Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (2024)

by Scott Groth 4 Comments

A simple baked pork tenderloin recipe with only three ingredients makes preparation a breeze. This tried and true recipe makes juicy pork with a flavorful dijon crust that simply melts in your mouth.

THIS BAKED PORK TENDERLOINRECIPE IS: GLUTEN FREE, PALEO AND LOW CARB.

Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (1)

I've been eating this recipe for about 15 years now. It was the very first thing that my wife cooked for me back when we were still dating. I can still remember that first bite. The tender pork awash in a savory dijon herb crust. It was so delicious. I thought she must have worked all day to make it. Turns out, it's about the easiest pork tenderloin recipe that I've seen. Big props to my wife for making it all look so easy.

Prepping the Pork Tenderloin

For those of you not entirely familiar working with pork tenderloin, here's the scoop: when you buy it from the store, the package is going to come with 2 tenderloins. I'm not sure why, but I haven't seen a single tenderloin sold in any of the grocery stores around here in years. Welcome the second tenderloin with open arms. Its visit will be short as it disappears from your cutting board during dinner.

Pork tenderloin is a very lean cut of meat. You can clean it with a sharp paring knife fairly easily. The one spot to be sure to remove is the tough silver skin. It might look white when you first look at it, but if you get into it, there is a silver sheen to it. Just stick the paring knife under that section and remove it. It will be tough and chewy if you leave it on there. Not sure about you, but those two adjectives shouldn't be used when talking about the "tender"loin, if you know what I mean.

At our house, we cook the tenderloin on parchment paper. As the pork cooks, it releases moisture which the parchment absorbs. All this means is that there is no sticking when you remove it from the oven. If you choose to use aluminum foil to line your pan, give it a quick spray with some of that non-stick stuff or olive oil. Not too much, just a bit.

QUICK COOKING TIP:Beware the overcooked pork tenderloin! Here's the scoop... Pork is lean so it will dry out pretty quickly. The dijon does a great job of preventing dryness in this recipe, but heat will eventually win out. Be sure that you have your instant read thermometer ready to go. At about 20 minutes, make sure you take a quick reading of the temperature of BOTH tenderloins. One will undoubtedly be larger than the other, so they will be cooking at different rates. At 150 degrees, remove the cooked tenderloin from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. The temperature will rise another 5 degrees while it sits, which will be "just a bit pink" on the inside. Perfection.

Let's get to cooking on this baked pork tenderloin recipe.

Yield: 6 people

BAKED PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE

Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (5)

From oven to table, this baked tenderloin recipe will quickly become a family favorite. Juicy, flavorful and easy to make.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time25 minutes

Total Time35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2.5 LBS Pork Tenderloin
  • ½ Cup Dijon Mustard
  • 1.5 tablespoon Herbs de Provence

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
  2. Prepare the tenderloins by removing the silver skin and slicing 3-4 times lengthwise on the tenderloin. Smother with the dijon and sprinkle the Herbs de Provence on top.
  3. Add the tenderloin to the oven and cook for approximately 25-30 minutes. Be sure to temp the meat at 20 minutes. When the tenderloin is at 150 degrees, remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  4. Slice against the grain and serve hot!

Notes

Cooking the meat to 150 degrees and allowing to rest on the counter should give you a nice, pink interior. Different ovens cook at different rates, so maybe check at 18 minutes if your oven tends to cook hot.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6
Amount Per ServingCalories 241

Did you make this recipe?

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Final thoughts on the baked pork tenderloin recipe:

We made this at my catering company many times. We made it for a couple reasons: first, it's fast. Fast to prepare and fast to cook. Second, it is a recipe that holds well and really has a broad appeal. Even for people who can't stand dijon, you'll find that the mustardloses most of its punch in the oven. The mixture of flavors from the Herbs de Provence just melds perfectly with the mustard and the pork.

This is the perfect dish to go with some asparagus with shallots (recipe coming soon!), definitely awesome with somebutter braised carrots with thymeor even my caramelizedSauteed Brussel Sprouts. If you're looking for something really special and really easy (why not add more easy!) then take a look at thesecreamed leeks. They are just so good. If all else fails, a simple salad with dijon vinaigrette would pair perfectly.

A big thank you goes out to my wife (not only for this recipe, but for so many things) for making this for me so long ago and pretty much whenever I want since then. It's one of my favorites. Awesome recipe.

If you made or are planning on making the baked pork tenderloin recipe, let me know! Any questions or thoughts, please leave acomment. Thanks!

Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (6)

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About Scott Groth

Scott Groth has gone from a burned out, overweight executive to a professional food blogger, chef, low carb + keto enthusiast. His style is fun, fresh, and family-friendly. Learn more about Scott in his bio, discover the story behind this blog, and learn about his incredible low-carb journey.

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  1. […] If you’re looking for some delicious recipes to round out your meal, check out myBaked Pork Tenderloin Recipeor myPerfect Roast Chicken Recipe. One of my favorites with this is just a couple grilled pork […]

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Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What temperature should pork tenderloin be cooked at in the oven? ›

Brush the pork tenderloin with additional marinade, then bake in a preheated oven at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, until the pork reaches a temperature of 145°F, then remove it from the oven. Cooking the pork tenderloin at the high temperature of 425 degrees F helps it cook quickly and prevents it from drying out.

Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? ›

Doing this will help the pork loin from becoming dry and tough. First, wait until your oven is preheated. Once your oven is at 400° F place the loin inside and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes take the loin out and lower the oven temperature to 350 ° F and cook the loin for another 20 minutes per pound of meat.

How do you cook a pork tenderloin without drying out? ›

Grilling
  1. First, use a high-heat area to quickly brown the meat on all sides. ...
  2. Next, move the loin to a low-heat area of the grill and cover it with foil.
  3. Now, you can roast the pork using indirect cooking for approximately one to one and a half hours, or about 20 minutes per pound of meat.
Oct 3, 2023

How long to cook a 1 lb pork tenderloin at 350 degrees? ›

A good rule of thumb is to cook pork loin 25 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), so use a thermometer to know when it's done. You'll want to let your pork loin rest at least three minutes before serving.

What is the best temperature for tenderloin? ›

Knowing how long to cook and the right beef tenderloin temperature is key to any tenderloin recipe. Timings are based on meat removed directly from the refrigerator. For roasts that are 2 to 3 pounds, roast at 425°F for 35 to 40 minutes for medium rare (135°F) and 45 to 50 minutes for medium (150°F) doneness.

Is it better to cook pork tenderloin fast or slow? ›

The size and structure of a tenderloin make it perfect for cooking quickly on high heat. You want to be able to brown the outside while still keeping it a little pink on the inside.

Should I cover pork in oven? ›

Tenting can be suitable for some cuts of meat, but if you want a crunchy crust on your roast, then it's best to leave it uncovered. If you notice that the roasted pork is browning too much, you can lightly cover it with aluminum foil. However, do not cover it for the last 5-10 minutes in the oven.

How long to cook pork tenderloin per pound at 400? ›

Here are the general cooking times for pork tenderloin at 400°F:
  1. 1-pound pork tenderloin: 20-25 minutes.
  2. 1.5-pound pork tenderloin: 25-30 minutes.
  3. 2-pound pork tenderloin: 30-35 minutes.
Oct 22, 2021

Does pork loin get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

At 400 degrees F, a 1-pound pork tenderloin will cook in 8 to 10 minutes after being seared on the stove. Unlike tough, fatty cuts of meat (like the shoulder used for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork), leaner cuts like pork tenderloin and pork loin do not become more tender the longer they cook.

How do I make sure my pork tenderloin is tender? ›

If you're not confident in your cooking skills, there is one foolproof way to guarantee your pork ends up on the tender side, even if you cook it too long: Soak it in a brine or a marinade. According to Hazel, these kinds of preparations always produce the most tender outcomes.

Is it better to cook pork tenderloin covered or uncovered? ›

Place it in the hot oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer registers 145°F (medium), 20-30 minutes. If roasting for longer than 20 minutes, cover the pork loosely with foil to prevent the top from burning. Remove the tenderloin from the oven.

Can pork tenderloin be a little pink when done? ›

If fresh pork has reached 145°F (62.8 °C) throughout, even though it may still be pink in the center, it should be safe. The pink color can be due to the cooking method or added ingredients.

How long does it take to cook pork tenderloin at 350? ›

From oven oven-roasting to grilling, here's a quick guide to cooking times: How long to cook pork tenderloin in oven at 350°F: Placed in a baking dish and cooked uncovered, a pork tenderloin will take around 20-27 minutes at 350°F.

Should I wrap my pork tenderloin in foil? ›

Foil-wrapped pork tenderloin is a great way to prepare this cut of meat to lock in flavor and moisture. Pork loin may not be as apt to dry out, but covering your pan with foil while roasting helps the meat retain its juiciness.

What temperature and how long do you cook a Smithfield pork tenderloin? ›

Oven: Heat oven to 425°F. Place pork on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast 25 to 30 minutes per pound. Grill: Heat charcoal or gas grill to medium.

Should pork tenderloin be at 350 or 375? ›

You can use a simple mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other herbs for flavor. Roasting time: The cooking time depends on the weight of the pork tenderloin. A general guideline is to roast it for about 20 minutes per pound (450 grams) in a 375°F (190°C) oven.

Can pork tenderloin be cooked at 400? ›

At 400 degrees, the meat cooks most evenly and quickly enough to keep it nice and juicy and moist on the inside. If you're not sure if the pork tenderloin is baked through, use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. It should read 145 degrees fahrenheit.

Can you eat pork tenderloin at 150 degrees? ›

The USDA now recommends cooking pork chops, steaks, ham, and roasts to at least 145°F (63°C), which allows the meat to maintain its moisture and flavor without drying it out (7). Organ meats, ground pork, and mixtures made using ground pork, such as sausage, should still be cooked to at least 160°F (71°C) (7).

Can you cook pork tenderloin at 350 degrees? ›

From oven oven-roasting to grilling, here's a quick guide to cooking times: How long to cook pork tenderloin in oven at 350°F: Placed in a baking dish and cooked uncovered, a pork tenderloin will take around 20-27 minutes at 350°F.

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