The Best Grilled Pork Loin Recipe

Grilled pork loin is a hearty meal that is packed full of flavor.

And, with a homemade sweet rub and pork grilled to perfection, dinner never tasted so good.

The easy recipe is one that everyone will crave again and again.

The Perfect Pork Loin

Pork is the perfect food to bring families together. Dinnertime, family gatherings, or barbecues are great places to make this meal. It’s hearty, easy to make, and absolutely delicious.

One of the great things about pork is that it can be made in a variety of ways. And, whether it’s grilling season or the middle of winter, you can make this meal.

You can grill it, fry it, bake it, roast it, or smoke it, and it will taste great each time. And this tender cut of pork is no different. It’s a huge hit every time it’s made.

We love to grill pork around here, and adding a rub to the recipe makes this a sweet and tender main dish.

DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored by the Wisconsin Pork Producers Association. As always, the opinions are honest and are all my own. 

Grilling pork is great for gatherings in the summertime when you can get friends and family together.

With this pork recipe, you can use either a gas grill or a charcoal grill for cooking. You can control the temperature more with a gas grill, but it will taste great either way.

This Pork Is Raised In The United States

One of the great things about pork is that it’s raised right here in Wisconsin and other places in the United States. So, when you buy pork, you are supporting local farmers and their families.

Those families add so much to the community in a variety of ways. Many of the kids are in the 4-H club, help on the farm, and give back to their community. So, buying and eating pork is more than just a meal.

And pork farmers care about the environment for our sake and their families. Porkcares.org said, ”We are committed to protecting our planet’s natural resources – water, soil and air – and realize the impact of GHGs on the environment.”

Pork Is Protein Packed

Pork is a great way to get protein into your diet, and it’s a delicious lean meat. Today, pork has a lot less saturated fat than it did a few short decades ago.

A three-ounce serving of pork loin has 24 grams of protein, plenty of iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, B12, zinc, and more. It’s a great way to eat, stay full, and get the nutrients you need for a healthy heart and body.

What Ingredients Are Needed For The Rub?

The rub features simple ingredients that are most likely already in your pantry. You can add these seasonings or use a simple marinade before cooking.

• Light brown sugar
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic salt
• Cumin
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Chili powder
• Dry mustard

Full printable recipe with measurements and detailed instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start by adding the brown sugar to a small mixing bowl.

Next, add the smoked paprika to the bowl.

Smoked paprika will have a deeper flavor to it than regular paprika. You can use either one for this recipe.

Pour the garlic salt, cumin, and onion powder into the bowl.

Add the salt, black pepper, chili powder, and dry mustard to the bowl and mix.

Place your pork loin in a baking dish.

I used a baking dish large enough to hold the pork. It’s really the best way to keep the drippings inside the pan.

You don’t need to grease the pan because you are only using it to refrigerate the pork while it rests with the dry rub.

I used a four pound pork loin for the recipe, but you can use a smaller one if you aren’t feeding as many people. If you choose to use a smaller size of meat, cut the rub ingredients by half.

Spread the rub on both sides of the pork and place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours before grilling.

You can leave it open or place some Saran Wrap over the top.

Once the pork sits for a couple of hours, preheat the outdoor grill to 350 degrees.

I kept the temperature of the grill at 350 degrees. For the four-pound loin, the cooking time was about one hour. For best results, you will need to cook the pork for approximately one hour.

If you have a smaller piece of pork, you will need to cook it for less time, depending on the size.

Place the pork in the center of the grill rack on the open flame and let it cook on one side for five minutes to sear the meat.

It’s a quick sear before flipping it over to the other side.

Flip the meat over and continue to cook for about 15 minutes.

This is such an easy grilling process, and it turns out to be a juicy pork loin.

Flip the pork loin over and wrap it in aluminum foil to keep the sugar from burning on the outside. This will also help keep in the juices.

Cook for another 15-20 minutes and flip over one more time. Cook for approximately 10-15 more minutes. Keep the pork in the aluminum foil.

Checking The Internal Temperature Of The Pork

Check the internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer.

TIP: Make sure you place the instant-read thermometer close to the center of the meat. Be sure not to push it through to the cooking grate, or you will get an incorrect reading.

I usually place it in the center and check it. I also check the thickest part of the pork loin.

I used a digital meat thermometer probe that stayed in the meat while it cooked on the grill. That is not necessary, just convenient. You can check it with a regular cooking thermometer or a digital food thermometer.

This is a great tool to have, so you don’t have to keep opening the grill.

The Safe Temperature For Grilled Pork Loin

Pork loin needs to be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.

We used to like ours more well done, and we would cook it longer until we tried it at 145 degrees. It is so much more tender and juicy. It doesn’t taste dry or flavorless.

The family loves it when grilling to 145 degrees now. Give it a try if you haven’t already. I promise you will love it.

The meat will have a touch of pink at 145 degrees.

Allow the pork to sit for about three to five minutes before slicing.

The pork tasted perfect with the rub and had incredible flavor. You can also add your favorite BBQ sauce on the side, as well as maple syrup or your favorite store-bought rub.

Delicious Side Dishes

Pork goes great with many different side dishes, including pasta salad, corn on the cob, cornbread, green beans, butter beans, and more. Here are a few more ideas:

• Fried apples from Kylee Cooks
• Fried cornbread
• Coleslaw
• Hush puppies
• Mashed potato cakes
• Creamed corn

More Pork Recipes With Different Cuts Of Meat

• Slow cooker ranch pork chops – this is some of the best pork out there, and your taste buds will thank you for this easy and delicious recipe.
• Ham and potato casserole – this is a great meal for the family. It’s hearty, filling, and has incredible flavor.
• Slow cooker pork chops and gravy is a wonderfully delicious meal that is tender, falls apart easily, is rich with flavor, and comes out perfect every single time.
• Slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe – this lean cut of meat turns out so tender and flavorful. It’s great with rice, mashed potatoes, and baked potatoes.

How To Store And Use Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container or cover them with plastic wrap and keep them in the refrigerator.

My dad and stepmom would often take any leftover pork, slice it up, add it to some pasta and red sauce, and eat it for dinner the next night.

What Is The Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin?

Pork loin and pork tenderloin are similar. Tenderloin is always boneless, whereas pork loin can be bone-in or boneless.

Pork loin is usually bigger in size and tastes better when cooked slowly.