How to Cook Pork Tenderloin
Tips and tricks on How to Cook Pork Tenderloin for the most flavorful and delicious dishes, plus some of the very best pork tenderloin recipes.
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-cook pork dish, look no further than pork tenderloin. This versatile meat can be grilled, roasted, or cooked in the Instant Pot, and it pairs well with a variety of sauces and seasonings. In this post, we’ll show you how to cook pork tenderloin three different ways so that it’s juicy and perfectly cooked every time.
Like beef and chicken, different cuts of pork need to be handled and cooked differently for the best results. And while I love a variety of pork dishes, this post is all about my favorite – succulent pork tenderloin.
I am a big fan of quick-cooking pork tenderloin because I know I can throw it into the oven with some veggies with minimal effort. It’s an easy tried-and-true method for delicious and quick family dinners.
Got leftover pork? No problem, use it to make this simple leftover pork casserole!
Pork Tenderloin Recipes
I’m excited to share with you some of my favorite pork tenderloin recipes. Typically pork tenderloin is cooked hot and fast. It’s a lean cut that is already tender.
In my opinion, these are some of the best ways to cook pork tenderloin – and readers seem to agree since they are the three most popular pork recipes here on Juggling Act Mama.
Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Best Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe
With fresh garlic (or you could use garlic powder), and some Cowboy Butter, this recipe turns out the juiciest tenderloin. And the best part is that it is such an easy pork tenderloin recipe!
Year after year this dish makes my top ten list – it is absolutely the very best baked pork tenderloin recipe.
Tip – when roasting, always start with a hot oven.
Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin
With a brown sugar balsamic glaze, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans, this one-pan dinner is an easy weeknight meal.
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes
Savory gravy with tender pork and potatoes is an all-in-one meal perfect for any busy weeknight. You could also swap out the potatoes for sweet potatoes if you like.
I think this might just be the best pork tenderloin recipe to make in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker!
Best Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Seasoned with lemon juice, fresh herbs, kosher salt and black pepper, this simple recipe is a great main dish for company. It also makes fantastic pork sandwiches the next day!
Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
The sweet and savory sauce perfectly complements the pork, making it a favorite in my house!
It’s a great 30-minute meal that’s easy enough for weeknight meals.
Tip – Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork tenderloin. Place it into the thickest part of the meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions (and answers!) our readers often ask about how to cook pork tenderloin.
The names are similar, so people sometimes mistake the two for the same cut of meat, but they’re not the same. Both are lean meats. However, they differ in size, thickness, and cooking time. Pork tenderloin comes from along the backbone and is smaller, thinner, and cooks up faster. Pork loin, which comes from the back of the pig, is wider and flatter than tenderloin. Tenderloin is boneless while loin may be bone-in or boneless. They should not be used interchangeably in recipes due to the differences in cooking times.
Yes, you should remove silver skin because it’s tough and chewy and doesn’t melt during the cooking process like fat does. To remove it, use a sharp knife and wiggle it under the silver skin, moving from one end of the meat to the other.
Pork tenderloin should be cooked up quickly at a higher temperature. Unlike some cuts of meat that are better when cooked slowly, slow cooking can dry it out. A meat thermometer comes in very handy when cooking pork.
Pork tenderloin is a more tender cut of meat than loin and is always boneless. For that reason, it is more expensive than pork loin.
Pork tenderloin is slightly healthier than pork loin. It is the leanest cut of pork and clocks in at around 3g of fat and 120 calories per 3-ounce serving.
If you are using a marinade, allow for at least 1 hour, and as much as 24 hours. The longer the pork rests in the marinade, the more flavorful it will be.
Plan to roast pork or grill pork for 20-30 minutes per pound. However, never go by time alone. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Fresh pork should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 145-degrees F according to FoodSafety.gov.
It is important to cook pork by the temperature and not by time as all appliances cook differently.
Personally, I love this bluetooth instant-read thermometer. It’s a cinch to use and we never grill or roast without it!
Roasting is the best and easiest way to cook pork tenderloin because you can better control the temperature and cooking time. You can sear the outside before placing it in the oven or just place it in the oven as is. This method keeps the pork tenderloin juicy and tender.
Searing creates a browned crust on the outside of the meat. While this adds a nice flavor to the lean pork tenderloin, you’ll still get delicious results without it.
How to Sear Pork Tenderloin
1. Start with a cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add a little bit of olive oil to the pan.
3. Place the pork into the hot skillet.
4. After 2-3 minutes, turn and sear the other side.
The USDA has revised cooking temperature recommendations for pork. Previously, the recommendation was 160-degrees F and no pink. However, they now say that as long as you have cooked your meat to an internal temperature of 145-degrees F, a little pink in the pork is fine.
Uncooked pork will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator and 4-12 months in the freezer.
Cooked pork should be eaten within 3-4 days, or frozen. Frozen cooked pork will last 2-3 months in the freezer.
See the USDA guidelines for more information.
Store leftover pork tenderloin in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to four days. If you do not plan to eat it within four days, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and put it in the freezer where it will keep for up to three months.
Typically you’ll find pork tenderloin cuts at the grocery store are going to be a little over a pound.
Plan on about 8oz (half-pound) of pork tenderloin per person. However, if you’re serving it along with another protein, you can plan on less.
Herbs and seasonings that pair well with pork include parsley, thyme, sage, garlic, cumin, chili seasoning, Chinese five spice, and many others.
More Pork Tenderloin Recipes
Looking for more mouthwatering pork tenderloin recipes? We’ve rounded up some of our favorites that are tender, juicy, and oh-so-easy to prepare. Your family will love these dishes!
Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Sweet Potatoes from Bowl Me Over – This is another great recipe for busy families on weeknights. You can swap out the brussels sprouts with other veggies like green beans or asparagus.
Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions from Herbs & Flour – Glazed with a sauce made from chicken stock, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and thyme, this tender roast makes a great dinner.
Smoked Pork Tenderloin from Platter Talk – Whether you wrap your pork tenderloin in bacon or prosciutto, the whole family will love the smoky flavor.
Air Fryer Italian Pork Tenderloin from Cook at Home Mom – Make perfectly cooked pork tenderloin in your air fryer! This is flavored with lemon, garlic, and rich Italian seasonings.
Pork Parmesan from Easy Weeknight Recipe – Pork tenderloin cut into medallions is a great way to change up your standard tenderloin. Lightly breaded and fried pork tenderloin medallions, then baked with a tangy tomato sauce and plenty of melting cheese.
Maple Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin from Love from the Oven – With loads of great flavor from pure maple syrup and brown sugar, along with a little garlic powder, this is a recipe even picky eaters will love.
Pork Tenderloin with Honey Garlic Sauce from Recipe Tin Eats – Seared until golden brown and baked until juicy and delicious, this roast pork tenderloin is a family favorite.
You might also enjoy:
- Dijon Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin from Once Upon a Chef
- Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze from An Affair from the Heart
- Hoosier Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich from State of Dinner
Tip – Always allow the pork to rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing. This ensures your pork tenderloin stays juicy.
Rubs and Seasonings for Pork Tenderloin
Best Pork Rub Seasoning is my go-to spice rub for making ribs but it’s great on different cuts of meat for grilling like pork chops, pork loin, and pork tenderloin.
Here are a few more yummy seasoning mixes that taste great with pork recipes:
Another great way to add flavor is by adding a little bit of compound butter on top of the pork while it rests. Here are some of my favorites:
- Cowboy Butter – one of our most popular recipes.
- Garlic Chive Butter – sub out the chives for your favorite herb.
- Cranberry Butter – great for the Fall or holidays!
More Pork Recipes
Did you know that pork can be healthier than chicken? The leanest cuts of pork have fewer calories than lean beef or lean chicken. Of course, it all depends on what you add to it, right?
Slow Cooker Pork Recipes
Pork shoulder, pork butt, and pork loin are all great cuts of meat to use in the slow cooker. Here are some of our popular slow cooker pork recipes:
- Asian Pulled Pork Sliders
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Easy Pork Lettuce Wraps
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apples
Pork Chop Recipes
While bone-in chops are less expensive, I prefer boneless pork chops. Here are a few yummy recipes you’ll enjoy:
- Pineapple Bourbon BBQ Grilled Boneless Pork Chops
- Grilled BBQ Pork Chops with Strawberry Peach Salsa
What to Serve with Pork Tenderloin
The sky’s the limit when it comes to what to serve alongside pork tenderloin. Here are a few of my favorite ways to complete a meal:
- Copycat Red Lobster Mashed Potatoes
- Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
- Cinnamon Butternut Squash
- Garlic Green Beans
- Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
What to Serve with Grilled Pork Tenderloin
In the summertime, I like to keep things simple so I serve side dishes that are quick and easy like salads and slaw, or those that can also be grilled.
- How to Grill Asparagus in Foil
- Best Grilled Potatoes
- Grilled Vegetables
- Loaded Potato Salad
- Rainbow Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- Grilled Corn with Ginger and Soy Sauce
What’s your favorite pork recipe? Leave me a comment, I really love hearing from you!
