This Pork Tenderloin Marinade recipe adds tons of flavor to tender and lean pork tenderloin. It's made with easy pantry ingredients and is perfect for grilling, roasting and more.
Pork Tenderloin Marinade Recipe
I've made pork tenderloin a lot over the years. It's a great protein for us, lean and low in calories, and usually quite tender. The flavor is on the milder side, but that's totally fine as I have a secret weapon in building huge flavor with a nice level of zing.
It's my pork tenderloin marinade, and I think you're going to love it. This recipe is different from my Pork Chop Marinade, which is equally delicious, but this particular marinade has been perfected specifically for pork tenderloin the way I like it.
It has just the right amount of zesty flavor, and it's really easy to customize to your own personal tastes. Ideal for any way you want to cook your tenderloin, whether you're grilling it, baking it, roasting it, cooking it on the stove top or in a slow cooker, or even chopping it up for something like a pork stir fry.
Pork Tenderloin Marinade Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Soy Sauce
- Garlic
- Honey - Or you can use brown sugar.
- Hot Sauce - Use your favorite Louisiana style hot sauce, like Crystal or Tabasco.
- Dijon Mustard - Or try spicy brown mustard.
- Lemon Juice - Plus lemon zest.
- Chili Flakes
- Fresh Rosemary
- Salt and Pepper
- Pork Tenderloin
How to Make Pork Tenderloin Marinade
Whisk the marinade ingredients. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
Marinate the pork tenderloin. Add the pork tenderloin to the bowl and cover with marinade. Or, use a large sealable baggie. Seal the bag and rub in the marinade. Marinate the pork tenderloin for 2 hours minimum, or up to 24 hours for the best flavor penetration.
Boom! Done! Time to get cooking some pork tenderloin! It's so good, now matter how you make it. Huge flavor right here, my friends. I love this marinade.
When you're ready to cook, remove pork tenderloin from marinade and discard the marinade. Cook as desired.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Other ingredients. You can easily vary up the ratios of your marinade, or add in your favorite flavors. Some popular additions include fresh thyme, parsley, basil, spicy chili powder and more.
- Other uses. Try this marinade on pork loin or chicken as well, or just about any cut of meat. I prefer it with pork tenderloin or pork loin. I also enjoy it on vegetables for big flavor development. So good!
- Internal temperature. Pork tenderloin should be cooked until the pork reaches 145°F for medium-rare, or 160°F for well done when measured with a meat thermometer.
- Cooking pork tenderloin. You can roast, broil, pan sear, or grill pork tenderloin whole, or slice or chop the tenderloin and cook it that way. So many ways to make it. You can even cook it in a slow cooker. Cooking times will vary, depending on your cooking method. You can have baked pork tenderloin done in under 30 minutes, and grilled pork tenderloin in under 15 minutes or so.
- Serving pork tenderloin. Serve with your favorite side dish or vegetable. You really don't need a sauce for this, but if you'd prefer one, I suggest either my Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce, my Spicy BBQ Sauce, or some Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce. Check out my other Spicy Sauce Recipes.
Storage
Feel free to make the marinade a day ahead of time. Keep it stored in an airtight container in the fridge and give it a good shake/stir before using to marinate the meat.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin
I grilled my pork tenderloin this time, as you can see by the photos with those wonderful char marks, and served it sliced with some of my Spicy BBQ Sauce.
I love to toss in a sliced jalapeno, usually lightly grilled along with the tenderloin, as a bit of extra garnish and pops of heat and flavor. A favorite for me.
For grilling, heat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the pork tenderloin for 12 minutes, flipping once half way through. Move the tenderloin to indirect heat and continue cooking another couple minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium-rare, or 160°F for well done when measured with a meat thermometer.
Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve. I love it this way. The marinade does wonders.
Try Some of My Other Spicy Marinade Recipes
- Pork Chop Marinade
- Zesty Carne Asada Marinade
- Flank Steak Marinade
- Sweet and Spicy Teriyaki Marinade
- Jerk Marinade
- Spicy BBQ Chicken Marinade
- Jacked Up Steak Marinade
- London Broil Marinade
- Salmon Marinade
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Pork Tenderloin Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons honey or use brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon hot sauce or more to taste - use your favorite Louisiana style hot sauce, like Crystal or Tabasco
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice + zest
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste I use 1/2 teaspoon each
- For Cooking: 2 pound pork tenderloin
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Add the pork tenderloin to the bowl and cover with marinade. Or, use a large sealable baggie.
- Marinate the pork tenderloin for 2 hours minimum, or up to 24 hours for the best flavor penetration.
- When you're ready to cook, remove pork tenderloin from marinade and discard the marinade. Cook as desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Kathy M says
This is definitely my ‘go-to’ marinade for pork and have used it for tenderloin or pork chops and it is DELICIOUS with rave reviews from guests as well as family!
Mike Hultquist says
I love to hear it, Kathy! I'm glad everyone likes it! Cheers!!
Colleen Carter says
Hi Mike, love your recipes. Can this one be grilled? Do you have any suggestions for grilling temperature and time?
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Colleen! I have that information in the body of the post. Look back into the post for more, but here:
"For grilling, heat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the pork tenderloin for 12 minutes, flipping once half way through. Move the tenderloin to indirect heat and continue cooking another couple minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium-rare, or 160°F for well done when measured with a meat thermometer."
Susan Goetz says
Can you pour the marinade over the tenderloin and cook it with the marinade left on?
Mike Hultquist says
Susan, yes, you can do that. Depending on how you cook it and the temperature, it might cook off and make your baking dish hard to clean, though.
Dawne says
I rarely repeat recipes as often as this one. Four grown boys and husband all go crazy over this. Absolutely delicious!
Mike Hultquist says
Excellent! Glad they all love it that much! Thanks, Dawne.
Jean says
This recipe was totally
amazing .
Highly recommend this
recipe .
Mike H. says
I appreciate the recommendation, Jean!
Clydester says
This marinade is the absolute bomb! Definitely marinade the full 24 hrs. The flavors simply explode in your mouth. I'm salivating just writing about it. Try it - you will not be sorry.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Clydester! I appreciate the comments! Glad you enjoyed it! =)