Make juicy, flavorful pork right in your oven in just 40 minutes from pantry to table. This recipe uses a homemade seasoning mix and the simple method is perfect for beginner cooks.
We love making pork tenderloin in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, but there are times when a quick, oven-baked method is the perfect solution. It’s easier to keep an eye on the temperature so it doesn’t dry out, and it’s just as fast as making it in the Instant Pot. Plus, you don’t have to haul a small appliance out of your cupboards to make it.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- Pork tenderloin: this recipe uses 2 (1 pound) tenderloins. They usually come in a pack of two at the store. Note that this is not pork loin, which is a different, larger cut. If you want to substitute a pork loin for the tenderloins in this recipe, you’ll need to adjust the cook time to be longer (see FAQ section).
- Olive oil: we usually go with extra virgin olive oil. You’ll need two tablespoons to brush over the tenderloins.
- Seasoning mix: we make a homemade seasoning mix to flavor the tenderloin with common ingredients found in your pantry. We use brown sugar, dry mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. You can change these out or adjust the amounts to highlight certain flavors. The dry mustard gives it a really subtle flavor, but if you want something stronger, you could brush the tenderloins with dijon mustard instead of olive oil.
Equipment Needed
We keep it really simple with this recipe. You need:
- Small mixing bowl for the seasoning mix
- 9×13 baking pan or something similar in size to cook the tenderloin
- Meat thermometer to make sure your meat is fully cooked (145°F) without overcooking it
How to Make This Simple Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin
- Preheat the oven, then make the homemade seasoning mix. Adjust seasonings as needed to get the flavor profile you prefer.
- Pat the tenderloin dry. We use paper towels for easy cleanup. Massage olive oil into tenderloins, and then season on all sides.
- Place pork in a greased baking dish and bake uncovered. Check for doneness (145°F) at around the 25 minute mark.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving. This will help the juices redistribute, and make for melt-in-your-mouth tender pieces.
What to serve with baked pork tenderloin
- Give this recipe the Sunday dinner treatment with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and orange glazed carrots.
- Keep it simple for a weeknight with a fresh fruit salad or 30-minute dinner rolls.
- Go for a potluck or summertime feel with a creamy pasta salad or traditional potato salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Prepare the pork through the seasoning step, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. You can do this up to 24 hours in advance.
This recipe calls for 2 (1 pound) tenderloins because they are usually sold in packs of two. They are smaller and leaner than pork loin. If you want to substitute pork loin, you will need to adjust the cooking time (estimate about 20-30 minutes per pound) and you may need more seasoning mix and olive oil to full coat the pork loin.
Let pork cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-4 days. You can freeze cooked pork for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw completely in the refrigerator and warm in a skillet or microwave. You can add a little extra olive oil as needed. Be sure to watch it closely so it doesn’t overheat and dry out when reheating.
More Easy Pork Recipes
You can view our entire collection of pork main dishes here. These are some of our favorites:
- Sheet Pan Italian Pork Chops
- Oven Roasted Pork Shoulder
- Chicken Fried Pork Chops
- Slow Cooker Honey Balsamic Pork Roast
- Grilled Pork Medallions
Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1 pound pork tenderloins
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pat tenderloins dry with paper towels, then rub with olive oil on all sides. Sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly on all sides of both tenderloins.
- Place pork in a greased 9×13 pan or baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork reaches 145℉.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
