Photo of Smoked pork tenderloin with cilantro sauce by WW

Smoked pork tenderloin with cilantro sauce

3
Points®
Total Time
1 hr 40 min
Prep
25 min
Cook
20 min
Serves
8
Difficulty
Easy
Start up your grill because this recipe is a RINGER! The rich smokey pork tenderloin has its perfect pairing with the bright and tangy flavor of the cilantro sauce. Cilantro and scallion make a savory combination with a touch of heat while the lime juice adds the zing that cuts the smoky flavor in a divine combination. This pork and sauce are super versatile. Serve as a main dish with rice and steamed vegetables or over a bed of crisp greens with some sliced radishes and tomatoes for a hearty main-dish salad dressed with the cilantro sauce. You can also cut the pork and serve as a delightful taco filling with the cilantro sauce. Easy to prep and cook, make 2 tenderloins and save one for meals later in the week. If you like this dish, try smoking chicken and serving with the sauce for an easy variation.

Ingredients

Woodchips

3 cup(s)

Ground cumin

1½ tsp, divided

Kosher salt

1¼ tsp, divided

Ground coriander

1 tsp

Uncooked lean pork tenderloin

2 pound(s), extra fat and sinew trimmed

Cilantro

4½ oz, 1 bunch, tough stems discarded

Scallions

2 medium, ends trimmed, thinly sliced

Garlic

1 clove(s), minced

Fresh lime juice

2 Tbsp

Extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp

Instructions

  1. Place woodchips in a large bowl, cover with water and place a heavy plate on top to keep them submerged; soak 30 minutes.
  2. Mix together 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt and coriander in a small bowl; rub evenly over pork and set aside at room temperature while you prepare grill.
  3. Make sure your grill grates are super clean, then prepare your gas or charcoal grill for indirect heat. Drain wood chips and place in center of a large piece of aluminum foil; wrap them up to create a neat package (using a second layer of foil if needed). Using a paring knife or skewer, poke a dozen holes in top of packet and place packet over hottest part of grill (either directly on coals of a charcoal grill or on heating element below grate of a gas grill); cover grill until smoke appears, at least 15 minutes.
  4. Place pork on cooler side of grill; cover and cook pork, uncovering grill to turn pork a few times, until pork is firm to the touch and registers at least 145ºF in center, about 20 minutes. Remove pork from grill; let rest 10 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, stir together cilantro, scallions, garlic, lime juice, oil, remaining 1/2 tsp cumin and remaining 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl (chop cilantro, if desired, for a chunky sauce or puree sauce ingredients for a smooth finish).
  6. Thinly slice pork; serve warm or at room temperature with cilantro sauce.
  7. Serving size: 3 oz pork, 1/2 Tbsp sauce