Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Quinoa Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork tenderloin marinated in bright citrus juices grilled to perfection, served alongside a quinoa salad tossed with warm spices and fresh herbs. This american southern-inspired pork ready in about 45 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American Southern cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin in a resealable bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
  3. Step 3: Stir into the quinoa 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground paprika, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Mix well and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove pork from marinade and discard marinade. Grill pork for 15-20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  5. Step 5: Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into medallions.
  6. Step 6: Serve sliced pork tenderloin over the spiced quinoa salad.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Quinoa Salad take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Spiced Quinoa 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 pork tenderloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Quinoa 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 Spiced Quinoa 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.

What goes well with Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Quinoa Salad?

American Southern 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.

Related recipes