One of my favorite summer grilling recipes is this Marinated Grilled Maple Pork because it's so easy and loaded with flavor! I love recipes that I can walk away from and all the hard work is done for me. With this recipe, it takes about 5 minutes to throw the maple pork marinade together, then you add the meat, pop it in the fridge and go about your day.
All the while, magic is happening- the flavorful ingredients in this marinade are becoming one with the meat. Then you simply grill it. The end result is a Grilled Maple Pork that's perfect for Father's Day or any summer BBQ and Weight Watchers Friendly at 5 WW points on my plan. And you barely have to do anything. It pairs well with my Onion Baked Potatoes in Foil (3 Ingredients).
Jump to:
- 🐖What type of pork to use?
- 💭Is there a difference between Pork loin and Pork tenderloin?
- 🎥 Video: How to cut a pork loin
- 🥘Ingredients in Maple Pork Marinade
- 📖Variations and Substitutions
- 🔪Instructions
- 👪 Serving Size
- 🔢WW Points
- 🍽Equipment
- 💭 Top Tip
- 🥗 Side Dishes
- 🌡️Storage
- ❔ Frequently Asked Questions
- ⭐ Reviews
- 📋 Marinated Grilled Maple Pork Recipe
- 📋 More Pork Recipes!
🐖What type of pork to use?
I usually use buy a whole pork loin and cut it up and freeze it. It's very easy, economical and delicious and I use it for so many dishes, like my Pork with Creamy Mushroom Salsa. But it's really ideal for grilling. Although, you could use any type of pork with this recipe. I have used pork chops and pork tenderloin as well.
💭Is there a difference between Pork loin and Pork tenderloin?
Yes there is a difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin. A pork loin is wider and flatter, and can be a boneless or bone-in cut of meat. A pork tenderloin is a long, narrow, boneless cut of meat that comes from the muscle that runs along the backbone. Pork tenderloin has less fat so it's leaner, smaller and a little more expensive. You can read more about the difference between pork tenderloin and pork loin HERE.
🎥 Video: How to cut a pork loin
Cutting a pork loin is simple, but if you've never done it, then check out this video showing you how to cut pork loin.
🥘Ingredients in Maple Pork Marinade
I love this maple syrup marinade for pork because it's a great way to infuse a ton of flavor into your pork loin, pork tenderloin or pork chops, without a lot of work. And If you love lemon and maple this marinade creates a symphony of delicious infused flavor that will soon become one of your summer grilling favorites! And if you love delicious pork marinades, try my Soy Ginger and Lemon Marinade.
For this maple pork marinade, you will need:
- maple syrup
- lemon juice (fresh)
- garlic
- thyme
- Dijon mustard
- vegetable oil
- lemon zest
*See recipe card for quantities
📖Variations and Substitutions
- Pork - you can use any cut of pork for this recipe: bone in or boneless pork, pork chops, pork loin, or pork tenderloin for this recipe
- Thyme- you can use fresh thyme, but you'll need double the amount.
- Garlic - fresh garlic is best, but you could use minced garlic in a jar (I always keep a jar in my fridge in case I run out of fresh)
- Maple Syrup - I use a low- sugar, but you could use (pure) real maple syrup or sugar-free
- Vegetable Oil - you can use canola oil or olive oil instead
🔪Instructions
Heads up: There is a minimum 6 hour marinating time with this recipe!
- Pat meat dry with a paper towels, then score pork by simply poking holes in it with a fork- I do this 5-6 times for each piece.*This allows the marinade to be absorbed.
Marinade: Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a small bowl and pour maple syrup mixture over meat. Turn to coat.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours, but I usually refrigerate overnight or while I'm working all day.
- Remove meat from marinade and reserve marinade.
- In a small saucepan, bring marinade to a boil, reduce heat and and cook for 5 minutes. Keep warm.
- Cook time: Preheat grill to medium-high and grill for about 7-8 minutes, then turn. (*This will depend on the type of pork you use and how thick the cut is. You may need a little more or a little less time) Cook until no longer pink (brushing occasionally with warm marinade.) Remove when internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
- Remove meat from grill and serve.
Garnish:
- Garnish with thyme and fresh lemon wedges, if desired.
Alternatively, you could cook this pork in a large skillet on the stove top or in the air fryer.
👪 Serving Size
This lemon maple marinade recipe makes 6 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🔢WW Points
This maple pork recipe is Weight Watchers friendly @5 WW points on my plan.*NOTE: This recipe is calculated using every drop of the marinade. If you use less, then the calories, fat etc.. will be reduced.
🍽Equipment
You will need a grill or an air fryer and a meat thermometer comes in handy too (affiliate links) for this recipe.
💭 Top Tip
Did you know that temperature is the BEST way to check for doneness? No more cutting into your meat mid-grilling, guessing or hoping it's done.
This thermometer (affiliate link) is a game changer!
- But it's more than just a meat thermometer! I use my Thermapen for everything from baking pie and bread to eggs, casseroles, candy making and more!
- This amazing little tool instantly and accurately measures temperature with a quick poke. And it's not just for the grill, it's the go-to kitchen instrument trusted by the world's most acclaimed chefs and BBQ champions (it's one of Alton Brown's 'favorite things')!
- And it comes with a handy little chart that gives you chef recommended temperatures, as well as the minimum done temps for food safety.
If you love cooking, baking or grilling, this tool is a must-have!
Click HERE to buy the Thermapen (affiliate link)
🥗 Side Dishes
What goes well with bbq pork: check out these 15 Summer BBQ Side Dishes
🌡️Storage
Store leftover maple pork chops or pork loin in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. This can be frozen for up to 3 months in a sealed container.
❔ Frequently Asked Questions
Preheat grill to medium-high heat and grill for about 7-8 minutes, then turn. (*This will depend on the type of pork you use and how thick the cut is. You may need a little more or a little less time) Remove when internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
The secret to cooking tender pork is to either salt it or marinate it and do not overcook it. The best way to check for doneness is by internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Pork is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
If you're looking for a delicious pork tenderloin, pork loin or pork chop recipe, you'll love this Grilled Maple Pork Recipe!
⭐ Reviews
Did you make this maple pork recipe? If you loved it, please leave a 5 star rating and a comment below!
📋 Marinated Grilled Maple Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless pork loin slices (about 6) * You can use pork loin, pork chops or pork tenderloin, with bone or boneless
Maple Lemon Marinade
- 4 tablespoon low sugar maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Heads up: There is a minimum 6 hour marinating time with this recipe!
- Score pork by simply poking holes in it with a fork- I do this 5-6 times for each piece.*This allows the marinade to seep inside.
Marinade
- Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a small bowl and pour over meat. Turn to coat.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours, but I usually refrigerate overnight or while I'm working all day.
- Remove meat from marinade and reserve marinade.
- In a small saucepan, bring marinade to a boil, reduce heat and and cook for 5 minutes. Keep warm.
- Preheat grill to medium-high and grill for about 7-8 minutes, then turn. (*This will depend on the type of pork you use and how thick the cut is. You may need a little more or a little less time)
- Cook until no longer pink (brushing occasionally with warm marinade.)
- Remove meat from grill and serve.
Garnish:
- Garnish with thyme and fresh lemon wedges, if desired.
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