Traeger Pork Tenderloin
This Traeger Pork Tenderloin is so tender and moist, it will make you fall in love with Traeger roasted pork. With a smoky garlic and pepper rub, this recipe is easy to prep and cook – dinner will be ready in under an hour!
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for a low and slow ultra-smoky pork tenderloin recipe then this isn’t the right place for you. I love my Traeger, and I love a good smoky rack of ribs with a thick smoke bark, but most of the time I just want dinner on the table without heating up my house.
Even a short, high-temp cook on the Traeger imparts a delicious smoky flavour that isn’t overpowering, but extremely flavour enhancing! We try to cook everything on our pellet grill.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Delicious – the pork really benefits from the smoky flavours from the Traegar and has turned out incredibly juicy each time we made it.
- Incredibly easy – all you need to do is pat the pork dry, season, and grill! No marinating or waiting.
- Versatile leftovers – Try using the sliced pork in vermicelli bowls, salad rolls, ramen, sandwiches, or even thrown in last second to a veggie stir fry.
- Cheap dinner – pork tenderloin regularly goes on sale and freezes well, which makes it a great protein to keep in the freezer for quick, cheap, and easy dinners!
Tips for Success
- Season generously. I want the entire surface absolutely covered in seasoning. Not only does this keep the pork moist (lots of salt to penetrate the meat), but it just tastes good!
- Room temperature meat will cook more evenly on the Traeger (and a bit quicker). If you have the time, let the pork sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes so it’s not too cold in the middle. This prevents the outside of the meat from drying out while the inside finishes cooking.
- Pull off the grill early. There’s nothing worse than overcooked, dry pork. Pull it off at 135-140°F* and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Use a high-quality pellet blend for the best flavour on the Traeger. Most you’ll find in your regular BBQ supply store, grocery store, or at Costco works. We use Kirkland Signature Premium Blend BBQ Hardwood Pellets, which are a blend of oak, hickory, maple and cherry. If you want to use a single type of pellets or want to learn more about what kind to use, see my pellet guide here.
* IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PORK – If you live somewhere where trichinosis is still a possibility in your pork (or it’s been imported from a country where it’s still a risk), make sure you cook your pork to 165°F (pull at 160°F). Here in Canada1 (and in the US), trichinosis has been eliminated from the domestic pork supply and it is considered safe to eat at 145°F2.
Your Own Traeger Rub
You can use your favourite rub for this recipe. Mine is Blackened Saskatchewan Seasoning.
If you want to DIY something close: a mix of salt, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and some cayenne peppers will get you close. Lots of black pepper and garlic powder!
How to Make Traeger Pork Tenderloin
Cooking pork tenderloin on the Traeger ensures a juicy, tender, and lightly smoky cut of meat.
Remove the pork tenderloin from its packaging and pat dry. Season generously on all sides with your favourite pork or Traeger rub.
Rest the pork at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while you preheat the grill to 400°F. This will allow the pork come to room temperature.
Once the grill is preheated and the pork has been resting, add the pork directly onto the grill grates and close the lid. Cook for 15 minutes, then flip, and cook another 10 minutes.
After a total of 25 minutes has elapsed, check the pork temperature. If it is below 135°F give it more time. You should aim to pull it off between 135-140°F for the final tenderloin to be 145°F.
Once it’s at temp, remove immediately to a clean plate and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve.
What To Serve with Dinner
If it’s really warm out and you’re looking to cool down, I suggest my Creamy Potato Salad. If you’re feeling like cooking everything outside today, you can try my Traeger Mac and Cheese or even a baked potato with all the fixin’s.
On the side, try a Strawberry Arugula Salad with Feta and Balsamic Dressing, Sautéed Green Beans, or a Spring Kale Salad with JOEY Copycat House Dressing.
If you make this, let me know how it was in the comments and please leave a rating 🙂
Traeger Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Remove the pork tenderloin from its packaging and pat dry. Season generously on all sides with your favourite pork or Traeger rub.
- Rest the pork at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while you preheat the grill to 400°F. This will allow the pork come to room temperature.
- Once the grill is preheated and the pork has been resting, add the pork directly onto the grill grates and close the lid. Cook for 15 minutes, then flip, and cook another 10 minutes.
- After a total of 25 minutes has elapsed, check the pork temperature. If it is below 135°F give it more time. You should aim to pull it off between 135-140°F for the final tenderloin to be 145°F.
- Once it's at temp, remove immediately to a clean plate and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve.