Before we get to the method for cooking a pork loin on a gas grill and related recipes, it is important to clarify that pork loin and pork tenderloin are not the same things. Many people today think that there is no difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin. However, the truth of the matter is that there is a quite noticeable difference between the two.
While the tenderloin is the muscle that runs along the pig’s lower back or backbone, the pork loin comes from the back of the hog and is much bigger and tender than the tenderloin. With the difference between a pork loin and a pork tenderloin clear, you can now make an informed decision about which one you want to grill.
Considering that this instruction guide is about how to grill a pork loin on a gas grill, we would like to think that you have chosen to cook the pork loin rather than the tenderloin. If that is the case, then you’ll be happy to know that we are going to provide you with all the information you need for grilling a pork loin on a gas grill. This includes the ingredients to use, the method for grilling pork loin, the options for seasoning, the total time to cook the pork loin, and the step-by-step instructions for grilling the pork loin. Let’s begin.
Learn How to Grill a Pork Loin on a Gas Grill
An inexpensive cut of meat, pork loin tastes best when it is grilled. Grilling a pork loin locks in the juices and gives the meat a nice, smoky flavor. When it comes to grilling meat, the pork loin is a great choice because of its mild flavor. The mild flavor of the pork loin makes it better than most other types of meat cooked on the grill.
However, just like with any other type of meat, there are a few don’ts when cooking a pork loin on a gas grill. The first of them is making sure the pork loin is not overcooked. If this happens, then the pork loin will dry out and you won’t get the mild flavor of the meat.
Another thing to avoid when cooking pork loin on a gas grill is making sure you don’t cook it on high-heat or temperature. If you cook the pork loin on high heat, then it will dry before the inside is even cooked. This is because the pork loin is a large chunk of meat. Now that you know the things to avoid when grilling a pork loin, you are ready to find how to grill a pork loin.
The Best Way to Grill a Pork Loin
Indirect cooking is the most common and the most effective way to grill pork loin. What does indirect cooking involve? Placing the meat on the side of grill which is opposite to the heat source. The idea is to allow the pork loin to more slowly come to temperature by creating a gentler heat around it. If you decide to position the pork loin on the same side as the heat source, then the meat’s exterior is likely to blacken, become dry, or even burn before the inside is cooked or safe to eat.
Ingredients for Barbecuing a Pork Loin
If you want to grill a nice, big juicy pork loin, then you will need to gather the right ingredients for it. So, what are the ingredients you need for cooking a lean and flavorful pork loin on a gas grill? Following is the complete list of ingredients needed for grill a pork loin:
- 4 lb. pork loin
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 dash cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
These are all the ingredients that you will need for cooking a flavorful and juicy pork loin on a gas grill. Once you have gathered all these ingredients, you can start to think about grilling a pork loin. We will provide you with the step-by-step instructions for doing this. However, before we get to that, it’s important to find out how long it will take for you to grill the pork loin.
The Duration to Grill Pork Loin
If you turn up the heat on your gas grill to a 325 ° temperature, then it will take you about an hour and forty-five minutes to cook a 4-pound pork loin. However, the duration for grilling a pork loin could be more or less, depending on the heat on your gas grill and the size of meat you are grilling. However, since we recommend a 4-pound pork loin and a 325 ° temperature, you should expect your pork loin to grill in an hour and 45 minutes.
When it comes to grilling a pork loin, you must know one hack. The hack that we’re referring to is the use of a double probe digital thermometer. This is quite literally the best thing to have when grilling a pork loin or any other meat for that matter.
By attaching one probe of the digital thermometer to the pork loin’s center and the other on the grill grate, you can find out the internal temperature of the meat and monitor the grill temperature at the same time. This will help you ensure that your pork loin does not dry, burn, or blacken before it is cooked from the inside. So, if you’re looking to grill a flavorful and nicely-cooked pork loin, get yourself a double probe digital thermometer. This is one of the best advice that we can give you.
Seasoning the Pork Loin Before Grilling
There are many options available to you for seasoning a pork loin before you grill it. While there is a wide range of seasoning that you can use, we recommend seasoning your pork loin with a mixture of black pepper, mustard powder, garlic, onion, and paprika. However, if you think that another mix of ingredients would provide you with a better seasoning for your pork loin, then, by all means, go ahead with it.
You can prepare your own seasoning and still follow the cooking instructions provided by us for cooking the perfect pork loin on a gas grill.
Instructions for Cooking a Pork Loin on a Gas Grill
Finally, we come to the instructions or the step-by-step process for cooking a pork loin on a gas grill. While you can grill the pork loin on a charcoal grill as well, we recommend grilling it on a gas grill; there are fewer chances with the latter causing your pork loin drying, burning, or blackening before it is cooked from the inside.
With the reason you need to cook the pork loin on a gas grill clear, we can move onto the preparation time, the cooking time, servings, calories, and most importantly the step-by-step instructions for cooking a pork loin on a gas grill.
Type:
Main/Entrée
Cooking Method:
Grilled
Preparation Time:
3 minutes
Cook Time:
1 hour 45 minutes
Resting Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour 58 minutes
Servings:
8
Calories:
316
Instructions for Cooking a Pork Loin on a Gas Grill
Following are the steps involved in cooking a pork loin on a gas grill:
- Lightly salt the pork loin all the way through and apply cooking oil to it using a brush or your hands
- Take a small bowl and mixthe black pepper, mustard powder, garlic, onion, and paprika to create the seasoning for the pork loin
- Once you have created the seasoning, dust the pork loin from all sides. You can discard any seasonings that are left unused
- Set the gas grill’s burner on the far side to medium heat and position the pork loin on the opposite side of the heat source
- Adjust the burner on the gas grill to take the grill temperature nearer to the recommended325 ° degrees
- Turn/flip the pork loin after every fifteen to thirty minutes to make sure that both sidesof the meat are cooked evenly
- When the internal temperature of the meat reaches 145 degrees, your pork loin will be done. This will happen approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes after you place the pork loin on the grill for cooking. As recommended earlier, use a double probe digital thermometer to keep track of both the grill temperature and the internal temperature of the meat while your pork loin is on the grill
- Remove the pork loin from the grill and allow it to rest for ten minutes
- Slice and serve
As mentioned earlier, the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the pork loin and the temperature at which you cook. While keeping the temperature to 325 ° is recommended, you can grill a flavorful and juicy pork loin by cooking at any temperature between 275 ° and 350 °.
