Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Rice Pilaf

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork tenderloin marinated in a tangy citrus glaze paired with a warm spiced rice pilaf featuring toasted almonds and dried apricots. This mediterranean-inspired pork ready in about 50 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, orange juice, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Place 1 lb pork tenderloin in a resealable bag and pour marinade over it. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove pork from marinade, discard marinade, and grill pork tenderloin for 15-20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, rinse 1 cup basmati rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup slivered almonds and toast for 2 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
  4. Step 4: Add rinsed rice, 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, and 2 cups chicken broth to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork before serving with sliced pork.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Rice Pilaf take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Rice Pilaf?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork tenderloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Rice Pilaf?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Rice Pilaf for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Rice Pilaf?

Mediterranean pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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