Chile-Lime Pork with Grilled Corn Salsa

Smoky lime-marinated pork tenderloin meets a colorful grilled corn, tomato, and avocado salsa that showcases Washington’s peak August produce.

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 Lime
    1 $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
    1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, about 425°F, setting up one cooler area for indirect cooking; clean and oil the grates while the grill heats for 10 minutes.
  2. 2. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, zest and juice from 1/2 lime, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pat 1 lb pork tenderloin dry, coat it with the mixture, and let it stand while the corn cooks.
  3. 3. Rub 2 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 8 oz diced Roma tomato, 1 diced avocado, 1 finely chopped small jalapeño, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, juice from 1/2 lime, and 1/4 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 the center reaches 145°F.
  6. 6. Transfer the 1 lb grilled pork tenderloin to a board and rest it for 5 minutes. Slice it across the grain, divide it between two plates, and spoon all of the grilled corn salsa 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 plus fiber and unsaturated fat from corn and avocado.

Drink pairing: A crisp Mexican lager cools the chile-lime flavors, while an off-dry Riesling offers a wine-friendly alternative.