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With just 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep, this honey-glazed Grilled Pork Loin is an easy meal to enjoy all summer long! The sweet-and-savory marinade offers a rich flavor boost to this healthy dinner recipe.
Whether you use the sauce on a large boneless pork loin roast or on a smaller pork tenderloin, the honey-based glaze offers a sweet contrast to the savory meat and helps create a crispy, charred exterior on the juicy, tender meat.
It’s an easy dinner recipe that everyone at your table will love!
What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin is thin and small (usually only weighing about 1 – 1.5 pounds per tenderloin), while a pork loin is thick and wide. Pork loin comes from the animal’s back, while tenderloin is the muscle that runs alongside the backbone. A pork tenderloin cooks quickly over high heat (so you have to be careful not to overcook the meat and dry it out), while a pork loin is particularly good for slow roasting or longer grilling over low heat. (source)
How to Grill Pork Loin:
This honey glaze can be used on both a grilled whole pork loin and on a grilled pork tenderloin. While I’m showing you the pork loin roast here, I have also included instructions for a tenderloin in the recipe below.
First, let’s start with the sauce! You’ll need 4 simple ingredients:
- Brown Sugar
- Honey
- Sesame oil
- Garlic powder (and a bit of salt)!
Combine these ingredients in a small saucepan and whisk over low heat, just until the brown sugar dissolves and you have a nice, thick glaze.
Now for the pork! Start by patting the meat dry with paper towels and then season liberally with salt and pepper on all sides.
I like to start the pork loin over very high heat for just a few minutes on both sides, which gives the meat a nice sear.
Then turn the heat way down to low (a temperature of about 300 – 350 degrees F), or move the pork to a spot on the grill where it will only receive indirect heat.
Cover the grill and allow the pork loin to cook for about 40 more minutes, basting regularly with the honey glaze. Turn the pork over halfway through. You know that it’s done when the pork loin reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. It’s important to allow the meat to rest for about 10 minutes. The temperature of the pork will continue to rise as it rests.
The end result is a piece of pork that’s crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside!
Can I freeze Grilled Pork Loin?
Yes! When wrapped tightly, leftover grilled pork will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to reheat Grilled Pork:
To reheat the pork, allow the frozen meat to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place the pork loin on a baking sheet and reheat at 325 degrees F until warmed through (about 20 minutes).
If you’re reheating a small amount of sliced pork loin, you can place it in a microwave-safe container and heat in the microwave just until warm (about 1-2 minutes).
What to serve with Grilled Pork Loin:
This versatile entrée goes well with almost any of your favorite sides. Here are a few easy options that work well:
- 10-Minute Oven Roasted Sesame Broccoli
- Rice, pasta, or bread
- Chinese Salad with Cashews (replace the chicken with your grilled pork)
- Sesame Ginger Snap Pea Salad
Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations:
- If the grill isn’t convenient, you can also prepare your whole pork loin roast in the oven. Here’s an easy 4-Ingredient Pork Loin Roast recipe!
- For instructions on baking a pork tenderloin in the oven, you can check out this recipe. Baste with this same honey glaze, if you like!
- If you would like to serve your grilled pork with some additional honey glaze, I suggest that you double the glaze recipe and set aside half of the glaze for serving.
- Total cooking times can vary widely based on the size and thickness of your pork, as well as the type of grill or grill pan that you’re using. As a result, a probe meat thermometer is always the best way to know when your meat is done.
- Allow the pork to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and will keep the meat incredibly moist and tender. The pork will also continue cooking and the internal temperature will rise as the meat rests.
- Don’t be shy — season your meat liberally with plenty of salt and pepper! A pork loin is a large cut of meat, so it needs plenty of flavor before cooking.
Other easy grilled pork recipes that you might enjoy:
- Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin
- Grilled Garlic & Herb Pork Tenderloin with Zucchini and Corn
- Honey Garlic Dijon Pork Tenderloin Marinade
5-Ingredient Grilled Pork Loin
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (3-lb.) boneless pork loin roast (see note below for cooking instructions for a smaller pork tenderloin)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Pat pork loin dry with paper towels. Season liberally on all sides with salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, garlic powder, and about ¼ teaspoon salt. Whisk over low heat, just until brown sugar dissolves and you have a nice, thick glaze. Set aside.
FOR A GRILLED PORK LOIN:
- Spray an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan with nonstick spray or brush with oil. Preheat grill to high heat.
- Grill the pork loin over high heat for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until dark grill marks appear.
- Turn the grill down to low, or move the pork loin to a spot where it will only receive indirect heat. The grill should be about 300 – 350°F. Cover the grill, and let the pork loin cook for about 40 minutes, basting regularly with the honey glaze. Turn the pork over and check the temperature after about 20 minutes.
- When the pork reaches 140°F, take it off of the grill. Allow the meat to rest on a cutting board for about 10 minutes. The temperature of the pork will continue to rise as it rests. Slice and serve.
FOR A GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN:
- Heat the grill to medium heat. Place pork on the grill and cover. Cook for about 12-14 minutes, turning every few minutes and basting with glaze, until pork reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Allow pork to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- If the grill isn’t convenient, you can also prepare your whole pork loin roast in the oven. Here’s an easy 4-Ingredient Pork Loin Roast recipe!
- For instructions on baking a pork tenderloin in the oven, you can check out this recipe. Baste with this same honey glaze, if you like!
- If you would like to serve your grilled pork with some additional honey glaze, I suggest that you double the glaze recipe and set aside half of the glaze for serving.
- Total cooking times can vary widely based on the size and thickness of your pork, as well as the type of grill or grill pan that you’re using. As a result, a probe meat thermometer is always the best way to know when your meat is done.
- Allow the pork to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and will keep the meat incredibly moist and tender. The pork will also continue cooking and the internal temperature will rise as the meat rests.
- Don’t be shy — season your meat liberally with plenty of salt and pepper! A pork loin is a large cut of meat, so it needs plenty of flavor before cooking.
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