This pork tenderloin recipe has been our family's go-to dinner for years now. Max used to complain every time I said we were having pork, but once I figured out how to make it juicy instead of dry, he started asking me to make it when his friends come over. The funny thing is, pork tenderloin recipe tenderloin is actually pretty hard to mess up once you know a couple basic tricks.
Why You'll Love This Pork Tenderloin Recipe
I've been making this pork tenderloin recipe for my family for years, and it's become one of our most requested dinners. It takes about 30 minutes total, which is perfect when Max gets home from soccer practice and everyone's starving. He used to be picky about pork tenderloin recipe, but this recipe changed his mind completely - now he asks me to make extra so he can take some for lunch.
The best part is how good it looks when you slice it up. People think you've been cooking all day, but really you just sear it and stick it in the oven. One tenderloin feeds our family of four with leftovers, and it's not expensive like some other cuts. Even when I'm rushing and don't time everything perfectly, it still comes out juicy and tasty.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Ingredients for Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- How To Make Perfect Pork Tenderloin Recipe Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Your Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Fun Twists on Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Equipement For Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Storing Your Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Top Tip
- How My Sister's Dish Became a Family Favorite
- FAQ
- Perfect Pork Tenderloin Every Time!
- Related
- Pairing
- pork tenderloin recipe
Ingredients for Pork Tenderloin Recipe
The Main Players:
- Pork tenderloin
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Fresh thyme or rosemary
For Extra Flavor:
- Dijon mustard
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Butter for finishing
Basic Tools:
- Oven-safe skillet
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs
- Cutting board
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Perfect Pork Tenderloin Recipe Step By Step
Get Ready:
- Take the pork out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking
- Pat it completely dry with paper towels
- Season all over with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- Preheat your oven to 425°F
Sear It:
- Heat oil in your oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat
- When the oil shimmers, add the pork
- Don't move it for 2-3 minutes until it gets golden brown
- Turn it and brown all sides
Finish in Oven:
- Pop the whole skillet in the oven
- Cook for 12-15 minutes depending on size
- Use a meat thermometer - you want 145°F in the thickest part
- Take it out and let it rest for 5 minutes
Smart Swaps for Your Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Different Seasonings:
- Garlic powder → Fresh minced garlic (use less)
- Paprika → Cumin for a different flavor
- Thyme → Whatever herbs you have around
- Skip the herbs completely if you don't have any
Cooking Fat:
- Olive oil → Vegetable oil or whatever you cook with
- Add butter at the end → Skip it if you want to keep it lighter
For Special Diets:
- Regular soy sauce → Low-sodium version
- Honey → Skip it or use maple syrup
- All the seasonings → Just salt and pepper works fine
No Oven-Safe Pan:
- Sear in regular pan, then move to baking dish
- Takes an extra step but works just as well
Fun Twists on Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Asian Style:
- Soy sauce and honey glaze
- Garlic and ginger
- Serve with rice
- Max calls this "fancy takeout"
Mexican Inspired:
- Cumin and chili powder
- Squeeze of lime at the end
- Goes great with black beans
- Even better in tacos the next day
Apple and Herbs:
- Add sliced apples to the pan
- Fresh rosemary if you have it
- The apples get all caramelized and sweet
- Feels like fall dinner
Simple Mustard:
- Brush with Dijon before seasoning
- Creates a nice tangy crust
- Max won't eat this version but I love it
Equipement For Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Oven-safe skillet (cast iron is perfect)
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs
- Sharp knife for slicing
Storing Your Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Right After Cooking:
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing
- Slice what you're eating now, leave the rest whole
- Whole pieces stay juicier than sliced
In the Fridge (3-4 days):
- Wrap it tight or put in a container
- Slice it cold for sandwiches
- Reheat gently in the oven or microwave
- Add a splash of broth when reheating to keep it moist
For Later:
- Freezes okay for about 2 months
- Slice it before freezing in portions
- Thaw in the fridge overnight
Top Tip
- Last spring, Max was helping me make Pork Tenderloin Recipe for his friend's family who was coming over for dinner. While I was getting the pan ready, he was supposed to be mixing the seasonings. Instead of using the garlic powder like usual, he grabbed what he thought was garlic powder but turned out to be onion powder.
- I didn't notice until I was already rubbing it on the Pork Tenderloin Recipe, and we were running late. Max felt terrible and kept apologizing, but I told him we'd just see how it turned out. That onion powder actually made the outside get this amazing caramelized crust that was even better than our regular version. The sweet onion flavor worked perfectly with the pork.
- Now Max always asks if we can use "his mix" - half garlic powder, half onion powder. His friend's mom asked for the recipe that night and couldn't believe how simple it was. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when someone makes a mistake in the kitchen.
How My Sister's Dish Became a Family Favorite
My sister never considered herself much of a cook, but during one particularly chaotic Thanksgiving when our usual host got sick, she volunteered to bring something she'd never made before - a sweet potato casserole she'd found in an old church cookbook. She was nervous about it all week, calling me twice to ask if she should add more marshmallows or try a different recipe entirely. When she showed up that day, the dish looked simple compared to all the other elaborate sides on the table, but something about the way it smelled made everyone curious.
Within minutes of putting it out, that casserole was nearly gone, and suddenly everyone was asking my sister for the recipe. What made it special wasn't fancy ingredients or complicated techniques - it was the perfect balance of creamy sweet potatoes, a hint of vanilla, and a crunchy pecan topping that somehow felt both nostalgic and fresh. Now, three years later, she brings it to every family gathering, and she's become the person everyone turns to when they need a reliable side dish. She's even started experimenting with other recipes, but that sweet potato casserole remains her signature dish and the one that gave her confidence in the kitchen.
FAQ
What is the best method of cooking pork tenderloin?
Pan-searing followed by oven roasting is the best method. Sear all sides in a hot skillet to develop a golden crust, then finish in a 425°F oven. This combination gives you the perfect texture - crispy outside and juicy inside.
What is the 7 6 5 method for pork tenderloin?
The 7-6-5 method refers to cooking times: 7 minutes searing, 6 minutes in oven, then 5 minutes resting. However, cooking time varies by thickness, so always use a meat thermometer to check for 145°F internal temperature rather than relying solely on time.
How does Gordon Ramsay cook a pork tenderloin?
Ramsay uses high heat searing and oven finishing, similar to this recipe. He emphasizes getting good color on all sides and not overcooking. His method focuses on proper seasoning, high-heat searing, and resting the meat before slicing.
What sauce goes well with pork?
Pork pairs well with many sauces: apple cider pan sauce, mushroom gravy, honey mustard glaze, or simple herb butter. For this recipe, even just the pan drippings mixed with a little butter make a great simple sauce.
Perfect Pork Tenderloin Every Time!
Now you know how to make juicy, flavorful pork tenderloin recipe from the basic searing technique to Max's onion powder discovery. This recipe proves that good dinners don't have to be complicated, just done right.
Want more family-friendly main dishes? Try our Easy Fish Soup Recipe that's perfect for summer cookouts. Need something cozy? Our The Best Spinach Pie Recipe feeds a crowd with minimal effort. Or make our Healthy Japanese Eggplant Recipe that always impresses dinner guests!
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Pairing
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pork tenderloin recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Let the pork sit at room temperature before cooking.
- Pat the pork completely dry using paper towels.
- Generously season the pork on all sides with spices.
- Heat the oven to 425°F before starting to cook.
- Brown the pork on all sides in a hot skillet.
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