Oaxacan Ancho Pork with Charred Corn Salsa

Juicy ancho-garlic pork and smoky summer corn salsa make this colorful Oaxacan-inspired dinner feel like a backyard feast.

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 Anaheim Pepper
    1 pepper (about 4 oz) $1.79
  • Garlic
    1 clove $0.79
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons
  • Ancho chile powder
    1 1/2 teaspoons
  • Ground cumin
    1 teaspoon
  • Dried Mexican oregano
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    2 teaspoons
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Fresh lime juice
    2 tablespoons
  • Fresh cilantro
    1/4 cup

Instructions

  1. Prepare a medium, two-zone grill with one side for direct heat and one side for indirect heat. Shuck 2 ears corn, dice 8 oz Roma tomato, mince 1 garlic clove, and chop 1/4 cup cilantro.
  2. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 1/2 teaspoons ancho chile powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Rub the mixture over 1 lb pork tenderloin and let it stand for 10 minutes.
  3. Coat 2 ears corn and 1 Anaheim pepper (about 4 oz) with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  4. Place the seasoned 1 lb pork tenderloin over indirect heat and grill with the lid closed, turning every 4–5 minutes, until it reaches 145°F, about 14–18 minutes. At the same time, grill 2 oiled ears corn and 1 oiled Anaheim pepper over direct heat for 8–10 minutes, turning until charred in spots.
  5. Rest the grilled 1 lb pork tenderloin for 5 minutes. Place the grilled 1 Anaheim pepper (about 4 oz) in a covered bowl for the same 5 minutes, then peel, stem, and seed it.
  6. Cut the kernels from the 2 grilled ears corn and dice the peeled 1 Anaheim pepper (about 4 oz). Toss them with 8 oz diced Roma tomato, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
  7. Slice the rested 1 lb pork tenderloin across the grain, divide it between two plates, and serve with all of the charred corn salsa.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: $7–$8 based on listed ingredients

Health notes: About 480 calories per serving, with roughly 45 grams protein, 30 grams carbohydrates, and 18 grams fat.

Drink pairing: A fruit-forward Grenache balances the smoky chile rub and bright lime salsa.