Pork tenderloin is a lean and tender cut of meat that can easily be overcooked With the right techniques, you can cook juicy, tender pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi Grill every time In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my best tips for grilling pork tenderloin to perfection in your Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill.
Why the Ninja Foodi Grill is Great for Pork Tenderloin
The Ninja Foodi Grill has several features that make it ideal for cooking pork tenderloin:
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Fast preheating The Ninja Foodi Grill preheats in just 5-10 minutes allowing you to sear the pork tenderloin quickly to lock in juices.
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Even heat The heating element is at the top of the grill and a fan circulates air for even cooking This prevents overcooking on the outside before the inside is done.
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Probe thermometer: The built-in probe thermometer monitors the internal temperature and shuts off automatically when done. This takes the guesswork out of determining doneness.
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Compact size: With less air space than a full-size grill, the Ninja Foodi Grill requires less time to preheat and cook food quickly.
Choosing and Preparing the Pork Tenderloin
When selecting a pork tenderloin to cook in the Ninja Foodi Grill, opt for a tenderloin that is about 1-1.5 lbs. This size will fit nicely in the grill and cook evenly. Larger tenderloins may not fit or may overhang the grates.
Before cooking, trim off any excess fat or silver skin on the tenderloin. The silver skin is the thick, shiny membrane on one side of the tenderloin. Leaving it on can cause the tenderloin to curl while cooking. Use a sharp knife to slice under the membrane and remove it.
Apply a dry rub, marinade, or simply salt and pepper to season the pork. Coating the tenderloin in seasoning will add lots of flavor as it cooks. If using a wet marinade, pat the tenderloin dry before cooking to prevent steaming.
Let the seasoned pork tenderloin sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling. This helps it cook more evenly.
Setting Up the Ninja Foodi Grill
Preheating the Ninja Foodi Grill properly is key for searing the outside of the pork while keeping the inside juicy.
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Remove the grill grate and preheat the grill on Broil mode for 5-10 minutes until it reads “Hot” on the display.
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While preheating, insert the probe into the thickest part of the tenderloin if using the built-in thermometer.
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Place the hot grill grate back in the Ninja Foodi Grill before adding the pork.
Grilling the Pork Tenderloin
Follow these simple steps for grilling tender, juicy pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi Grill:
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Place the tenderloin on the preheated grill grate. Press down lightly to maximize contact with the hot grates for better searing.
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Sear the tenderloin for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely browned. Use tongs to flip the tenderloin; avoid piercing it with a fork.
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For grill marks, rotate the tenderloin 90 degrees halfway through searing each side.
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Once seared on both sides, reduce the grill to Low or Medium temperature setting. This prevents overcooking.
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Close the grill and cook until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. The temperature will rise 5-10°F during resting time.
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If not using the probe, cook for 8-12 minutes total, flipping halfway. Time will vary based on size.
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When done cooking, remove the pork from the grill and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute.
Tips for Juicy, Tender Results
Follow these tips every time you make pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi Grill:
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Use a probe thermometer to monitor temperature and prevent overcooking. Take pork off grill at 135°F.
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Sear aggressively at a high temp to get a nice brown crust before turning down heat.
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Flip only once during cooking to keep moisture intact. Don’t pierce meat with a fork.
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Let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to reabsorb into meat.
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Slice thinly against the grain of the meat to maximize tenderness.
Common Pork Tenderloin Mistakes
It’s easy to dry out lean pork tenderloin if you aren’t careful. Avoid these common mistakes:
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Skipping the sear step and cooking solely at a low temp. This won’t develop flavorful browning.
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Cooking too long without monitoring temperature. Pork dries out quickly when overcooked.
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Cutting into the pork immediately after cooking. Juices will spill out without a proper rest time.
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Slicing with the grain instead of against it. Cutting against the grain makes pork more tender.
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Using too large of a tenderloin that doesn’t fit properly on the grates. Stick to around 1-1.5 lbs.
Serving Suggestions
Pork tenderloin is very versatile. Here are some tasty ways to use your grilled tenderloin:
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Slice thinly and serve over salad greens for a protein-packed meal.
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Chop or slice pork and add to fried rice, pasta, or stir fries.
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Make tacos or sandwiches with sliced grilled pork tenderloin.
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Pair with roasted veggies like potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus.
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Add to pizza, nachos, omelets, or breakfast hash.
Leftover grilled pork keeps well refrigerated for 3-4 days and is great for quick meals and snacks. The meat retains moisture and tenderness when properly cooked in the Ninja Foodi Grill.
Perfectly grilling pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi Grill results in tender, juicy meat when you follow the right techniques. Be sure to sear the outside to lock in juices, monitor temperature closely, let rest before slicing, and don’t overcook it. Master these simple methods and you’ll have delicious grilled pork tenderloin anytime. Enjoy experimenting with different spice rubs and serving ideas for this lean, flavorful cut of meat.