Chef John'S Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork Recipe

Name: Chef John'S Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 oranges, juiced; 2 lemons, juiced, or more to taste; 2 limes, juiced, or more to taste; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon annatto powder, or more to taste, plus more to sprinkle on before grilling; 1 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 pork tenderloins, trimmed; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Servings: persons

2 oranges, juiced
2 lemons, juiced, or more to taste
2 limes, juiced, or more to taste
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon annatto powder, or more to taste, plus more to sprinkle on before grilling
1 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pork tenderloins, trimmed
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1
Place orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice in a bowl. Add garlic, kosher salt, annatto powder, chipotle powder, ground cumin, cayenne, oregano, and black pepper. Whisk until well blended.
2
Cut the tenderloins in half crosswise; cut each piece in half lengthwise. Place pieces in marinade and thoroughly coat with the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap with the wrap touching the surface of the meat and marinade. (Or transfer mixture to a resealable plastic bag.) Refrigerate 4 to 6 hours.
3
Transfer pieces of pork from marinade to a paper-towel-lined bowl to absorb most of the moisture. Discard paper towels. Drizzle vegetable oil and a bit more annatto powder on the pork.
4
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
5
Place pieces evenly spaced on a hot grill. Allow meat to sear onto the grate until pieces can be easily turned, 4 or 5 minutes. Turn and grill on the other side another 4 or 5 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 135 to 140 degrees F (63 degrees C). Transfer onto a serving platter and allow meat to rest about 5 minutes before serving.

221

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 oranges, juiced, 2 lemons, juiced, or more to taste, 2 limes, juiced, or more to taste, 6 cloves garlic, minced, and more.

Yes, Chef John'S Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Chef John'S Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions