Chile-Lime Pork with Charred Corn Salsa

Juicy chile-lime pork and flame-charred summer corn salsa deliver a colorful, restaurant-worthy Tex-Mex dinner straight from the grill.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin
    1 lb $2.99
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears $0.75
  • Fresh Roma Tomato
    8 oz $1.49
  • Fresh Medium Ripe Avocado
    1 $1.00
  • Fresh Organic Limes - Each
    1 lime $1.29
  • Fresh Jalapeno Peppers
    1 small pepper $1.99
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
    1/4 cup
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons
  • Honey
    2 teaspoons
  • Chili powder
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground cumin
    1 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    2 teaspoons
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, about 425°F, creating one cooler area for indirect cooking. While it heats for 10 minutes, dice 8 oz Roma tomato and 1 avocado, finely chop 1 small jalapeño, chop 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, and husk 2 ears corn.
  2. 2. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, the zest and juice from 1/2 lime, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pat 1 lb pork tenderloin dry, coat it thoroughly with the mixture, and let it stand while the corn cooks.
  3. 3. Rub the 2 husked ears corn with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Grill the 2 ears corn over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until tender and lightly charred; transfer them to a cutting board.
  4. 4. Cut the kernels from the 2 grilled ears corn and combine them with the diced 8 oz Roma tomato, diced 1 avocado, chopped 1 small jalapeño, chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, juice from 1/2 lime, and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
  5. 5. Grill the coated 1 lb pork tenderloin over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes to brown all sides. Move it to the cooler area, cover, and cook for 4 to 8 minutes, until its thickest part reaches 145°F.
  6. 6. Transfer the 1 lb grilled pork tenderloin to a clean cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute.
  7. 7. Slice the rested 1 lb pork tenderloin across the grain, divide it between two plates, and serve with all of the grilled corn salsa spooned alongside and over the pork.

Total time: 50 minutes

Estimated cost: $7–$9 for 2 servings

Health notes: About 620 calories per serving, with roughly 50 grams of protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and unsaturated fat from avocado.

Drink pairing: A crisp Mexican lager refreshes after the smoky chile-lime flavors, while an off-dry Riesling makes a lively wine pairing.