Smoked Pork Tenderloin

This easy smoked pork tenderloin is one of my favorite things to make in my smoker! Marinate overnight then smoke for the best flavors.

5 from 9 votes

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2

Marinade Time 2

Total Time 4

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 130 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pork tenderloin about 1 to 1.5 lbs (note, pork loin is NOT the same as tenderloin)

For Marinade:

¼ cup Japanese BBQ Sauce see notes section for other marinade ideas

Instructions

Prepare the marinade:

Trim any excess fat from the tenderloin then place it in a large zip bag. Add the Japanese BBQ sauce (or other marinade) and ensure the tenderloin gets completely coasted. Press excess air out of the bag and seal it. (See notes section for other marinade ideas)
Let it marinate in the fridge for at least two hours, up to overnight.

Smoke the pork tenderloin:

Preheat your smoker to 225 °F (Note, it's fine to smoke pork tenderloin at a higher temp, it will go more quickly and possibly take on less smoke flavor)
Place the marinated pork tenderloin in the smoker and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest portion. Add some extra JBBQ sauce on top (or whatever marinade you're using).
Smoke until the internal temp reaches 145 °F then promptly remove from the smoker. This should take around 2 hours at 225 °F

Serve:

Let the tenderloin rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Slice against the grain, creating pieces that are about ½ inch think.
See the notes section for various ideas on what to serve this with!

Freeze:

Let the sliced meat cool down to room temperature, and portion it out based on how much you will want to reheat at once. Transfer the meat to vacuum sealer bags and seal (or store in a freezer safe zip bag with all of the air pressed out). Place in the freezer.
To reheat: defrost completely then gently heat in microwave until warmed through.

Notes

My number one use for this recipe is in my Tenderloin Tonkotsu Ramen, for which I'll make a lot of JBBQ marinated smoked pork tenderloin and freeze it for easy use in the ramen. The freezer step actually allows the smoke flavor to better distribute through the meat, which I think actually improves the flavor!

Marinade & Meal Ideas

Marinade: Japanese BBQ Sauce, or prepare like my Hoisin Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Meal Ideas: Tenderloin Tonkotsu Ramen, cube meat and use in fried rice, make JBBQ tacos or burritos, top other noodle dishes

Marinade: Mexican taco marinade, copy marinade recipe from my Tri Tip Tacos Recipe.

Meal Ideas: Cube meat and use in tacos & burritos

Dry Rub: Brown sugar spice rub from my Smoked Chicken Breast recipe, do NOT marinate the meat in the rub, apply the rub just before placing the meat in the smoker.

Meal Ideas: BBQ sandwiches, loaded mac and cheese, served with mashed potatoes,

Nutrition

Serving: 3 ozCalories: 130kcal

Keyword pork tenderloin, smoked, Smoked Pork Tenderloin

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