This post is sponsored by my friends at Iowa Pork, but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are all my own – just as always. Thanks for supporting the brands and businesses that support me. 
A few weeks back, we went to this great restaurant at the beach that had a similar dish on the menu. Now, when I’m at the beach, I usually opt for something seafood related, but this pork dish really got my attention. It was a white BBQ sauce grilled pork tenderloin that was served over collard greens, mac and cheese, and was topped with onion rings. It was completely over the top! SO delicious. And while the combinations of flavors was excellent, I just really loved how tender, juicy, and flavorful the tenderloin was. So I knew I had to make it myself.
Now I’m no stranger to white BBQ sauce. I’ve had a great recipe for it on the blog for years. So I knew exactly where to start.
White BBQ sauce was created in the 1920s by a man named Bob Gibson. He created the sauce as a way to keep the chickens he smoked moist. He’d pull them off the pit and dip them in the sauce. He later opened a restaurant called Big Bob Gipson’s and the sauce has been on the menu since day one.
It’s a super tangy, peppery sauce that adds tons of flavor. In this recipe, use use it as marinade and as a sauce for the meat once it’s cooked.
Now while mayo might seem like a strange ingredient when it comes to grilling and smoking, it’s actually pretty brilliant. As marinade, it helps to add flavor and keeps them meat intensely moist as it cooks. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever had pork tenderloin be as moist as it is using this method.
Then we drizzle a little more of the sauce over the finished pork and it adds even more flavor.
Another trick to perfectly juicy pork is being sure not to overcook it. Cooking it right to the sweet spot at 145°F is key. I also like to let it rest for a bit to allow the juices to redistribute before slicing it.
This marinade is also perfect on just about any other cut of pork as well. Pork chops and ribs also do remarkably well with this method, if you can’t get your hands on pork tenderloins.
Just keep in mind this recipe calls for pork tenderloins, not pork loin or pork loin filet. Those are a bit different. Again, it will all work with this marinade, but the cook time will be different.
Many grocery stores sell individually wrapped pork tenderloins in vacuum-sealed bags, but they’re almost always flavored in some way – pepper, BBQ, herb, etc. You’ll want to find the unflavored/unmarinated pork tenderloins for this recipe. They’re usually in a similar vacuum-sealed bag, but most often are packaged two per package.
And whether you buy your pork from a grocery store or a local butcher, you’re supporting family farms here in the US. About one third of the pork consumed in the US comes from Iowa farm families.
You can find other great pork recipes here on Southern Bite like my Slow Cooker Pork Tips or Brown Sugar Garlic Roasted Pork Loin Filet. Y’all enjoy!!
Recipe Card
White BBQ Sauce Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 (1 to 1.5-pound) pork tenderloins (see note)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Creole mustard (spicy brown mustard will work as well)
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or more to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Make the white BBQ sauce by combining the mayonnaise, mustard, horseradish, garlic, vinegar,black pepper, salt, and paprika in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Use paper towels to dry the tenderloins off and trim away excess fat and silverskin if present. Place the tenderloins in a gallon ziptop bag and add about half of the white BBQ sauce. Seal and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Cover remaining sauce and refrigerate.
- When ready to cook, allow the pork to warm to room temperature so it will cook evenly. Preheat the grill over medium high heat. Place the tenerloins on the grill and cook for 20 to 25 minutes (turning occasionally) or until an instant read thermometer placed in the center of the pork loins reads 145°F.
- Remove from the grill and tent with foil. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes. Slice and serve with remaining white BBQ sauce.
Notes
I’m sure you’ve already been notified that it’s Big Bob GIBSON, not Gipson
Oh yes! It must have been autocorrect. I got it fixed. Thanks!
I baked the tenderloin in the oven so I added some chili powder, coriander, cumin, and brown sugar to give some smokiness the grill would have given. I threw in some mushrooms and marinated everything overnight. It was a hit!
Glad you loved it!
Stacey ,
Can I make this and place the pork in the oven instead of grilling ?
Thank you ,
Jimmy
I don’t see why not! Enjoy!
This dish at the beach also has a pepper relish that was divine. Any tips on how they did the collards?
Yeah, now that you mention it, I think it does have a pepper jelly on it. When it comes to the collards, I can’t say for sure. They had all the flavor of slow cooked collards, but had a bit more texture to them.
I have never had the White BBQ Sauce but am anxious to try it. I always buy the pork tenderloins when on sale, bogo for buy 1 get 1 free. They are usually the marinated ones with garlic and pepper. Since I have several in the freezer I am going to try one and put this sauce with it too. Will just have to see how it turns out.
Sounds great! Let me know!
Made this tonight. We all ate it too fast and didn’t get a picture!! Love this and will have it again. Thanks for all your great recipes!
Awesome! I’m so glad y’all enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know!
This was awesome – especially the white sauce. I could use the sauce for many things. Also, don’t know if you noticed this, but this sauce recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of horseradish, which was perfect, but your separate older recipe for just the sauce calls for just 1 teaspoon of horseradish.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Kathy! Yes, I did add a little more horseradish in this version since I suggest you use this one with pork and I think the horseradish pairs well with pork.
Stacey, I love the white sauce too. The man’s name is Bob Gibson and the restaurant is Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL.
Yep! We have him to credit for this deliciousness!
Can I use this marinade with a turkey tenderloin?
I haven’t tried that, but I don’t see why not.