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5.0 from 3 votes

Sweet & Spicy Asian Pork Tenderloin Marinade

This simple pork tenderloin marinade is sweet and savory with a touch of heat. It transforms a plain pork loin into a tasty meal that requires only minutes of prep and a handful of ingredients!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 201 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup less sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions plus extra for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced or smashed garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger powder)
  • 1 large pork loin filet or 2 small pork tenderloins (about 2 lbs. total)
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ketchup, green onions, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Place pork in a large zip-top plastic bag. Pour the marinade into the bag, seal and toss gently to coat pork in marinade. Refrigerate pork and marinate for 30 minutes (or up to overnight), turning a couple of times.
  3. Remove the pork from the marinade. Reserve the marinade.
TO BAKE THE PORK IN THE OVEN:
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place the pork in a roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Allow the pork to rest while you prepare the sauce.
TO GRILL PORK:
  1. Heat an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan to medium heat. Place pork on the grill and cover. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, turning every few minutes, until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Allow the pork to rest while you prepare the sauce.
PREPARE THE SAUCE:
  1. Place the reserved marinade in a small saucepan. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan. Boil for at least 2 minutes, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens.
  2. Slice the pork and serve with the sauce. Garnish with additional sliced green onions, if desired.

Notes

  • Cooking just for two? Cut the ingredients in half and use just one pork tenderloin instead of two. The cooking instructions remain the same, although one small tenderloin will likely need only 20 minutes or so in the oven (or 12-14 minutes on the grill).
  • How long can pork tenderloin marinate? I recommend leaving the pork in this particular marinade for at least 30 minutes. If it's more convenient, you can prepare the marinade in advance and marinate the pork in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
  • If you don't have Sriracha ketchup, you can substitute with regular ketchup and add some Sriracha sauce or crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
  • Instead of ketchup, try using an equal amount of honey or brown sugar for a sweet marinade without any heat.
  • Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your meat. That's why a probe meat thermometer is the best way to tell when the pork tenderloin is done. The pork should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F before you take it off the grill (or out of the oven).
  • The pork will be flavorful, tender and juicy -- even without the finishing sauce. If you prefer to skip that step and serve the grilled pork without the thickened sauce, that's fine too!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/6 of the recipe Calories 201kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 98mg (33%) Sodium 481mg (20%) Potassium 638mg (18%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 45IU (1%) Vitamin C 0.6mg (1%) Calcium 9mg (1%) Iron 1.7mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 201

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/6 of the recipe
Calories 201kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Sodium 481mg 20%
Potassium 638mg 14%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 45IU 1%
Vitamin C 0.6mg 1%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 1.7mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.