Smoked Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is smoked the whole way to create a delicious weeknight meal or easy dinner. This smoked pork tenderloin is so juicy, tender, and flavorful that your family will keep going back for seconds.
Servings: 3 people
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 lbs pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning like this Texas-style rub
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey or substitute hot honey
Instructions
- Prepare your grill for smoking: Preheat your pellet grill or smoker to 200°F (93°C) with your choice of wood or pellets.
- Trim and season the pork: Use a sharp knife to remove silver skin and any large pieces of fat from the pork. Then season all sides of the pork tenderloin with the all-purpose seasoning.
- Smoke the pork tenderloin: Place the tenderloin on the bottom grate of the smoker and insert your probe meat thermometer. Carefully push in the ends of the meat to make the tenderloin a little fatter so that it will cook evenly. Close the grill lid and smoke for about 1 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature of the tenderloin reaches 120°F (48°C).
- Add the honey butter mixture: Divide the butter into 6 slices (about ⅓ tablespoon each.) Evenly space 4 slices of butter in the middle of a large piece of aluminum foil. Sprinkle 1 ½ tablespoons of the brown sugar over the top of the butter, then drizzle about 1 tablespoon of the honey over the top of the sugar. Place the pork tenderloin on top of the honey butter mixture. Drizzle the tenderloin with the remaining 1 tablespoon honey, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar. Add the remaining 2 slices of butter on top of everything.
- Finish smoking: Tightly wrap up all sides of the pork tenderloin in the foil. Place the thermometer in the middle and smoke until an internal temperature reaches 135°F (57°C). Remove the foil from the top of the tenderloin and push it around the edges so that it forms a boat for the tenderloin. Add the thermometer back to the tenderloin and return to the smoker. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Rest and slice to serve: Once the internal temperature reaches 145℉, remove the pork from the smoker and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and serve the pork tenderloin with any remaining sauce drizzled over the top.
Video
Notes
- To make BBQ Smoked Pork Tenderloin: You just need pork tenderloin, all purpose seasoning, and your favorite barbecue sauce. Preheat your smoker to 200°F (93°C), season the pork tenderloin with your all purpose seasoning and place it directly on the bottom grate. Cook for about 1 ½ hours, until a probe inserted into the thickest part of the tenderloin reads 120°F (48°C).Baste the tenderloin all over with the BBQ sauce and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). During the last 10 minutes of cooking, increase the temperature to 250°F (121°C) which allows the BBQ sauce to set. You do not need to wrap the bbq pork tenderloin in foil.