Grilled cherry bourbon glazed pork tenderloin is a surprisingly quick and easy meal to make. Includes video tutorial.
If you like this recipe, check out my Air Fryer Pork Chops next!
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Over the years I have learned my way around a grill. Grilled pork tenderloin is one of my favorite meats to make. It’s quick, easy and forgiving if you know what you are doing. Pork tenderloin absorbs whatever flavors you put with it. In this case, I’m giving you delicious cherry bourbon glazed pork tenderloins.
More pork recipes
Ingredients for bourbon glazed pork tenderloin
- Pork Tenderloin – This recipe is for two pork tenderloins, about 1 1/4 pound each. Don’t mistake pork tenderloin for pork loin. Pork tenderloin is small, very lean, extremely tender and cooks quickly. Pork loin is much wider and firm. It is often sold as individual pork chops or larger roasts.
- Cherry Preserves – This is the brand I used for testing this recipe. Use your own favorite brand. Or swap it out for apple butter or strawberry jam.
- Bourbon – Use whatever brand of bourbon you would normally drink.
- Butter – The pork is extremely lean so a little melted butter adds flavor and helps to round out the bourbon glaze.
- Brown Sugar – Cherry preserves can be a bit tart, so the sugar helps make the glaze more flavorful and sticky.
- Seasonings – I tested this recipe simply with salt. But feel free to experiment and add some heat with chili powder and cayenne pepper.
Instructions for grilling
- Lightly salt the pork tenderloins.
- Whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
- Pour half the glaze over the pork and rub evenly to coat.
- Place pork tenderloins on the hot side of the grill (about 5 minutes) to sear.
- Move the tenderloins to the low heat side of your grill and continue cooking (with the lid closed) until the internal temperature reaches 140 – 145 degrees F.
- Place the cooked pork tenderloin on foil and drizzle with the remaining cherry bourbon glaze.
- Seal the foil and allow the pork to rest for 10 minutes – this allows the temperature to rise about 10 degrees more and lets the flavor of the glaze really soak into the meat.
- After the 10 minute of rest, slice and serve the pork tenderloin.
A juicy, grilled pork tenderloin is safe to eat between 145 and 160 degrees. Always use a meat thermometer to check the temperature! A little pink on the meat lets you know it’s not over-done. Pork is also an economical choice for family dinner. Pork on average is about half the price per pound of beef.
Keep scrolling to find the video instructions below the free recipe card.
Serving suggestions
Turn this into an easy meal for a weeknight. Or add a dessert for a special occasion meal. Here’s some recipe suggestions –
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Pepper Jack Cheese Grits
- Easy Glazed Carrots
- Spinach Strawberry Salad
- Bourbon Glazed Kentucky Butter Cake
Cherry Bourbon Glazed Pork Tenderloin (with video)
Equipment
- 1 Grill
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins about 1 1/4 pound each
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt divided
Instructions
- Heat grill to high and scrape clean. Set one side to medium high heat and one side to low heat.
- Sprinkle tenderloins with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Blend the cherry preserves in a blender until smooth. I used an immersion blender.
- Whisk together the cherry preserves, bourbon, melted butter, brown sugar and remaining teaspoon of salt.
- Pour half the glaze over the pork tenderloins and rub to coat evenly.
- Grill the tenderloins on the hot side of the grill for about 5 minutes, flipping once so both sides are browned.
- Transfer tenderloins to the low heat side of the grill and close lid. Continue grilling until internal temperature of thickest part of tenderloins registers between 140 and 145 degrees.
- Transfer cooked tenderloins to a large sheet of foil. Pour the remaining cherry bourbon glaze over the tenderloins. Seal the foil and allow the tenderloins to rest for 10 minutes.
- Unseal the foil. Slice the pork and serve.
Video
Nutrition
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Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
This looks juicy and delicious! My family would love it!
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
Yum! This looks delicious and perfectly tender!
Anjali says
I’m definitely grilling some burgers this weekend!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I love a blush of pink on my pork tenderloin! When I was growing up – my Mom cooked the heck out of pork — it was like leather! I’d much rather have it like this! Well done!
foodtasticmom says
Haha, my parents were of the overdone is better opinion with any kind meat too! Thank you for the compliment 🙂
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Such a flavorful recipe!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
Jennifer Farley says
Pork tenderloin is the best, I’ve never tried grilling it!
foodtasticmom says
You should definitely try grilling it. I think it’s my favorite way to make it now.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Love the cherry glaze on top!
foodtasticmom says
It is for sure the best part!
Lynne says
Perfect for summer grilling!!
foodtasticmom says
I wholeheartedly agree!
Anna says
My other half loves pork tenderloin! Thanks for the tips! And that cherry bourbon glaze looks and sounds epic!
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome! You’ve got to try the glaze
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
We make pork tenderloin at least once a week because it’s quick and easy — and relatively healthy. Thanks for this recipe — that sauce sounds amazing.
foodtasticmom says
Yes – it is lean and healthy! I hope you try it with the sauce
Edyta at Innocent Delight says
What a great post to teach how to grill pork tenderloin. I know its tricky so this is helpful. I can imagine that this sauce is super delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much Edyta!
Valentina says
wow, that glaze sounds SO delicious, and with the added flavor from the grill, I bet it’s incredible!
foodtasticmom says
Yeah the glaze really takes the grilled tenderloin over the top!
Amanda says
Pork tenderloin is so perfect for grilling and I love that glaze!!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Amanda!
Liz says
Wow that looks like a great way to cook pork tenderloin! I’ll have to pass this along to my dad!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Liz – I hope he likes it!
Vicky @ AvocadoPesto says
I’ve never grilled pork tenderloin but love the sound of this! Need to buy this for my family and make it as the weather gets warmer!
foodtasticmom says
Yes you do. Grilling is my favorite way to fix a pork tenderloin.
Gunjan says
Sharing this recipe with my friend who would love to try this pork recipe.
foodtasticmom says
Awesome, thank you!
Traci says
Mmmmm, pork tenderloinnnn. Can’t wait til summer to put this recipe to use. Who doesn’t love bourbon and cherry…love that combo. Pinning this one!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much for the pin Traci!