You will love, love, love this grilled, Chili Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze recipe! Quick, easy and delicious, it’s the perfect answer to the what’s for dinner tonight question!
I found this yummy recipe on Mel’s Kitchen Cafe Blog, several years ago, and we like it so much I have probably made it, at least, a dozen or so times. I have also served it to family and friends, and everyone loves it. In fact, recently, we had my son and his wife, and my husband’s daughter over and I served this with my Creamy Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes and White Acre Peas. It was a huge hit. It was a gorgeous evening, we were able to eat outside, and everything was delicious!
This entree is great for entertaining because you can make the Chili Rub and put the rub on the pork tenderloins up to 24 hours ahead of time and I also make the Apricot Glaze ahead, so all my husband has to do is pop the meat on the grill right before we are ready to eat.
This recipe is easy; it’s quick and best of all, really delicious! And, my blog followers seem to agree. This post for Chili Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze has been one of my most popular posts!
If you like pork tenderloin as we do, you might also like these popular recipes: Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Pork Tenderloin with Blackberry Sauce, and Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Dark Cherry Sauce.
To make Chili Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, gather all of your ingredients which include pork tenderloin, (I actually think this rub and glaze would be delicious on chicken too!) chili powder, garlic powder, sugar, apricot jam, barbecue sauce, and limes.
Combine the chili powder, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and rub the spice mixture on your pork tenderloins. Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours. I have marinated my tenderloins for varying periods of time depending on how prepared I was. No matter the length of time, the tenderloins have been delicious. Of course, the longer they sit the more delicious they become, but they are still really, really good even marinating less than an hour. If you don’t have 24 hours to let the meat marinate, don’t let this deter you. Make this dish anyway and leave the rub on as long as you can. I promise it’s delicious no matter what.
Melt the jam in a small saucepan and add the barbecue sauce. (The first time I made this, I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet and Spicy and it was a little too spicy for my husband. The second time, I used just regular Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce and he liked it much better.) Remove the pan from the heat and add the ginger, garlic powder, and lime juice. Place half of the glaze in a small bowl to serve with the pork later.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or 400 degrees. Grill the pork tenderloins for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer. When approximately 4 minutes of grilling time remains, coat the pork tenderloins liberally with the glaze. Cook for 2 minutes and turn and brush the glaze on the other side. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Remove the tenderloins from the grill, tent with foil and let them rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. Serve immediately.
*Leftovers, if you have any, make great sliders. Simply mix about a tablespoon of the leftover glaze with mayonnaise to make Apricot Aioli. Spread the aioli on a slider roll and top with a slice of pork tenderloin. Delicious!
You have to try this recipe! I promise it will quickly become one of your favorite “go-to” recipes!
Chili-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins
Spice Rub
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Glaze
- 1 ½ cups apricot jam/jelly
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 limes juiced
Instructions
- Combine chili powder, garlic powder, sugar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture on the pork tenderloins. Cover the tenderloins and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.
- Prior to grilling or roasting, melt the apricot jam in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining glaze ingredients. Place half of the glaze in a serving bowl and set aside to serve with the pork tenderloins later.
Grilling Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat or 400 degrees. Grill the pork tenderloins for 15-20 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 145 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer. When approximately 4 minutes of cook time remains, brush the pork tenderloins with the apricot glaze remaining in the pan. Cook for 2 minutes, turn the pork tenderloins and brush glaze on the other side. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove pork from the grill, tent with foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
Had this last Friday night. Score another win for Grits and Pinecones! Gonna have your Bourbon sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving-can’t wait!
Thanks for this recipe. My twists are that I used orange marmalade in the glaze and half the garlic in the rub. My husband seared the meat on high on the grill then cooked it for 30 minutes on medium, as per our grill instructions.
Hi Lorrie,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the tenderloin. The orange marmalade glaze does sound delicious and I’ll have to try that next time I make it. Thanks so much for letting me know.
All the best,
Sharon
Can sear in a cast iron skillet then roast in a 375 oven for 20-25 minutes
Hi Katherine, I’ve never tried cooking it this way, but I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t work. I would definitely use a meat thermometer though to make sure it doesn’t overcook. If you decide to try it this way, please let me know how it works out.
All the best,
Sharon
Made 4 of these to go on our graduation party buffet this evening, so far it is a home run!
I’m so glad you liked them. As you know they make great sliders. Just mix a tablespoon or so of your leftover Apricot Glaze with some mayonnaise and you have a wonderful Apricot Aioli to spread on your bread!
The Lewis clan enjoyed this delectable meal this evening. I put more lime juice than the recipe called for by accident but it still was great. Thanks for giving us new recipes to try. This is a keeper!
I made it last night…..: DELICIOUS!!
Great job Sharon?
So glad you liked it!
Ed and I love pork tenderloin so I’m looking forward to trying your recipe soon!
Thanks Carol! I know you will love it. You can also try different types of jams or preserves. I have some Raspberry Cranberry Preserves I am going to try next time.
Awesome looking dish! What time is dinner? 🙂 🙂
Come on over anytime!!