Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Avocado and Cucumber Salad
Tender pork tenderloin marinated in bright citrus flavors, grilled to juicy perfection, and served alongside a refreshing avocado and cucumber salad. This whole30 (whole30) ready in about 35 minutes pairs trimmed pork tenderloin, fresh squeezed orange juice, fresh squeezed lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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, trimmed pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup, fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 tbsp, fresh squeezed lime juice
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 large, diced ripe avocado
- 1 medium, diced English cucumber
- 1/4 small, thinly sliced red onion
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp extra lime juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for salad)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place 1.5 lbs trimmed pork tenderloin in a resealable bag and pour marinade over it. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours.
- Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove pork from marinade and pat dry. Grill pork tenderloin for 12-15 minutes total, turning every 3-4 minutes until an internal temperature of 145°F is reached.
- Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 1 large diced ripe avocado, 1 medium diced English cucumber, 1/4 small thinly sliced red onion, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro in a bowl. Drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1 tbsp olive oil, tossing gently to combine.
- Step 4: Remove pork from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve sliced pork tenderloin with the avocado cucumber salad on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Avocado and Cucumber Salad take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Avocado and Cucumber Salad?
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 trimmed pork tenderloin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Avocado and Cucumber Salad?
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-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Avocado and Cucumber Salad 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.
Is Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Avocado and Cucumber Salad whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.