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The Ultimate Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Zucchini and Orzo

A knife slicing into the juicy, finished Grilled Pork Tenderloin.

A complete Mediterranean-style meal cooked on the grill. This recipe features a pork tenderloin that is butterflied, pounded thin, and seasoned with a spice rub of cumin, coriander, and cayenne. The pork is grilled alongside fresh zucchini until tender and charred. The dish is served with a refreshing orzo salad tossed with chopped fresh tomatoes, parsley, and a lemon-oil dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 large pork tenderloin (about 1 1/4 pounds)
  • 2 zucchini, halved lengthwise and crosswise
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, plus wedges for serving
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Prepare the Pork and Zucchini: Butterfly the pork tenderloin by slicing it lengthwise down the center, stopping about 1/2 inch from cutting all the way through. Open the pork like a book. Lay a piece of plastic wrap on top and pound it with a meat mallet or skillet until it is an even 1/2-inch thickness.
  3. Place the pork and zucchini in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the lemon zest, cumin, coriander, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the cayenne pepper. Toss everything to coat and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  4. Cook the Orzo Salad: While the pork marinates, add the orzo to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain the cooked orzo and rinse it under cold water.
  5. Transfer the cooled orzo to a bowl. Add the chopped tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Toss to combine.
  6. Grill the Pork and Zucchini: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
  7. Place the seasoned pork and zucchini on the grill. Cook, flipping once, until the pork is cooked through (about 12 minutes total) and the zucchini is tender (about 14 minutes total).
  8. Serve: Slice the grilled pork on an angle and serve with the grilled zucchini, the orzo salad, and fresh lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Butterflying and pounding the pork tenderloin helps it cook more quickly and evenly on the grill.
  • The orzo salad and the grilling can be done concurrently to save time.
  • Rinsing the orzo under cold water stops the cooking process and is a key step for creating a cold pasta salad.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/grilled-pork-tenderloin/