Whenever you’re looking for that perfect dish to serve on Sunday, look no further than this grilled pork loin. It’s the perfect meal for your entire family (and maybe even for leftovers!). Pork loin is not packed with a lot of fat and is extremely lean, which makes it the ideal choice when cooking on a gas or charcoal grill. But, how long to cook pork loin on grill per pound? What is the recommended cooking temperature of pork loin?
Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin
Pork loin is a delicious cut of meat, but it’s also confusing to many. Some people think that pork loin and pork tenderloin are the same thing, but they are not despite sharing the same name!
Pork loin and pork tenderloin are different cuts of meat. The pork loin is a center cut chop that is cut from tissue along the upper side of the rib cage, while the pork tenderloin is a muscle-based cut that’s taken from near the pig’s central spine.
Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat that can dry out quickly. Most tenderloins have some tough connective tissue, also known as “silver skin”, that should be removed by a sharp knife. Comparatively, pork loin is a leaner cut of pork than pork shoulder or pork butt.
Cooking pork to the correct temperature is essential for ensuring a juicy and tender dish. Pork today is very lean and needs to be cooked slowly to reach a safe internal cooking temperature of 145 degrees F.
To check if the pork is done properly, use a digital thermometer. Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork loin, and tenderloin and pork chop shall be cooked to 145 degrees F for maximum flavor while ground pork shall be cooked to 160 degrees F.
The pork loin recipe in this blog post is perfect for those who also love pork chops.
How Long To Cook Pork Loin On Grill Per Pound
A typical whole pork loin is anywhere from two to five pounds and can be cut to order. Most people have a preference between the bone-in or boneless cut of meat, but both are equally amazing. Plan on about half pound (eight ounces) of meat per person, or about 3/4 pound for bigger appetites.
You can buy a center-cut pork roast in the grocery store. It is usually labeled as center-cut pork loin or center-cut rib roast. A pork loin roast will require a total cook time longer than pork chops, or even a whole pork tenderloin.
Prep – Trim and Rub
To prepare your pork loin for grilling, begin by trimming any connective tissue and then drizzle the outside of the roast with olive oil.
Season the meat with Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub, or your preferred spice rub (you can prepare a simple spice rub by combining brown sugar, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, dry mustard and cayenne). Pat the spices on top of the meat so they stick.
The rub flavors and makes for a thin, crispy crust. Pork loins can be trimmed up to 24 hours in advance and removed from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling to allow it to come to room temperature while you are preparing the fire. To prevent pork from sticking to the grill, clean the grill with a wire brush and coat it with a vegetable oil.
Grilling Process – Direct and Indirect Cooking Method
To cook pork loin, we suggest using a grilling technique known as “zone cooking.” To use the indirect method, place the meat on the side of the grill which is opposite to the heat source.
Preheat your grill to 350 degrees F. One side of the grill will be turned up high, while the other will be turned down or unlit. Use the high-heat area for direct cooking (getting a crisp crust and char) and use the low-heat area to cook it to an internal temperature over indirect heat.
If you’re cooking with charcoal, arrange the coals on one side of the grill and leave the other side empty. If you’re using a gas grill, heat one side to high or medium-high heat and leave the other unheated.
To achieve maximum amount of flavor, cook the pork loin over direct heat for 5 minutes per side, then move and place it directly on the grill grates on the indirect heat side and cook it for one to one and half hour to ensure the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. The goal is to achieve a mahogany color with a crispy exterior and an inside that is pink and rosy.
The rule of thumb is 30 minutes of cooking time per pound at 350 degrees F (about 177 degrees C.). It takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to fully grill a 2 to 3 pound pork loin.
Remove from Grill, Rest, Slice and Serve!
Remove pork loin from the grill when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Insert a thermometer in the thickest part of the pork loin to get an accurate reading.
The grilled pork loin will be hot when it is off the grill. Let the meat rest for about 15 to 20 minutes so that it can finish cooking from residual heat and settle into its juices for a delicious flavor. Slice into ¼-inch slices and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions about How Long To Cook Pork Loin on Grill per Pound
How long does it take to grill pork loin?
It takes approximately 1.5 hours to grill a 2-3 pound pork loin. Preheat the grill to 350 degrees F, and then cook the pork loin over indirect heat until the internal temperature of the roast reaches 145 degrees F.
How long does it take to grill a 4-pound pork loin?
It takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to grill a 4 lb pork loin at 325 degrees F. This is an inexact science and the actual total cooking time will vary depending on the size of your pork loin and grilling temperature fluctuations. The most important factor is to cook the pork loin over until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F as recommended by USDA.
How long does it take to grill a 2.5 lb pork tenderloin?
Heat the grill to 400 degrees. F. Grill the pork tenderloin until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The pork tenderloin should finish grilling in about 30 minutes. This process will give you a juicy, tender piece of grilled pork tenderloin with a crusty surface.
To achieve best results, be sure to have an accurate meat thermometer when grilling pork tenderloin. It is important to let the pork tenderloin rest for about 10 minutes after being grilled if you want it to be juicy and tender.
How long does it take to grill a 1.5 lb pork tenderloin?
Place the pork tenderloins on a grill over direct medium heat. Close the lid and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork tenderloin registers 145 degrees F. The whole process to grill a 1.5 pound pork tenderloin shall take about 10 to 15 minutes. Turn every 5 minutes.
How long does it take to grill a 2 lb pork tenderloin?
Heat the grill to 400°F and grill the tenderloin until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. It is important to place the pork tenderloin on the center of grate so that it cooks evenly. The meat shall finish grilling in under 30 minutes and you shall enjoy a tender and juicy pork tenderloin. You can serve the grilled pork tenderloin with barbecue sauce.
Should I wrap my pork tenderloin in foil when grilling?
Foil-wrapping pork tenderloin helps to keep the moisture and flavor locked in while cooking. In any pork tenderloin recipe, this is the best way to ensure that your pork tenderloin stays juicy and flavorful.
Place the pork tenderloin in the center of a large piece of foil, then place potatoes around it on both sides. Wrap up the packet tightly so that all of the flavors cook together on the grill. When the pork tenderloin is wrapped in foil, it will take about 30 minutes to cook it over medium heat.
Can pork loin have a little pink in the middle after cooking?
Pork loin can be pink and still safe to eat. The pink color doesn’t mean that the meat is undercooked. It’s normal to see pink in the center when pork loin is cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 145 degrees F. which is recommended by USDA.
Should I wrap a pork loin in foil?
Some people believe that pork loin may not be as apt to dry out, but covering your pan with foil while roasting helps the meat retain its moisture.
How to cook marinated pork loin bought from a grocery store?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the pork loin filet in a shallow roasting pan lined with aluminum foil. Cover the pan with another sheet of aluminum foil. Place the pan in the preheated oven and cook for about 45 minutes. Remove the cover, and return pork to the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
To ensure that your pork filet has reached the recommended 145 degrees F., use an instant-read thermometer. After cooking, allow the pork loin to rest for at least 3 minutes before serving so that its juices can flow back into the center of the filet.
What is a good side dish for pork loin?
When choosing a side dish for grilled pork loin, you should consider the flavor profile of the meat and what type of sauce or rub it will be marinated in. It can be sweet, tangy, or spicy.
Depending on each case, you should choose a side dish which complements the flavor of the main course. Pork loin is a versatile protein that goes well with any side dish. Some favorites include creamy mashed potatoes, lemon-herb couscous or baked mac and cheese.
What temperature should pork loin be cooked at in the oven?
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F temperature. Start the oven at higher temperature to trap in moisture!
Next, coat the pork with your preferred seasonings. Place the seasoned pork loin in the middle of a baking dish. Rub vegetables with olive oil (and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt) and scatter them around the pork loin.
It’s always best to place the fat side up in the pan. This will allow the fat to baste the roast as it cooks, which will keep it from becoming dry and tough.
Cook the pork loin for about 8 to 10 minutes at a high temperature 400 degrees F. to create a crust on the meat that will help to keep the juices inside. Next is to lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and continue cooking the pork loin for about 20 to 25 minutes per pound of meat.
After the pork loin has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees F., remove it from the oven and move it to a cutting board. Cover it loosely with a piece of foil and let it rest for about 15 minutes.
Do you smoke pork loin fat side up or down?
Smoking pork loin with the fat side up will help render the fat and prevent it from drying out.
Smoking imparts a rich smoke flavor and it helps keep the meat juicy without overcooking it. If you want to smoke your pork loin successfully, wood chips or pellets are essential.
Wrap Up
Bone-in or boneless pork loin – a lean, tender and flavorful cut of pork that is perfect for grilling – is a popular meal because it can easily feed an entire family or group of friends! To ensure that your pork loin is cooked evenly and its exterior will not dry out, avoid cooking it at high temperatures.
Direct grilling is simply the process of cooking the meat directly over an open flame. Direct grilling time for pork loin shall be about 5 minutes per side. Indirect grilling is the process of cooking the meat without direct contact with an open flame.
To ensure that fresh pork cuts are cooked through, always use a digital cooking thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the meat. The safe internal temperature for pork cooking is 145 degrees F.
Hope you enjoy this blog and the pork recipe. Until next time, have a nice day and happy grilling!
