Name: Savory Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin ((2 roasts)); 1 tsp kosher salt; 2 tsp smoke paprika; 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper; 2 tsp parsley; 2 tsp oregano; 1 tsp cumin; 2 tsp olive oil

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This Savory Roasted Pork Tenderloin is an excellent choice for a quick meal that everyone will love. Rubbed with a mouthwatering blend of spices and herbs, then seared and roasted, every slice is juicy, tender, and delicious.

This post was originally published October 28, 2019.

Sliced cooked pork tenderloin on wood cutting board

What’s the difference between pork loin and tenderloin?

Pork tenderloin and pork loin – how are they different? Well, pork tenderloin is just a smaller cut taken from the pork loin. It’s also leaner than the loin and very tender. One of my favorite things about pork tenderloin is that it’s quick and easy to prepare.

In fact, if you want a roast that’s cooked and ready to eat in as little as 30 minutes, pork tenderloin is your choice. Since it’s a small cut of meat, weighing around 3/4 lb. to 1 1/2 lb., it’s the perfect size for a small family or dinner party. And the mild flavor lends itself to a wonderful array of dry rub seasonings. . . BBQ. . . Italian . . . spicy. . . garlic. . . savory. Whatever flavor you choose, learn how to cook pork tenderloin in the recipe below, and how it fits into a healthy diet.

Is pork tenderloin healthy?

While pork ,in general, provides a wide array of vitamins and minerals, along with high quality protein, pork tenderloin happens to be the leanest cut of pork that you can buy. And that’s a good thing for heart health conscious consumers. It means less saturated fat along with less total fat than other cuts of pork.

Additionally, the American Heart Association considers pork tenderloin an extra-lean, heart healthy protein. In fact, a 3 oz. cooked portion provides 122 calories, 22 grams protein, 3.0 grams total fat, and 1.0 gram saturated fat. It’s also a great source of the B vitamins thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, and riboflavin.

How to cook pork tenderloin?

This cut of meat lends itself to a variety of cooking methods, such as grilled, slow cooked, or roasted. There’s really no best way to cook pork tenderloin. All of these methods can deliver a delicious, tender roast that your family will love. All that said, my favorite recipe for a tasty and savory pork tenderloin uses the roasting method. And it’s super easy. Here are the steps:

Trim any excess fat. Pork tenderloin is very lean, but if you do see excess fat, simply trim it away with a sharp knife.
Prepare your dry rub and pat it evenly over the whole roast. Do feel tied to any one seasoning mix. Use your favorite. My recipe is more of a savory flavor. But my Southwest Seasoning mix would also make a wonderful, pork tenderloin with a southwest flare.

Brown the tenderloin in a stove-top skillet over medium-high heat. This sears the outside and helps seal in juices.
Transfer the browned roast to a 9 in. x 13 in. pan and place in a preheated oven to finish cooking. Or use a cast iron skillet, my favorite tool for this recipe, and simply move the pan (with the browned tenderloin inside it) from the stove-top to the oven.
Cook until the roast reaches an internal temperature of at least 145º F. Remove, cover, and let rest for 3 more minutes. Then slice and serve.

cooked pork tenderloin, sliced on a wood cutting board with knife and fork

Helpful cooking tips

When grocery shopping, look for ‘pork tenderloin’ and not ‘pork loin’. Again, that’s an entirely different cut of pork.
Double up and make two roasts at once. This usually ensures I have a few leftovers to use in lunches, to top salads, or add to other dishes. It’s a great way to do some extra meal prep for the week – anything to make weeknight meals or lunches a little easier, right?
Don’t skip the rest time. This helps the roast stay tender and juicy when served,

Sliced pork tenderloin and parsley on wood cutting board

What to serve with pork tenderloin?

Side dishes for pork tenderloin are abundant. Some of my favorites are applesauce, coleslaw, corn, any type of salad, roasted potato wedges, or squash. Check out these other favorites:

Ready for the full recipe and a delicious dinner? Here it is…