Baked Pork Tenderloin (2024)

Home Pork Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin

By Natasha

May 23, 2022, Updated Oct 09, 2023

4.96

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This baked pork tenderloin recipe is perfectly juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender. No searing is required, so it’s fast and has minimal prep! It’s ready in just over 30 minutes.

You may also want to try my Crockpot Pork Tenderloin for a similar recipe but in the slow cooker.

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Why you’ll love it

What sets apart this roasted pork tenderloin from the rest is the fact it’s made in a single baking dish in the oven with no need to pan sear it in a skillet beforehand, which means you’ll never have overcooked or dry tenderloin. This easy method also has way fewer dishes on busy weeknights.

The buttery juices in this pork tenderloin recipe are irresistible over mashed potatoes, and the homemade spice rub is sweet and savory and packed with flavor from everyday pantry ingredients, so a comforting family meal is effortless. And it goes with everything!

Did you know?

  • Searing meat does not actually lock in the juices. That’s a longstanding myth, so we’re not going to do it here. In fact, it can even dry out pork! That sizzling sound, while enticing, actually means juices are being released and cooked off, so there’s really no benefit to searing an extra lean cut of meat like pork tenderloin.

What you’ll need

  • Pork tenderloin – it’s very lean, readily available, and cooks fast. We love it for when we need a break from chicken! (But I still love chicken, don’t worry)
  • Homemade seasoning rub – brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper
  • Butter – I used unsalted since our rub has salt. It helps make the meat even juicier.
  • Chopped parsley – totally optional, but it brings a pop of freshness and contrast
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Is pork tenderloin the same as pork loin?

  • Nope! Pork tenderloin is smaller, extra lean (meaning it has little fat), and cooks faster than pork loin. Despite a similar sounding name, you cannot substitute one for the other since they’re different cuts of meat and are not interchangeable.

How to make baked pork tenderloin

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

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Preheat the oven to 400F. Prep and dry the tenderloins with paper towel. Add the homemade seasoning rub ingredients to a small bowl and mix. Coat the pork with the spice rub uniformly.

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Add the seasoned meat to a 9×13 baking dish, and top with the butter. Bake, let it rest to redistribute the juices, and then slice into medallions. Pour the pan juices over, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Pro tips

  • Pork tenderloin is very lean! It will dry out if it’s overcooked. Farming practices have changed, and pork is now safe to eat without overcooking it. A little pink is totally fine, and it’ll mean the pork is nice and juicy.
  • Pork tenderloins are often sold in packs of two, so that’s why this recipe is written for two (one pound) tenderloins. You don’t need to be spot-on with one pound each.
  • Take the guesswork of timing out with an instant read thermometer with a probe. It’ll beep when it reaches the perfect 145F. This is also great to use if you’re working with larger pork tenderloins that fall outside the time guidelines of this recipe.
  • Resting it after it’s cooked and before slicing is not a step you want to skip! This is when the juices do get locked in.

Substitutions and variations

  • You can definitely change up the rub. It’s not spicy or anything like that as written, so if you want it to be spicy, add in some cayenne pepper. Feel free to customize it to your liking or even use your favorite jarred variety.
  • The butter can be replaced with a generous drizzle of olive oil if needed.
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What to serve with baked pork tenderloin

  • This goes with many side dishes since it’s so versatile. Our kitchen always recommends my Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, though!
  • Pasta is another choice since creamy sauce will definitely complement it. Try some fettuccine or whatever pasta you have on hand with this Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce or Stovetop Mac and Cheese.
  • For vegetable sides, Easy Roasted Green Beans or Easy Glazed Carrots are definitely winners.

Leftovers and storage

  • Any leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container really well.
  • Reheat in a small saucepan over a low heat until warmed through. You can also microwave them slowly over a low heat in shorter increments, but be careful since it could dry out when reheating. Definitely use a little additional butter if it needs it.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months in individual portions.

More easy pork recipes

  • Creamy Bacon Pork Chops
  • Easy Smothered Pork Chops and Gravy
  • Creamy Pork Tenderloin Medallions
  • Perfect Instant Pot Pulled Pork
  • Easy Grilled Pork Chops
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Do you agree this is the best pork tenderloin cooking technique you’ve tried? Have any questions? Let me know what you think below! You can also find me on Instagram.

Baked Pork Tenderloin (8)

4.96 from 277 votes

Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin

By Natasha Bull

This baked pork tenderloin recipe is perfectly juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender. No searing is required, so it's fast and has minimal prep! It's ready in just over 30 minutes.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Ingredients

  • 2 pork tenderloins about 1 pound each
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 1/4 cup butter cut into pats
  • Chopped parsley optional, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400F and move the rack to the middle position.

  • Prep the tenderloins by cutting off any excess fat and the silver skin (the tough part that may cover some of each tenderloin). Pat the tenderloins dry with paper towel.

  • Add the spice rub ingredients (brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper) to a small bowl and stir together. Coat the tenderloins all over with the spice rub.

  • Add the pork tenderloins to a 9×13 (or similar size) baking dish and place the butter pats on top.

  • Bake, uncovered, for about 25 minutes or until the pork has reached 145F. Let it rest 5-10 minutes before slicing it into medallions so it remains juicy.

  • Pour the pan juices over the pork (they're also great over a side dish like mashed potatoes) and sprinkle with chopped parley if desired.

Notes

  • Serves 6-8 depending on portion size. Halve all ingredients if you want to make one (one pound) pork tenderloin.
  • This recipe is NOT for pork loin, which is a different, tougher cut of meat and will need to be cooked for longer.
  • Pork that’s 145F in the thickest part is safe to eat. Farming practices have changed over the years, and it’s no longer recommended to overcook pork. This recipe, by the time it’s finished resting, yields pork that is slightly more cooked than the 145F but may still have some pink in the middle (this is totally safe!). Use an instant read meat thermometer so you never over or undercook meat again.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 119mg, Sodium: 534mg, Potassium: 631mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 509IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.

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497 Comments

  1. Baked Pork Tenderloin (11)
    I was looking for a recipe for a pork tenderloin and I had all the ingredients and made this for dinner. It was delicious and my family enjoyed it. Thank you, Natasha, for sharing the recipe.

    Reply

    1. You’re very welcome, Linda! 😀 Thanks for your review!

      Reply

  2. Baked Pork Tenderloin (12)
    Very good

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Kris!!

      Reply

  3. This. Was. Delicious. Followed directions and proportions as per the recipe. The better half thought I was brilliant! Lol

    Reply

    1. That’s awesome!! Thank you!!

      Reply

Baked Pork Tenderloin (2024)

FAQs

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

Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? Cooking a pork loin at 400°F will give a nice crust and cook it faster, reducing the risk of drying out.

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

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.

How long do you bake pork tenderloin at 400 degrees? ›

Bring up the sides of the foil to completely enclose each tenderloin (see photos in post). Bake at 400 degrees F until pork registers between 145- and 150-degrees F (63 and 65 degrees C) at the thickest part of the tenderloin, 15-25 minutes depending on thickness.

What temperature is best for cooking pork tenderloin? ›

Pre-heat oven to 325F (165C). Bake pork tenderloin in the oven UNCOVERED for approximately 20-25 MINUTES *PER POUND* (44-55 MINUTES PER KILOGRAM) Or until internal temperature reaches 155F (68C), rested to a final 160F (71C).

What is the best method of cooking pork tenderloin? ›

Sear pork, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 6–8 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven (if you don't have an oven-safe skillet, transfer pork to a baking dish) and roast, flipping pork halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 140°, 14–18 minutes.

How do I cook a pork loin so it doesn't dry 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

Should pork tenderloin be covered when cooking? ›

Do you cook a pork tenderloin covered or uncovered? A baked pork tenderloin recipe needs to be covered if you want to keep it from drying out. This will ensure you get juicy and delicious meat when you're ready to serve dinner!

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 wrap my pork loin in foil? ›

Wrap the foil tightly around the pork loin, ensuring that there are no openings for the steam to escape. This will help to lock in the moisture and keep the pork loin tender and juicy.

Can you bake pork at 400? ›

Baking pork chops at 400 degrees F will result in a slightly crisper, more caramelized exterior. It's the ideal temperature for breaded pork chops, because the hotter temperature will crisp up the crumbs, as well as complete sheet pan meals, since 400 degrees F is the best temperature for roasting most vegetables.

Can pork tenderloin be pink? ›

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 to cook pork tenderloin without meat thermometer? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). ...
  2. Heat oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat until barely. ...
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until pork is slightly pink in the center, 15 to 19 minutes. ...
  4. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

How long to cook pork tenderloin in oven at 350 without? ›

Put it uncovered into an oven that has been preheated to 350°F. Bake for 20-27 minutes, until the internal temperature on an instant read thermometer is at 145°F, or 25-35 minutes if you like your pork to 160F. Start checking the temperature at the lower number of minutes, and then check it every 3 minutes after that.

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.

What is the difference between a pork tenderloin and a pork loin? ›

Pork tenderloins benefit from quick cooking methods. Grill or broil it whole, or cut into slices of medallions. No matter the cut, pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Pork tenderloin is considerably smaller and leaner than pork loin, which means it cooks more quickly.

What temp is pork the most tender? ›

These new pork temperature guidelines will help elevate the understanding of properly cooking pork. And you can bet that this “other white meat” cooked to the USDA-recommended temperature of 145°F (63°C) will be juicy, tender, (possibly) pink, and safe for your family.

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

Quite the opposite, actually! Pork tenderloin should be cooked quickly and then left to rest to ensure it stays tender. If you cook it too long, it will become tough and chewy.

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