Chipotle-Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Charred Corn Salsa
Juicy pork tenderloin rubbed with smoky chipotle spices and grilled, paired with a fresh charred corn salsa bursting with flavor. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs pork tenderloin, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin
- 2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups (about 3 ears) fresh corn kernels
- 1/2 cup, finely diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 1 small, seeded and minced jalapeño
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp for salsa salt
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over the entire surface of 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place pork on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning to develop a char, until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove and let rest 10 minutes.
- Step 3: While pork rests, char 2 cups fresh corn kernels in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until blackened spots appear, about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine charred corn, 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1 minced jalapeño, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix well.
- Step 5: Slice pork tenderloin into 1/2-inch medallions and serve topped with the fresh charred corn salsa.









