Grilled Hoisin Pork Tenderloin

This quick-and-easy Grilled Hoisin Pork Tenderloin is full of Asian flavor and ready in about 15 minutes on the grill.

I have a bit of an obsession with hoisin sauce and want to put it on just about everything. I just love the sweet, slightly salty flavor, and find it adds so much flavor to a dish. Usually, I use it as the main ingredient in quick stir-fries, but lately, I have been using it to marinate meat like this Grilled Asian Pork Tenderloin.

Why? Well, for starters, it's quick, easy, and really packs in a ton of flavor, whether you're using it as a sauce or marinade. And, while hoisin is amazing all on its own, sometimes I boost the flavor even more by adding some Chinese 5 spice right into the marinade. Want to up the flavors again? You could add some garlic, Sriracha for heat, ginger, or pineapple juice for sweetness.

The marinade is a cinch to put together and only takes two hours in the fridge to soak up up all that deliciousness. You simply get it out of the fridge and place the tenderloin right on the grill. It cooks up in about 15-20 minutes. While it's on the grill, I like to keep basting it with the leftover marinade to really sear the juices in.

Ideas for customizing Grilled Hoisin Pork Tenderloin

• Add pineapple or orange juice to the marinade for a slightly sweet, acidic flavor. You'll only need to add about a cup of whatever juice you choose.
• Add a tablespoon of ground or fresh ginger to the marinade mix.
• Put a couple tablespoons of Sriracha or another favorite hot sauce into the marinade, or wait and put it on the meat at the end when you're ready to dig in. Red pepper flakes or sliced jalapenos would also bring up the heat level.
• A couple tablespoons of honey added to the marinade or drizzled over the pork before serving makes the meat slightly sweet and taste divine!
• Add soy or teriyaki if you want your pork to be a little bit more on the tangy/salty side.

What is Chinese 5 Spice?

Chinese 5 spice is a pre-made combination of spices packaged together and found in the spice aisle. The 5 spices that are included in the blend are star anise, fennel, cloves, cinnamon, and hot peppercorns called Szechuan peppercorns.

How to make Chinese 5 Spice

I love making my own spice blends. If you want to make this Chinese 5 spice yourself, make up a big batch, mix it together, and store in a spice jar, labeled with your other spices. It'll soon become your new favorite spice!

You'll need:

• 2 tbsp of ground star anise
• 1 tbsp of ground Szechuan peppercorns (or use regular peppercorns if you can't find Szechuan)
• 1 tbsp of ground fennel seeds
• 2 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1 ¼ tsp of ground cloves

Mix all of these ground spices together and use as directed. For a larger batch, simply double the recipe.

How do I make Grilled Hoisin Pork Tenderloin?

First, combine the ingredients to make the marinade. You'll need the Chinese 5 spice, grill seasoning, and Hoisin sauce.

Next, put the marinade into a large Ziplock bag or a bowl with a lid. Add the tenderloin and submerge in the marinade. Allow it to sit in the fridge for two hours.

When it's done marinating, put the tenderloin on the girl over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 150-160 degrees when using a meat thermometer.

Baste with remaining marinade if you like while the pork is grilling — this step is optional.

Once it's done grilling, allow the pork to rest off the grill for 5 minutes before slicing to ensure every cut of meat will be nice and juicy!

What side dishes go with Grilled Hoisin Pork Tenderloin?

• I love to make this easy Asian slaw with the grilled pork tenderloin. I sometimes will just put the meat right on top of the slaw for a complete, low-carb meal.
• A great pasta side always tastes delicious with this pork dish. Try this Asian Noodle Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing for a change of pace!
• I like to make up a pot of ramen, chow mein, or udon noodles to go alongside this dish. A little goes a long way and you can add flavor to the noodles however you like. One way is to double the marinade and then save half of it for the pork and half as a sauce for the noodles, or to pour over the meat for an extra flavorful meal. Reduce the marinade on the stove if you'd like it to be thicker.
• Of course, nothing beats a side salad or a side of roasted veggies on the grill. They don't need a lot of spice. Simply use salt, pepper, and a little olive oil, or if you're feeling adventurous, add a little Chinese 5 spice to the veggies before roasting or grilling.