Grilled Glazed Pork Tenderloin Roast

By Thom7747

Why This Recipe Works: To solve the problem of the tail of the tenderloin cooking faster than the thicker head and also to create a more presentation-worthy cut, we tied two tenderloins together, making a larger roast. Brining and then cooking partially over indirect heat ensured maximum retained juices, and scraping the insides of the tenderloins with a fork helped them stick together after cooking. Finally, we put together a few potent protein-rich glazes that undergo flavorful Maillard browning on the grill.

Ingredients

• 2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins, trimmed
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetable oil
• 1 recipe, glaze (see Related Content)

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from americastestkitchen.com

Preparation

Step 1

NOTE FROM THE TEST KITCHEN: Since brining is a key step in having the two tenderloins stick together, we don’t recommend using enhanced pork in this recipe.

1. Lay tenderloins on cutting board, flat side (side opposite where silver skin was) up. Holding thick end of 1 tenderloin with paper towels and using dinner fork, scrape flat side lengthwise from end to end 5 times, until surface is completely covered with shallow grooves. Repeat with second tenderloin. Dissolve 3 tablespoons salt in 1½ quarts cold water in large container. Submerge tenderloins in brine and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.

2. Remove tenderloins from brine and pat completely dry with paper towels. Lay 1 tenderloin, scraped side up, on cutting board and lay second tenderloin, scraped side down, on top so that thick end of 1 tenderloin matches up with thin end of other. Spray five 14-inch lengths of kitchen twine thoroughly with vegetable oil spray; evenly space twine underneath tenderloins and tie. Brush roast with vegetable oil and season with pepper. Transfer 1/3 cup glaze to bowl for grilling; reserve remaining glaze for serving.

3. Grill in use:

a) FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour into steeply banked pile against side of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.

b) FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave primary burner on high and turn off other burner(s).

c) Clean and oil cooking grate.

4. Place roast on cooler side of grill, cover, and cook until meat registers 115 degrees, 22 to 28 minutes, flipping and rotating halfway through cooking.

5. Slide roast to hotter part of grill and cook until lightly browned on all sides, 4 to 6 minutes. Brush top of roast with about 1 tablespoon glaze and grill, glaze side down, until glaze begins to char, 2 to 3 minutes; repeat glazing and grilling with remaining 3 sides of roast, until meat registers 140 degrees.

6. Transfer roast to carving board, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 10 minutes. Carefully remove twine and slice roast into 1/2-inch thick slices. Serve with remaining glaze.

RECIPE Satay Glaze
Satay Glaze

Why This Recipe Works: This potent protein-rich glaze undergoes flavorful Maillard browning on the grill.

Ingredients
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon red curry paste
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
½ cup canned coconut milk
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon lime juice
2½ teaspoons fish sauce

Instructions
MAKES ABOUT ¾ CUP

Heat oil in small saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add curry paste, garlic, and ginger; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in coconut milk and sugar and bring to simmer. Whisk in peanut butter until smooth. Remove pan from heat and whisk in

TECHNIQUES

Fusion Cooking: Turning Two Tenderloins into One.
To get around the usual problems with grilling pork tenderloin, we “fused” two together and cooked them as a single roast.

1. ROUGH UP: Scrape the flat sides of each tenderloin with a fork until the surface is covered with shallow grooves. This releases sticky proteins that will act as “glue.”

2. TIE TOGETHER: Arrange the tenderloins with the scraped sides touching and the thick end of one nestled against the thin end of the other. Tie the tenderloins together.