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Jamaican barbecued pork tenderloin

April 9, 2021
Recipe

Jamaican jerk spice is a popular rub for grilled chicken and pork. This adaptation adds punch to barbecued pork tenderloin.

Serves 4

This dry rub is inspired by the hot and spicy flavor of jerk seasoning.


In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the black pepper. Rub the spice mixture over the pork and let stand for 15 minutes.

In another small bowl, combine the vinegar, honey, tomato paste and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk to blend. Set aside.

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill or broiler (grill) to medium-high or 400 F. Away from the heat source, lightly coat the grill rack or broiler pan with cooking spray. Position the cooking rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source.

Place the pork on the grill rack or broiler pan. Grill or broil at medium-high heat, turning several times, until browned on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes total. Remove to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat and continue cooking for 14 to 16 minutes.

Baste with the vinegar-honey glaze and continue cooking until the pork is slightly pink inside and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 160 F, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

To serve, slice the pork tenderloin crosswise into 16 pieces and arrange on a warmed serving platter, or divide the slices among individual plates.


  • 2 teaspoons firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pork tenderloin, about 1 pound, trimmed of visible fat
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dark honey
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste

DASH Eating Plan Servings

Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) Fats and oils Fruits Grains and grain products 3 Meats, poultry and fish Nuts, seeds and dry beans 1/2 Sweets Vegetables

Diabetes Meal Plan Choices

Fats Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) Fruits 3 Meat and meat substitutes Milk and milk products Nonstarchy vegetables Starches 1/2 Sweets, desserts and other carbohydrates

Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid Servings

Carbohydrates Fats Fruits 1 Protein and dairy 1/2 Sweets Vegetables

Nutritional analysis per serving

Calcium 143 Calories 6 g Total carbohydrate 74 mg Cholesterol 1 g Dietary fiber 1 g Monounsaturated fat Potassium 24 g Protein 1 g Saturated fat 4 slices Serving size 509 mg Sodium 2.5 g Total fat