Chef John’s Grilled Jerk Pork Tenderloin
Grilled pork with a spicy jerk flavor.
The jerk flavor comes from ingredients like habanero peppers and thyme.
To make it, you need to prepare a marinade and let the pork sit in it for a few hours.
By Nadia Kovalenko
Posted October 15, 2026Share
Time
Calories
Servings
Difficulty
Description
Grilled pork with a spicy jerk flavor.
The jerk flavor comes from ingredients like habanero peppers and thyme.
To make it, you need to prepare a marinade and let the pork sit in it for a few hours.
Quick Tip Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
Ingredients 15
2 (1 1/2 pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed of silver skin
0.5 medium onion, chopped
0.33333334326744 cup fresh thyme leaves
0.25 cup white vinegar
4 cloves garlic
2 habanero peppers, seeded, or more to taste
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground allspice
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
-
1
Cut the pork tenderloin in half and set the thinner end aside. Cut the thicker end in half lengthwise so you have 3 pieces that are similar in size.
-
2
Make the marinade by blending onion, thyme, vinegar, garlic, habanero peppers, ginger, soy sauce, vegetable oil, brown sugar, allspice, black pepper, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon until smooth.
-
3
Put the marinade in a resealable plastic bag. Add the pork pieces and coat with the marinade. Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
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4
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
-
5
Grill the pork on the preheated grill, moving as necessary to avoid overcooking the thin parts, until dark grill marks appear and the pork lifts easily from the grill, 6 to 7 minutes per side. The internal temperature should be 145 degrees F.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Amount Per Serving
-
Calories 337 kcal
% Daily Value *
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Total Fat 16g
-
Saturated Fat 5g
-
Cholesterol 127mg
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Sodium 389mg
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Total Carbohydrate 6g
-
Dietary Fiber 1g
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Protein 41g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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