I believe the two-zone cooking method is the best way to grill it. First, cook it over indirect heat, and then sear the loin on the other side over direct heat. I also have a post about how to roast a pork loin in the oven, which is another great choice.
It’s a thin, small piece of meat that comes from the hip to the shoulder of the pig. On average, this cut is generally about 1 pound. Because of its size it’s best cooked quickly over high heat.
Because these are such different cuts, it’s important not to substitute one for the other.
Grilled Pork Loin on the BBQ | How to Grill Pork Tenderloin
FAQ
How long does a pork loin take to cook on the grill?
Should I wrap my pork loin in foil when grilling?
Should I flip a pork loin on the grill?
How to cook a pork loin on a grill?
Remove the pork loin from the packaging, pat dry and season on all sides with 3 – 4 tablespoons of the seasoning mix. Prepare the grill such that one side is off and the other is medium-high.* Preheat the grill for 5 minutes and then clean and oil the cooking grates. The temperature of the grill should be between 300 – 350˚F.
How long does it take to cook a pork loin?
Sear the loin for 5 minutes per side over direct heat. Then, move it to indirect heat. Cook the roast for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. The rule of thumb is 20 minutes of cooking time per pound. Aim for a mahogany color on the outside and a rosy pink inside. Rest the meat and serve.
How do you slow cook a pork loin on a grill?
Indirect heat is when there is no flame under the meat. The key to slow-roasting on the grill is to heat up the grill using only half the burners and cook the pork loin on the indirect heat side. Turn on half your burners on your grill. For me, that was two out of the four burners. Close the lid, let it preheat to about 300-350°F.
How do you cook a pork loin on a charcoal grill?
Here are the steps to make the perfect pork loin on a charcoal grill or gas grill: Preheat: Set the grill to medium-high heat before you begin. Combine the dry rub: Whisk all the ingredients for the spice rub together in a small bowl. Season the pork: Use paper towels to pat the pork loin dry.