Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Peach Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Peach Chipotle Barbecue Sauce is spicy, sweet and smoky!  This delicious dry rub is great on any cut of pork.

If you don’t already have a favorite (or secret) dry rub recipe for pork, you’re going to want to save this one!

When my husband purchased his first smoker, I gave him “Charcuterie, The Craft of Salting, Smoking and Curing” by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn.  (Affiliate link.)

This rub (which is in the book) caught his attention immediately and it has become a mainstay in our spice cabinet.  Whenever we smoke ribs or pork butt, this spice rub is on it!  However, this is a great rub for any cut of pork!

This flavorful rub has:

• Smoked paprika
• Salt, preferably kosher
• Chili powder
• Ground coriander
• Freshly ground black pepper
• White pepper
• Dried oregano
• Cayenne pepper
• Dark brown sugar

My husband kicks it up with more cayenne, black pepper and white pepper.

This rub is flavorful on its own and forms a delicious crust that holds in the tenderloin juices when grilled.  The addition of the peach chipotle barbecue sauce sends it over the top!  I made it with peach preserves which, we in the South, tend to have on hand almost all the time.

What’s the difference between pork tenderloin and pork loin?

Try not to confuse “pork loin” with “pork tenderloin.”  They are two very different cuts of meat.

• The tenderloin is a long, narrow, boneless cut that comes from the muscle that runs along the backbone.  Pork tenderloin is most often sold two per package which averages anywhere between two and three pounds per package.
• The loin is wider and flatter and is sold boneless or bone-in.  Pork chops, whether bone-in or boneless are always cut from the loin.  A full loin can weigh up to five pounds.

How to make Peach Chipotle Barbecue Sauce:

• Heat oil in a saucepan, add the onion and cook until onion is very soft.  Stir in the garlic and cook a little longer.
• Add the water, ketchup, peach preserves, cider vinegar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce and chipotle chiles. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer while cooking the pork.
• While the pork is resting, puree the sauce in a food processor or blender until smooth.  Otherwise, leave it just a tad chunky from the onions and chipotle for added texture.

Delish!  This sauce is also great with chicken!

For more great pork tenderloin recipes, be sure to try my:

• Spicy Tahini Pork Medallions with Harissa Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
• Cuban Style Mojo Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans
• Cumin Lime Roast Pork Tacos with Salsa Verde
• Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Mustard Sauce

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