This Traeger Pork Tenderloin Recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Juicy and succulent, this pork tenderloin is marinated first with a delicious blend of herbs and spices and then slow-cooked on a pellet smoker to create an unforgettable main dish. This dish is perfect for date nights, special occasions, or just a simple dinner with family.
This delicious Traeger pellet grill recipe is an incredibly delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion.
This recipe produces delightfully tender, juicy pork with incredible flavor thanks to the marinade.
You'll want to make this recipe when you have a few hours to spare - it's worth the wait!
For more delicious tenderloin recipes, check out my Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Smoked Pork Tenderloin on Pellet Grill, and Smoked Beef Tenderloin.
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❓ Pork Tenderloin vs Pork Loin
Pork tenderloin and pork loin are two different cuts of meat. Pork tenderloin is a lean cut and typically a smaller, thinner, and extremely tender piece of meat, whereas pork loins tend to be larger, thicker, and less tender.
These two cuts of meat cook differently, so you cannot use the same recipe for cooking both types of meat.
For a truly fantastic boneless pork loin roast recipe, try my Smoked Pork Loin Roast.
❤️ Why you Will Love This Recipe
- The smoky flavor: Traeger grills are known for infusing food with a smoky flavor, and this recipe fully demonstrates that. The smoke adds so much more flavor and depth to the meat.
- The marinade: The marinade for this recipe is a blend of herbs, spices, and apple juice that work together to tenderize the meat and add a delicious layer of flavor.
- Perfect for large gatherings. You can cook one tenderloin for two people or cook as many as you need to feed a large group of people. Your whole family will love this recipe!
- Easy recipe: Despite the complex flavors in this recipe, it is relatively simple to prepare and cook, making it a great option for both beginner and experienced cooks.
- The presentation: The final product of this recipe is a beautifully cooked, perfectly seasoned, and deliciously smoked pork tenderloin that is sure to impress any dinner guest.
- Use any smoker: This recipe can be made on all wood pellet grills. I have also made it on my Pit Boss grill, and it turns out equally as delicious.
🐖 Ingredient Notes
You can easily find the ingredients to make this recipe at your local grocery store.
- Pork tenderloin. I used two pork tenderloins; they were about 1 pound each. I trimmed off the silver skin, but if you get it at your local butcher shop, it may be trimmed off already.
- Apple Juice helps to tenderize the pork as it marinates. I used our own homemade apple juice, just like in this post for Easy Crabapple Syrup.
- Brown sugar. A light sweetness that balances out the acidity of the apple juice.
- Garlic adds flavor and aroma that compliments the pork perfectly.
- Ground thyme adds a subtle and earthy taste.
- Barbecue sauce creates a sweet glaze on the pork, which gives it an irresistible caramelized coating when cooked. You can use your favorite barbecue sauce, or make homemade barbecue sauce.
See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.
♨️ How To Smoke a Pork Tenderloin on Traeger
First, prepare the pork tenderloins by placing them on a cutting board and trimming off any silver skin with a sharp knife.
Next, prepare the marinade by combining apple juice, brown sugar, garlic, ground thyme, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl.
Place the pork tenderloins in a large Ziploc bag or airtight container. Pour the marinade mixture over top of them. Seal and place in the fridge for a minimum of one hour, or up to overnight. Flip the bag or shake the container occasionally to make sure all the meat gets covered in marinade.
Pro Tip: Place the bag on a sheet pan in case there is any leakage from the bag.
When you are ready to grill, preheat the smoker to 225 degrees F, and let it warm up for 15 minutes.
Place the tenderloins directly on the grill grates of the Traeger grill, and discard the marinade. Insert a digital meat thermometer into the middle of the thickest part of the meat. Close the lid, and smoke for one hour.
After an hour, open the lid and flip the tenderloins with tongs. Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. This may take 1½ to 2 hours, depending on how hot your grill cooks, the ambient temperature, wind, and other factors.
When the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, brush the tenderloins with your favorite barbecue sauce, if desired. Flip them over with tongs and coat the other side with sauce. Close the lid and smoke for 5-10 minutes more, until the sauce gets sticky.
Remove the tenderloins from the grill, and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
Serve with your favorite side dishes.
Enjoy!
💭 Expert Tips
- Make sure to cut off any silver skin.
- For best results, marinade overnight.
- Put a layer of aluminum foil underneath the grill grates, or use drip tray liners, to catch the drips.
- If you have a Traeger Pro grill with the Super Smoke setting, you can try it if you want extra smoke flavor.
- Cook with the meat thermometer, not the clock. All grills cook differently, and there are so many variables that play a part in the cooking time, such as weather, different types of grills, etc.
- Resist the urge to open up the grill to check on the meat. You will lose heat and extend the cooking time.
- Allow the meat to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
❓ Recipe FAQs
When storing Traeger Pork Tenderloin, it’s best to place it in the refrigerator in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 days. You can also freeze leftovers by wrapping them in plastic wrap and placing them in a Ziploc bag; they will keep for up to 3 months.
Traeger Pork Tenderloin is incredibly versatile, so you can really get creative with how you serve it! You can slice it into medallions and serve it as an entrée, or shred the pork and use it in tacos, sandwiches, and salads.
To ensure your pork tenderloin is cooked to perfection, use a digital meat thermometer. The safe internal temperature for consumption is 145 degrees F.
I recommend using apple wood, cherry wood, hickory, maple, pecan, or the Signature blend. Apple has a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with white meat like pork and is my personal favorite when making this recipe.
🥗 What To Serve With Pork Tenderloin
The smoky flavor also pairs well with delicious sides like Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes, Smoked Mac and Cheese, Smoked Baked Potatoes, Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon, and Smoked Corn on the Cob.
It also goes great with Watermelon Basil Salad with Feta, Fruit Salad with Cool Whip and Pudding, Raw Shredded Carrot Salad With Lemon, and Miracle Whip Coleslaw.
👩🏻🍳 More Pork Recipes You Will Love
If you like this post on this Traeger Pork Tenderloin recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and leave a comment below with your thoughts!
📋 Recipe
Traeger Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Equipment
- Pellet grill
- Digital meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins silver skin removed
- 2 cups apple juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon ground thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup barbecue sauce optional
Instructions
- First, make the marinade by combining the apple juice, brown sugar, garlic, ground thyme, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Place the pork tenderloins in a large Ziploc bag or airtight container. Pour the marinade mixture over top of the pork tenderloin. Seal and place in the fridge for a minimum of one hour, or up to overnight. Flip the bag or shake the container occasionally to make sure all the meat gets covered in marinade.
- When you are ready to grill, preheat the smoker to 225 degrees F, and let it warm up for 15 minutes.
- Place the tenderloins directly on the grill grate, and discard the marinade. Insert a digital meat thermometer into the middle of the thickest part of the tenderloin. Close the lid, and smoke for one hour. Open the lid and flip the tenderloins over with tongs. Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. This may take 1½ to 2 hours, depending on how hot your grill cooks, the ambient temperature, wind, and other factors.
- When the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, brush the tenderloins with your favorite barbecue sauce, if desired. Flip them over with tongs and coat the other side with sauce. Close the lid and smoke for 5-10 minutes more, until the sauce gets sticky.
- Remove the tenderloins from the grill, and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make sure to cut off any silver skin.
- For best results, marinade overnight.
- Put a layer of aluminum foil underneath the grill grates, or use drip tray liners to catch the drips.
- If you have a Traeger Pro grill with the Super Smoke setting, you can try it if you want extra smoke flavor.
- Cook with the meat thermometer, not the clock. All grills cook differently, and there are so many variables that play a part in the cooking time, such as weather, different types of grills, etc.
- Resist the urge to open up the grill to check on the meat. You will lose heat and extend the cooking time.
- Allow the meat to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
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