Simple and Delicious Roasted Pork Tenderloin

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Pork Tenderloin – How to cook pork tenderloin, roasted to a juicy perfection in the oven. Easy recipe for a delicious dinner with simple seasonings and potatoes.

Growing up in a meat and potatoes household, I have a love relationship with meat and potatoes, even though we don't always eat the second part of that equation. My guys love meat too, so we occasionally gravitate toward pork for dinner.

Pork tenderloin is the best of both worlds because it's super easy to make and not time consuming at all. It's also delicious with a good side of mashed potatoes or green beans or even a colorful salad. Sometimes I even top it off with a fresh batch of mango peach salsa...

Who doesn't love an easy dinner the whole family will eat? And it's healthy to boot.

Oven roasted pork tenderloin usually takes less than half an hour to bake. There's hardly any prep time either.

It's the perfect solution if you're wondering what to make for and everyday dinner or even a big family dinner on Easter.

pork tenderloin with potatoes roasted in a cast iron skillet in the oven

If you love this tenderloin recipe, you may also enjoy our oven roasted pork roast recipe and maple pork chops with apples and onions.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE RECIPE FOR PORK TENDERLOIN?

If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the pork tenderloin recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

FIRST, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PORK LOIN AND PORK TENDERLOIN

Because yep, there is a difference. Don't feel bad if you didn't know, because I didn't realize it either; I thought they were one and the same.

I share this with you because I want to make sure you get the right cut of meat for this recipe.

As it happens, pork loin is speaking about more of a pork roast, while pork tenderloin is more of a boneless filet. Pork tenderloin is that longer, thinner piece of pork that almost looks like a long roll.

The Kitchn actually has a really helpful explanation for the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin.

TIPS FOR HOW TO COOK PORK TENDERLOIN

This pork tenderloin recipe is really simple, and we actually only use a couple of seasonings that you likely already have in your kitchen.

  • Your first step is to dry the pork tenderloin with a paper towel. It'll likely have a little bit of water in the package with it, so just pat it dry.
patting pork tenderloin dry with a paper towel
  • Then rub it down with the olive oil.
rubbing olive oil into pork tenderloin before cooking
  • Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the entire pork tenderloin, and rub it in well.
rubbing salt and pepper into pork tenderloin before roasting
  • Sear the meat in a large skillet (preferably a skillet you can also bake it in), being sure to turn it so that both sides slightly brown.
searing pork tenderloin in cast iron skillet on stovetop

And now you're ready to roast it.

seared pork tenderloin with raw potatoes in cast iron skillet

Note: You'll want to parboil potatoes and veggies just a bit, so they get completely cooked in the short amount of time they'll cook with the meat.

PORK TENDERLOIN COOKING TIME

How long to cook pork tenderloin really depends on a number of factors, including both your oven and the size of your tenderloin.

We cooked ours for about 25 to 30 minutes.

baked pork tenderloin and potatoes in cast iron skillet

You want to make sure that it reaches the recommended internal temperature for pork, which is 145 to 160°F. We prefer not to mess around with pork and always let it come to temp before eating.

pork tenderloin and potatoes, sliced and placed on white plate

MORE PORK RECIPES YOU'LL ENJOY:

We love making these sweet chili baby back ribs in our Instant Pot. Pineapple honey glazed ham is one of our go to ham recipes for special occasions and holidays.

Make a slow cooker apple cider pork loin with this recipe from Mommy Hates Cooking. Mmmm, this recipe for a Maple and Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker, from Sidetracked Sarah, looks so delicious.

roasted pork tenderloin with potatoes in cast iron skillet

KITCHEN TOOLS YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN

Large Cast Iron Skillet – You can sear and bake right in this one skillet, making cleanup easier too.

Tongs

Meat Thermometer

Cute Pot Holders – Ok, so they don't have to be cute, but it certainly doesn't hurt anything.

sliced pork tenderloin with tender roasted potatoes in cast iron skillet

PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE

If you love this baked pork tenderloin as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

Simple and Delicious Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe

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sliced pork tenderloin with potatoes in cast iron skillet

Simple and Delicious Roasted Pork Tenderloin

How to cook pork tenderloin, roasted to a juicy perfection in the oven. Easy recipe for a delicious dinner with simple seasonings and potatoes.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Pork Recipes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 231kcal
Author: Mel Lockcuff

Ingredients

Pork Tenderloin:

Potatoes (Optional):

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
  • If you want to roast potatoes or veggies with your pork tenderloin, now is the time to prep them and get them ready.**
  • Pat the pork tenderloin dry with a paper towel.
  • Rub it down with olive oil.
  • Sprinkle the smoked sea salt and black pepper over the tenderloin, rubbing the seasonings in.
  • Sear the meat in a large skillet (preferably a skillet you can also bake it in), being sure to turn the tenderloin halfway thru searing, so that both sides slightly brown.
  • Place the parboiled potatoes and veggies in the skillet with the tenderloin, sprinkling olive oil, salt, and black pepper over the veggies.
  • Bake everything at 400°F for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until it reaches the recommended internal temperature of 145 to 160°F with a meat thermometer.***
  • Optional step: In the last 5 to 10 minutes of baking, sprinkle parsley over the entire skillet.
  • Once the pork tenderloin is fully cooked, remove it from the oven.
  • Slice the tenderloin and serve with the potatoes and veggies.

Notes

*This recipe is based on the size of about a 2 pound pork tenderloin.
**Wash, chop, and parboil potatoes and veggies, so they're ready to go. 
***How long to cook pork tenderloin really depends on a number of factors, including both your oven and the size of your tenderloin.

Nutrition

Serving: 8servings | Calories: 231kcal | Protein: 23g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 730mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag us Today!Mention @mellockcuff or tag #aomrecipes!
Simple and Delicious Roasted Pork Tenderloin
pork tenderloin recipe

6 thoughts on “Simple and Delicious Roasted Pork Tenderloin”

  1. 5 stars
    My first time making a pork tenderloin. Very easy and came out perfect! I had small red potatoes I parboiled and baked with the pork. Very good!

    Reply

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