Isan Grilled Pork with Charred Corn

Juicy Isan-inspired grilled pork gets a bright lime–fish sauce dressing, toasted rice, fresh mint, and peak-August Washington corn and cucumber.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin
    12 ounces $3.99
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears $1.25
  • Cucumber
    1 medium $0.99
  • Green Onions
    3 green onions $1.50
  • Mint
    1/2 cup loosely packed leaves $1.49
  • Smart Way™ Jasmine Rice
    2 tablespoons uncooked $3.59
  • Fresh Organic Limes - Each
    3 tablespoons juice, from about 2 limes $1.50
  • Fish sauce
    1 1/2 tablespoons
  • Light brown sugar
    2 teaspoons
  • Thai chile flakes or crushed red pepper
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Neutral cooking oil
    2 teaspoons
  • Kosher salt
    3/4 teaspoon
  • Ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high, about 425°F. Thinly slice 3 green onions and 1 medium cucumber, tear 1/2 cup mint leaves, and set the prepared produce aside.
  2. Toast 2 tablespoons uncooked jasmine rice in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, shaking frequently, until deep golden and fragrant. Grind it finely, then whisk it with 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce, 2 teaspoons light brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon chile flakes in a large bowl.
  3. Pat 12 ounces pork tenderloin dry and rub it with 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Rub 2 ears corn with 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
  4. Grill the seasoned 12-ounce pork tenderloin for 12–16 minutes, turning every 3–4 minutes, until browned and 145°F at the center. Grill the seasoned 2 ears corn alongside it for 8–10 minutes, turning until lightly charred.
  5. Transfer the grilled 12-ounce pork tenderloin and 2 ears corn to a board; rest the pork for 5 minutes to keep it juicy.
  6. Thinly slice the rested 12-ounce pork tenderloin across the grain. Add it to the prepared dressing with the sliced 3 green onions, sliced 1 medium cucumber, and torn 1/2 cup mint leaves; toss until glossy and evenly coated.
  7. Divide the dressed pork mixture equally between 2 shallow bowls and serve 1 grilled corn ear alongside each portion.

Total time: 40 minutes

Estimated cost: $11–$13 using listed sale ingredients plus pantry staples

Health notes: Serves 2 at about 480 calories each, with roughly 40 grams of protein plus fiber-rich corn and cucumber.

Drink pairing: A chilled off-dry Riesling cools the chile heat while matching the sweet grilled corn and tangy lime dressing.