How do You Cook a Whole Pork Loin on the Grill

Updated on October 13th, 2022

It’s hard to think of pork loin without feeling nostalgic. This delicious roast has graced the tables of many family dinners, Thanksgiving holidays, and Christmas gatherings. And why wouldn’t it? It’s delightful meat large enough to feed a large crown and even have leftovers. So, imagine discovering you can also cook this flavor-hugging roast on a grill?

Pork loin is a loin chop taken from the area along the upper side of the rib cage, which is why it’s also considered a center cut. But a lot of people assume it’s the same as pork tenderloin, which isn’t true. In contrast, the pork tenderloin is gotten from the tissues that run along the central spine. Plus, pork loin is lean and cooks quickly, which is why it’s also cut further to make pork chops.

So, with all these mouth-watering facts about pork loin, you must be anxious to find out how to cook it on a grill. Well, the answers are provided below;

Pork Loin Nutrition Facts

Cooking Tips for Grilled Pork Loin

Grilled pork loin is such an exciting recipe that it combines the tenderness of the meat with the smokiness of the grill. Plus, this cooking technique infuses an array of flavors into the recipe, making it incredibly tasty. So, for grilled pork loins, save these tips;

Prep the Pork Loin

Pork loin tends to have a slight covering of tough grey skin or silverskin on the surface. This part gets tough after cooking and is unpleasant to chew. So, the first step is to slice the silverskin off the roast carefully.

Season the Pork Loin

Because pork loin effortlessly infuses with various flavors, you can use any combination of spices and seasonings on it. Popular contenders like onions, garlic, thyme, rosemary, shallots, and fennel add a burst of flavor to this moist pork roast. You can even consider paprika, red pepper flakes, or ground black pepper for this purpose.

Heat the grill

Make sure you start on an already hot grill, set at least 350F. You’ll also need to create a two-zone cooking area on the grill rack to roast the pork loin at varying heat levels. On one side, the roast will be exposed to direct heat, while on the other, it would cook over indirect heat.

Cook the Pork Loin

Place the pork loin over indirect heat and close the lid. This zone will gradually roast the meat, so the internal tissues are adequately cooked. Then, move the pork loin to the direct heat for a nice char. Once the roast is ready, let it rest on the counter for about 15 minutes before you serve.

Cooking Time for Grilled Pork Loin

Pork loin takes from 1 to 1½ hours on a grill at 350F to thoroughly cook. And its internal doneness must reach a temperature of 145F before you can set it down. You must check for the doneness with a meat thermometer to consume pork safely.