Chef John's Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork

Name: Easiest Way to Make Raw Pork Tenderloin Medallions
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 4 h 23 min
Yield: 6 servings

These mandarin pork tenderloin medallions are quick and easy to make (only about 30 minutes from start to finish) so it's a perfect meal for a busy weeknight.

Raw Pork Medallions Lifestyle Nourishment Stock Photo 149660928

Recipe Summary Chef John's Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork

This may not be an authentic Yucatan peninsula recipe, but it's just like a similarly named dish I had at a sports bar. It has vibrant citrus/chile flavors and a beautiful orange hue from ground annatto.

Ingredients | Raw Pork Tenderloin Medallions

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

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 pork tenderloins, trimmed

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

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.

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.

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.

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

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.

I garnished mine with cilantro and pickled onions. To make your own, thinly slice some red onions and cover them with red or white wine vinegar. Leave to soak for 4 hours or overnight, and that's it!

I think this easy marinade would work on all kinds of pork cuts, but the tenderloin is very user-friendly, and its mild flavor really takes to these ingredients.

Once grilled, you have so many options for enjoying these tenderloin chunks. Sandwiches, salads, and tacos are all wonderful choices, and I've also heard from a reliable source that diced, they make for an epic pan of nachos.

Info | Raw Pork Tenderloin Medallions

prep: 15 mins cook: 8 mins additional: 4 hrs total: 4 hrs 23 mins Servings: 6 Yield: 6 servings

TAG : Chef John's Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork

Meat and Poultry Recipes, Pork, Pork Tenderloin Recipes,