The Ultimate Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Zucchini and Orzo

Are you looking for the perfect healthy, flavorful, and incredibly fast meal to throw on the grill tonight? A complete dinner with a juicy protein, charred vegetables, and a fresh pasta salad that all comes together in about 30 minutes? This Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Zucchini and Lemon Orzo is the spectacular summer meal you need to make.

This is your ultimate guide to creating a light yet satisfying dinner that is bursting with vibrant, summery flavors. We’ll show you the secret to a perfectly cooked, tender pork tenderloin, how to get a beautiful char on fresh zucchini, and how to pair it all with a zesty and refreshing orzo salad.

What makes this recipe so special is its brilliant efficiency and its perfectly balanced, Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile. It’s an elegant meal that’s easy enough for a busy weeknight but impressive enough for a weekend cookout. This guide will give you the confidence to master this delicious Grilled Pork Tenderloin.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Secret to Fast & Evenly Cooked Grilled Pork Tenderloin

The number one secret to making a perfect Grilled Pork Tenderloin is the butterflying and pounding technique. A whole pork tenderloin is a thick, round, and unevenly shaped cut of meat, which can be tricky to cook evenly on the grill. By butterflying it, you create a thinner, flatter piece of meat with a uniform thickness.

• How to Butterfly: Simply slice the tenderloin lengthwise down the center, stopping about 1/2 inch before you cut all the way through. Open the meat up like a book.
• Why It’s a Game-Changer:
  1. It Cooks Incredibly Fast: A thinner piece of meat cooks in a fraction of the time, making this a true 30-minute meal.
  2. It Cooks Evenly: The uniform thickness ensures that the entire piece of pork is perfectly cooked to a juicy 145°F without any dry or undercooked spots.
  3. More Flavor: It creates more surface area for the delicious spice rub and for developing a beautiful, smoky char from the grill.

The Key Ingredients for Your Grilled Pork Dinner

This recipe for Grilled Pork Tenderloin uses a handful of simple, fresh, and powerful ingredients.

• Pork Tenderloin: The star of the show. This is a very lean and tender cut of pork, perfect for quick grilling. Be sure you are buying a tenderloin, not the much larger and tougher pork loin.
• The Spice Rub: A warm, earthy, and aromatic blend of cumin, coriander, and a pinch of cayenne pepper provides a fantastic, smoky flavor that beautifully complements the pork and the grill.
• The Vegetables: Fresh zucchini and juicy tomatoes are the perfect summer pairing. We grill the zucchini for a smoky char and toss the fresh tomatoes into the orzo salad.
• The Lemon Orzo Salad: This is the perfect, bright, and zesty side dish. We toss tender, rice-shaped orzo pasta with fresh tomatoes, parsley, and a simple lemon-olive oil dressing. It’s a cool and refreshing contrast to the warm, savory pork.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Grilled Pork Tenderloin Dinner

This complete meal comes together efficiently, with the orzo salad being prepared while the pork marinates and the grill preheats.

Part 1: Preparation

1. Prepare the Pork: Start by butterflying the pork tenderloin as described above. Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the opened pork and use a meat mallet or a heavy skillet to gently pound it to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
2. Marinate the Pork and Zucchini: Place the pounded pork and the prepared zucchini halves in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the fresh lemon zest, cumin, coriander, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the cayenne pepper. Toss everything together until the pork and zucchini are evenly coated in the spices. Let this sit for at least 10 minutes at room temperature.
3. Cook the Orzo: While the pork marinates, bring a medium pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente.
4. Make the Orzo Salad: Drain the cooked orzo and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer the cooled orzo to a large bowl. Add the chopped tomatoes, chopped fresh parsley, the fresh lemon juice, the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Toss everything together to combine.

Part 2: Grill and Serve

1. Preheat the Grill: Prepare your outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan for a steady medium-high heat. Make sure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled.
2. Grill the Pork and Zucchini: Place the seasoned pork and the zucchini on the hot grill. Grill, flipping once, until the pork is cooked through and the zucchini is tender with beautiful char marks. The pork will take about 12 minutes total, and the zucchini about 14 minutes total. For a perfectly juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin, use a meat thermometer and pull it off the grill when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
3. Rest the Pork (Crucial!): Transfer the cooked pork tenderloin to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, guaranteeing a tender result.
4. Assemble and Serve: Thinly slice the rested pork on an angle. Serve the slices of Grilled Pork Tenderloin with the grilled zucchini and a generous portion of the fresh orzo salad. Garnish with extra lemon wedges for squeezing.

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Conclusion: The Perfect Healthy Summer Meal

This Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Zucchini and Orzo is a perfect example of a fresh, healthy, and elegant summer meal. It’s a complete and balanced dinner that is packed with vibrant flavor and comes together with incredible ease. This sophisticated yet simple dish is sure to become a new favorite in your go-to grilling repertoire.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)