Pork Tenderloin

Name: Roast Pork Tenderloin
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 24 ounces pork tenderloin; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 3 tablespoons salted butter, (cut into 1 tablespoon squares); ¼ cup fresh parsley, (finely chopped)

Pork tenderloin is full of flavor, easy to cook, and will quickly become a family favorite.

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Table of Contents

Pork Tenderloin Recipe Ingredients
Roast Pork Tenderloin Substitutions and Additions
How to cook Pork Tenderloin in Oven
What to serve with Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
How to store Roasted Pork Tenderloin
The Roast Pork Tenderloin Recipe you’ll love
Pork Tenderloin Recipe FAQs
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Pork tenderloin is one of the juiciest pork dishes out there that’s full of great flavor, easy to cook, and will quickly become a family favorite. Once you master the basics of the recipe, there are loads of different ways to adapt it, including with a honey glaze or a balsamic one.

pieces of Pork Tenderloin served with broccoli on a plate

Pork Tenderloin Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need:

24-ounce pork tenderloin, about 1½ pounds
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 tablespoons salted butter, cut into 1 tablespoon squares
1⁄4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Roast Pork Tenderloin Substitutions and Additions

PORK: This recipe definitely works best with tenderloin, but you can use pork loin instead. You may need to extend the cook time, so just use your meat thermometer and the temperature guide below to help. The key to this easy pork tenderloin is to get the right cut of meat and to make sure you prepare it just as the recipe shows.

SEASONING: You could also swap the ingredients in the spice rub to change the flavor of the dish. Something like a honey mustard glaze could work well with a little soy sauce and garlic. Or you could add some lemon juice or lime juice to the existing herb rub.

How to cook Pork Tenderloin in Oven

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set it aside.

STEP TWO: Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture on all sides and the end and then rub the spice into the pork with your fingers to ensure it is evenly spread.

STEP THREE: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once it is hot and shimmering, add the pork tenderloin and sear until browned on all sides. Once browned, remove from the skillet and place pork on the baking sheet.

STEP FOUR: Place three squares of butter evenly on the top of the pork and wrap it in the foil tightly around the sides, top, and edges.

STEP FIVE: Place in the oven and leave to roast for 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature is between 145 to 160°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into the center of the meat.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your pork as the suggested baking time approaches.

Use the following temperature guide to cook your pork:

Medium-rare between 145 to 150°F
Medium between 150 to 155°F
Medium-well 155 to 160°F
Well done at or above 160°F

pieces of Pork Tenderloin on a cutting board

STEP SIX: When the pork is at the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and sprinkle with parsley, then tent with aluminum.

STEP SEVEN: Let pork rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain to serve.

parsley sprinkled on top of the pork on the foil

What to serve with Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Elegant enough to serve at a dinner party and easy enough to whip up on a weeknight, this tender pork pairs perfectly with side dishes such as mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes and glazed carrots.

If you are looking for other pork recipes for more inspiration, try our crockpot ranch pork chops and parmesan pork chops.

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Pork Dinner Ideas

Smothered Pork Chops

How to store Roasted Pork Tenderloin

IN THE FRIDGE: If you do manage to have any leftover pork tenderloin, keep it in the fridge until you are ready to reheat it. Use an airtight container and finish it within 3 days. The best way to reheat pork tenderloin is to reheat it in the oven. Put the oven to 350°F, wrap the leftovers in foil and bake until hot to the touch.

IN THE FREEZER: This pork tenderloin will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.

How to reheat Pork Tenderloin in Oven

You can reheat pork tenderloin in the oven at 325°F in an oven-safe dish. Reheat for 20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145-160°F.

overhead shot of Pork Tenderloin sliced into pieces on a plate

The Roast Pork Tenderloin Recipe you’ll love

This perfect pork tenderloin is a classic and once you have mastered getting the meat to the right level of done-ness, it is one you will make often. Plus, there are loads of ways to change up the ingredients and enjoy new flavors to your favorite pork dish.

Pork Tenderloin Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze this pork tenderloin?

This great recipe will keep in the freezer for up to a month.

How do you keep pork loin from drying out?

The key to keeping your pork moist is adding more moisture while it cooks. For this recipe, the butter on top will melt while it cooks to help keep your pork nice and tender. Wrapping the foil around will also keep any juices locked in the pork.

Can I use the same time and temperature even if I change the spice rub or glaze?

The same cooking time and temperature will still work fine even if you change the glaze or spice rub. Just make sure your pork reaches the proper internal temperature.

Pork tenderloin temp:

Your pork tenderloin is cooked when it has an internal temperature of 145-160°F.

Pork loin vs tenderloin

Pork loin and pork tenderloin are different cuts of meat. A pork tenderloin is a long, narrow, boneless cut of meat that comes from the muscle that runs along the backbone. A pork loin is wider and flatter and can be a boneless or bone-in cut of meat.

How long to cook pork tenderloin in the oven?

Cook the pork tenderloin in the oven for 20-30 minutes.

Should I sear pork tenderloin before roasting?

Searing pork tenderloin before roasting will help lock in the juices, giving you tender and moist meat.

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Roast Pork Tenderloin

5 from 5 votes

Pork tenderloin is full of flavor, easy to cook, and will quickly become a family favorite.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings

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Ingredients

24 ounces pork tenderloin
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 tablespoons salted butter, cut into 1 tablespoon squares
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set it aside.
In a medium bowl, combine garlic powder, salt, pepper, dried parsley, and onion powder. Whisk to combine.
Pat pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Sprinkle seasoning mixture on all sides, and on the ends of the pork. Rub into the pork with your fingers to evenly distribute seasonings.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once olive oil is hot and shimmering, add the pork tenderloin and sear the pork until browned on all sides. Once browned on all sides and ends, remove from the skillet and place on the aluminum foil.
Place 3 squares of butter evenly spaced on top of the pork tenderloin and wrap aluminum foil tightly around the sides, top, and edges.
Place in the oven and let roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches between 145 to 160°F in the middle of the tenderloin when tested with a meat thermometer.
When the pork tenderloin reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top, and tent with aluminum foil.
Allow meat to rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain to serve.

Notes

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your pork as the suggested baking time approaches.
Use the following temperature guide to cook your pork:

- Medium-rare between 145 to 150°F
- Medium between 150 to 155°F
- Medium-well 155 to 160°F
- Well done at or above 160°F

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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