When friends and family come over for a BBQ, this Smoked Pork Loin is the perfect roast to make for everyone. It’s juicy, easy to make, and only requires a few ingredients. So fire up that smoker, grab some of my Sweet Rub, and let’s get cooking!.
Pork loin has a reputation for easily drying out and being bland, but cooking it on a pellet grill promises juicy, tender meat infused with delicious wood-fired flavor The indirect heating and smoky environment of a pellet grill keeps moisture in the lean pork loin while adding taste.
Follow these tips and techniques for grilling the perfect pork loin on your pellet grill every time.
Benefits of Cooking Pork Loin on a Pellet Grill
Pellet grills provide key advantages for pork loin:
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Low, indirect heat prevents drying out the lean meat.
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Exposure to smoke adds flavor to the mild pork,
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Precise temperature control ensures proper doneness.
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Hands-free convenience makes it easy to cook alongside other foods.
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Minimal supervision needed once started.
Choosing the Right Pork Loin
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Select a boneless loin roast around 2-3 lbs. Larger roasts cook unevenly.
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Choose a roast with some fat cap for added moisture and flavor.
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Plan for 1/2 lb of meat per person when estimating quantity to buy.
Tricks for Maximizing Moisture
Since pork loin is so lean, retaining moisture is crucial. Try these tips:
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Brine the pork in saltwater or buttermilk beforehand to infuse it with extra moisture.
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Coat with mustard or oil before applying rub, which helps seal in juices.
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Spritz with apple juice or broth during cooking to keep the surface moist.
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Wrap in bacon or prosciutto to provide fat to baste the meat.
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Don’t pierce meat with a fork, which causes juices to escape.
Ideal Pellet Grill Setup
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Use a two-zone fire for indirect cooking, with no direct heat under the pork loin.
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Soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes then add to the fire for extra smoke flavor.
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Grill around 250°F, adjusting as needed to maintain steady temperature.
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Place a drip pan underneath to catch drippings for making a sauce or gravy later.
Step-by-Step Cooking Method
Follow these simple steps:
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Trim any excess fat from pork loin. Rinse and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
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Coat all over with oil or mustard. Apply preferred seasonings, rubs, or marinade.
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Insert a meat probe into the center of the thickest part of the loin.
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Place pork fat side up on grill, away from direct heat. Close lid.
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Cook until probe reads 140°F. Time varies based on size, usually 1-2 hours.
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Remove pork loin from grill, tent with foil, and allow to rest 10-15 minutes before slicing to serve.
Adding Smoke Flavor
The smoky environment of the pellet grill infuses great flavor. Enhance it with:
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Hickory, apple, maple, cherry, or pecan pellets in the hopper.
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Soaked wood chips added to the fire, like hickory, mesquite, apple, or cherry.
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Spraying loin with apple juice instead of water when spritzing.
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Smoking for 1 hour before switching to high heat to finish cooking.
Savory Pork Loin Pellet Pairings
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Apple – Sweet fruitiness complements the pork. Brings out seasoning flavors.
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Cherry – Provides a milder fruitwood smoke that enhances pork’s flavor.
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Maple – Imparts a touch of woodsy sweetness perfect for pork.
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Hickory – Robust, bacon-like flavor gives pork a hearty taste.
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Mesquite – Strong smoke notes pair well with pork’s mildness. Use sparingly.
Serving Suggestions
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Allow pork loin to rest at least 10 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
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Slice pork loin into medallions 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
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Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce, mustard, applesauce, or sweet glaze.
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Pair with roasted potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, or macaroni and cheese.
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Use leftovers for sandwiches, salads, stir fries, omelets, or breakfast burritos.
Avoiding Pitfalls
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Use a meat probe to prevent overcooking. Pork dries out quickly when overcooked.
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Let pork loin rest before slicing into it so juices redistribute.
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Keep the pellet grill temperature steady. Fluctuating heat can cause uneven cooking.
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Apply rubs sparingly on pork loin since the lean meat can easily get too salty.
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Resist opening the grill too frequently, which causes heat and smoke loss.
Troubleshooting Problems
Undercooked? Double check temperature with a probe. Pork needs to reach 145°F.
Dried out? Don’t overcook and tent with foil when resting. Inject or brine pork first.
Bland flavor? Use more seasoning or rub. Try a marinade or brine. Add smoke flavor.
No smoke ring? Make sure pellet grill is producing sufficient smoke during cooking.
Uneven cooking? Pick evenly sized roast and properly preheat grill before cooking.
The Takeaway
Cooking pork loin on a pellet grill results in juicy, flavorful meat when proper techniques are followed. Choosing an appropriately sized roast, seasoning boldly, retaining moisture, regulating grill temperature, and avoiding overcooking are the keys to success. With minimal effort, the pellet grill can turn lean pork loin into an incredibly tender and tasty meal the entire family will love.
How Long to Smoke a Pork Loin
Smoking a pork loin can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours to fully cook. A pork loin’s cooking time depends on a number of factors, such as the type of smoker you use, how stable the temperature is in your smoker, and how thick the pork loin is.
You will hear me frequently recommend cooking to temperature and not to time when smoking meats. I like to use my ThermoWorks Mk4 or Smoke 2-Channel Alarm when smoking meat to ensure I’m cooking to my preferred doneness. For this pork loin roast, smoke until your meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Once it has reached this temperature, allow it to rest for 10-15 additional minutes while tented with foil.
Smoked Pork Loin Rub
This pork loin goes from good to great with the addition of my amazing sweet rub. This rub combines 8 different seasonings that come together to make a wonderfully sweet, and slightly spicy rub. If you’d like to make your own at home, check out my post for my Best Sweet Rub.
Even better, go to Patio Provisions and get some Hey Grill Hey Signature Sweet Rub for yourself. If you need more, you can buy a 2-pound bag or a 6- or 12-ounce bottle of this rub. That being said, this makes the best smoked pork loin rub. It also tastes great on chicken, salmon, vegetables, and other things.
Smoked Pork Loin on the Traeger Pellet Grill with MotG Rub
FAQ
How long do you cook a pork loin on a pellet grill?
How long does it take to smoke a pork loin at 225?
How do you keep a pork loin moist when smoking?
How do you smoke pork loin on a pellet grill?
Apply the dry rub and allow it to sit at room temperature for half hour. Smoke – Place pork loin on preheated pellet grill fat side up. Insert the temperature probe if you are using a Bluetooth thermometer. Close pellet grill lid and cook at 220 degrees until the internal temp of pork loin is 145 degrees. How long to smoke pork loin?
How long do you cook pork loin on a pellet grill?
Place pork loin on preheated pellet grill with fat side up. If you have a temperature probe insert into thickest part of pork loin. Close pellet grill lid and cook at 220 degrees for 2 1/2 – 3 hours or until the internal temp of pork loin is 145 degrees. Remove from pellet grill and let rest for 10 minutes. Cut into slices and serve immediately.
How do you cook Traeger pork loin on a pellet grill?
Traeger Pork Loin is juicy, tender, and flavorful. You can prep it in 5 minutes or less and then let your pellet grill do the work. Rub the pork with the honey and then coat with the dry rub. Smoked for 1.5 to 2 hours at 250 degrees or until the internal temperature is 140-145. Let rest covered with foil for 15 minutes before slicing.
How do you smoke a pork loin on a Z Grill?
You will then gently rub the seasoning into the meat. Place the wrapped pork loin in the center of your Z Grills smoker to provide a nice and even finish, and smoke for an hour. After the meat reaches 140°F, you will want to raise the temperature to 350°F for about 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 150°F.