I love pork tenderloin, but almost never cook it at home because I have a couple of family members who won’t eat it! So, I rely on my wonderful mom to make it for me whenever I visit. This summer, I haven’t been able to see my parents due to the pandemic, and not only do I really miss them, but I also miss my pork fixes! So, I decided to make this Mayan-style pork dish with both pork and a turkey tenderloin. The citrusy trio of lemon, lime, and orange juice combined with pepitas, cilantro, chipotle, and cumin and makes for a tangy and smoky flavor. Adding a little cornstarch to some reserved marinade is the perfect finish to this delicious grilled meat.
Mayan-style Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. pork or turkey tenderloin
Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup toasted pepitas green pumpkin seeds, pureed in the food processor
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch for final sauce
Instructions
- Mix all marinade ingredients except the cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Stir with a whisk to combine well. Set aside 1/2 cup of the marinade for the glaze.
- Cut tenderloin in half lengthwise (i.e. butterfly the tenderloin). Place in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Pour marinade over tenderloin and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to grill, preheat grill to hot. Place meat directly on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until a meat thermometer reads 140-145 F for pork or 165 F for turkey tenderloin.
- Meanwhile, heat remaining marinade in a small saucepan. Slowly whisk in cornstarch and cook, stirring all the while, until sauce thickens slightly to coat the back of a spoon. This makes a perfect glaze for the tenderloin.
- Remove meat from grill and drizzle glaze over meat.
