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Smoked Pork Tenderloin: A Flavorful Delight for All Occasions

Juicy pork tenderloin smoked to perfection with a sweet-spicy glaze, featuring a beautiful smoke ring and caramelized crust. This elegant yet easy recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort!

  • Author: ranime
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1.5 hours
  • Total Time: 2 hours (with resting)
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Smoking
  • Cuisine: American BBQ

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (1-1.5 lb each) pork tenderloins
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • For Dry Rub:
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp mustard powder
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • For Glaze (optional):
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Wood chips: apple or cherry

Instructions

  1. Prep: Trim silver skin from tenderloins. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Season: Mix all dry rub ingredients. Coat tenderloins with oil, then apply rub evenly.
  3. Smoke: Preheat smoker to 225°F (107°C) with wood chips. Smoke tenderloins 60-90 minutes until internal temp reaches 140°F (60°C).
  4. Glaze: Whisk glaze ingredients. Brush onto tenderloins during last 15 minutes of smoking.
  5. Sear (optional): For crispier crust, finish on hot grill or cast iron for 1-2 minutes per side.
  6. Rest: Tent with foil and rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook: Pork is safe at 145°F (63°C) with 3-minute rest
  • For extra moisture: Brine in ¼ cup salt + ¼ cup sugar + 1 quart water for 2-4 hours
  • Wood pairing: Apple (sweet) or hickory (strong) work best
  • Make ahead: Rub can be applied 24 hours in advance
  • Serving suggestion: Slice diagonally for elegant presentation

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