Smoked Pork Loin Tacos are easy to make, super flavorful, and a lower-fat way to enjoy pork tacos without sacrificing flavor. Use your favorite pellet grill or smoker, and give this easy pork loin recipe a try.

Pellet Grill Pork Loin Tacos

Okay, save the hate mail, pitmasters. I know you probably saw the title of this post and instantly rolled your eyes.

I KNOW. Pork loin isn’t ideal for pulling and isn’t typical for this type of recipe. 

I know that the end result would wind up much moister if we used pork shoulder. We know because we make those too, and enjoy them very much.

But guess what? I have 7 kids and a job and a blog and a couple of hobbies too, so sometimes dinner isn’t “ideal”. 

That doesn’t mean it can’t be great, though. 

This recipe is also great if you are looking for lower-fat alternatives to traditional recipes, for whatever reason.

Pork loin is a relatively lean portion of pork. There is a strap of fat that goes across it and when you want that on top when you slow roast the pork loin. The fat will soak down to moisten the meat as it cooks, so don’t cut that off if you can help it. 

If yours came pre-trimmed, you can still proceed. The sauce is what really keeps this dish amazing, even minus the fat.

The great thing about smoked pork loin is that it is easy to shred once it is cooked, and the shredded meat works wonderfully for a taco filling.

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

There is a big difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin. You can use pork tenderloin for this if you’d like, but I don’t recommend it. Tenderloin is more expensive too.

I do have some great tenderloin recipes if you want to check them out, like my tenderloin with mustard sauce.

Tenderloin refers to the strap of meat right underneath the rib cage. In beef, the tenderloin is what gets cut into medallions referred to as filet mignon. Pork tenderloin is much cheaper than filet mignon, of course, but pork loin is even more affordable.

Pork loin comes from the back of the pig and it is a big muscle that is less tender than the aptly named tenderloin. That is a big reason pork loin, like any of the tougher cuts of meat, do so well with low and slow cooking methods.

More Easy Traeger Recipes here!

What flavor of pellets should you use with pork?

If you use a pellet grill, there are a variety of pellets to use for smoking. Every kind of wood is available, but I think some work particularly good for smoked pork tacos.

Any type of fruitwood works well like applewood or cherry wood. If you like a deeper smoke flavor, then a mix that includes mesquite is a good choice. The great thing about pork is it absorbs the smoke flavors really well, so the choice of wood pellets does make a difference in this case since we’ll be smoking the meat for quite a while.

The classics like alder, hickory, and maple also work well with pork too.

Buy Pellets here!

Seasonings and sides for Traeger pork loin tacos

Pork is delicious but one of its greatest virtues is how well it absorbs seasonings and how nicely it plays with garnishes and sauces.

If you want to keep things more authentically Mexican, then of course you want to have salsa, guacamole, and sour cream handy.

I like the smoky hatch chili Verde in this chilaquiles recipe. Chili Verde is green chili sauce, and this green salsa will grace any pork perfectly.

You could also go with a simple blender salsa. This salsa can be made in less than a minute using your blender and it keeps well enough that you can store it a couple of weeks, no problem.

If you want to season the pork before you put it on the pellet grill, then I recommend using a simple dry rub using cayenne, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and smoked paprika and a bit of brown sugar.

Use a teaspoon of the salt, and a tablespoon of everything else, then about a cup of brown sugar. Rub it into the meat and let it set up for at least a half hour before you toss it on the pellet smoker.

Don’t want to mix your own rub? You can’t go wrong with a Salt, Pepper, Garlic and a Chile Lime Blend, both from Spiceology.

More Cocktail Recipes here!

What to serve with pork loin tacos

If you want to serve other dishes with your smoked pork loin tacos and you want to keep things on the Hispanic-inspired side, then I have a few recipes to recommend.

• Mexican Street Corn – This has to be one of the best ways to eat corn, ever. It is slightly spicy, a little bit sweet, and a touch of sour from the lime. Just amazing!
• Pressure Cooker Mexican Rice – the seasoned rice that you see served at every single Mexican restaurant is super simple and quick to make in a pressure cooker or quick pot.
• Homemade Queso Sauce – Drizzle some of this on your tacos!