I have zero doubts that you are going to LOVE this easy roasted pork tenderloin recipe. Zero. Doubts. The rub, the method, the tips, they’ve been designed (and relentlessly tested) to make sure that you have the most delicious pork tenderloin of your life.

A rectangle, wooden cutting board with two roasted pork tenderloins. One is sliced into medallions, and the other is whole. Both have a dark chili rub on the exterior.

We actually cook a LOT of pork tenderloin in our home! It’s a pretty affordable protein, makes for really great leftovers, absorbs spice and marinades really well, and is VERY easy to cook. Fast, also. I probably wind up making it once a week and this is the exact method I use.

Looking for more pork recipes that’ll knock your socks off? These honey garlic pork chops are so flavorful, this slow cooker BBQ pulled pork is the easiest, most delicious recipe ever, and you can’t go wrong with teriyaki pork tenderloin.

Pork Loin vs. Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin and pork loin may sound similar, but they’re actually quite different! Here’s a breakdown of the two:

  • Pork tenderloin – a smaller cut of meat that is sold whole and usually weighs close to one pound. The tenderloin is from a muscle that runs along the spine of the pig and isn’t used for movement. As a result, it’s much more tender than other cuts of meat. Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat that has a very mild flavor.
  • Pork loin – a larger cut of meat that is usually sold as a 3-5 pound roast. Pork loin is fattier than pork tenderloin, usually comes with a fat cap on top, and can be sold either boneless or bone-in.

Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe Ingredients

Roasted pork tenderloin ingredients on an Epicurean cutting board.
  • 2 tablespoons of chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt
  • 2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins
  • 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil

How to Make Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Hand sprinkling seasoning on top of pork tenderloin in a glass bowl.
Drizzling olive oil on top of seasoned pork tenderloins.
Searing pork tenderloin in a white, cast iron enameled pan.
Two pork tenderloins seared in a white enameled pan.
Two seared pork tenderloins on a baking sheet.
Two roasted pork tenderloins on a baking sheet.
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Mix the spice rub + coat the tenderloins – in a small bowl, stir together the chili powder, brown sugar, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, and salt. Rub the spice mixture over both pork tenderloins.
  3. Sear the tenderloins – in a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until the it shimmers and runs easily when you tilt the pan. Add the pork, working in batches if the pan is overcrowded by both tenderloins, and sear for 3 to 4 minutes, until a crust starts to form on the bottom, then flip the tenderloins and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on the second side.
  4. Roast – turn the pork one last time, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast for 15 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the pork registers 145°F.
  5. Let rest, then slice and serve – remove the tenderloins from the oven and tent them with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice, serve, and enjoy!

How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin in Oven

The pork tenderloin will cook in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. You can check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer once the 15 minutes is up, or monitor it throughout while it’s in the oven with an in-oven thermometer.

What Temp to Cook Pork Tenderloin to?

Pork tenderloin should be cooked to 145°F. Monitor the internal temperature while it’s in the oven using an in-oven thermometer (if you do this, you don’t actually need to set a 15 minute timer, you’ll just take the tenderloins out of the oven when the thermometer beeps) or once the 15 minutes is up, using an instant-read thermometer. My personal preference is the in-oven thermometer, but either works great!

Tips for the Best Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Cooking pork tenderloin is super user-friendly and straight-forward, but it doesn’t hurt to have a few pointers in the back of your mind to pull from if needed. Our best tips are below! 

  • Don’t overcook it – the KEY to delicious, juicy pork tenderloin is to pull it from the oven when it reaches temperature (145°F). The best way to keep track of the temperature is to use a thermometer (either while the pork tenderloin is in the oven or once the 15 minute timer is up).
  • Use bold seasoning – pork tenderloin can be a little boring on its own, so be sure to coat it generously in a bold spice blend (or marinade) ahead of cooking. The spice rub included in this recipe is a REALLY good one!
  • Cook TWO! – this isn’t necessarily a tip to make your pork tenderloin taste *better*, but whenever you’re cooking pork tenderloin, I recommend cooking two (instead of just one for that night’s dinner). Pork tenderloin saves really well, so it’s a great option to batch cook.
Up close photo of sliced pork tenderloin on a wooden cutting board.

Roast Pork Tenderloin Recipe Serving Suggestions

Pork tenderloin can be served in many different ways! I like to pair it with one starchy side and one veggie side – sweet plantains + sauteed kale and quinoa + sauteed green beans would both be delicious options. 

Storing this Recipe for Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Store leftover pork tenderloin, whole or sliced, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, slice (if it isn’t already), and pop a slice or two in the microwave or in the oven (on a sheet pan) for a couple of minutes, until heated through.

Should you cover pork tenderloin in the oven?

You actually don’t need to cover your pork tenderloin while it’s in the oven! Because it’s only in there for 15 minutes, it actually isn’t at risk for burning.

What temperature should pork tenderloin be cooked at?

Pork tenderloin should be cooked to 145°F. The best way to monitor the temperature of your tenderloin is to use a thermometer. I actually rely on my in-oven thermometer (instead of my oven timer) to determine when I pull my tenderloins out of the oven!

Should I sear a pork tenderloin before baking?

You don’t *have* to sear your pork tenderloin before baking it, but searing it definitely does create a really yummy crust and build a ton of flavor. If you have time to sear your tenderloins, I recommend it, but if you don’t, this is an okay step to skip!

Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

4.60 — Votes 10 votes
By Cassy Joy Garcia
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
I have zero doubts that you are going to LOVE this easy roasted pork tenderloin recipe. Zero. Doubts. The rub, the method, the tips, they’ve been designed (and relentlessly tested) to make sure that you have the most delicious pork tenderloin of your life.

Ingredients  

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2, 1-pound pork tenderloins
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the chili powder, brown sugar, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, and salt. Rub the spice mixture over both pork tenderloins.
  • In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers and runs easily when you tilt the pan. Add the pork, working in batches if the pan is overcrowded by both tenderloins, and sear for 3 to 4 minutes, until a crust starts to form on the bottom, then flip the tenderloins and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on the second side.
  • Turn the pork one last time, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast for 15 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the pork registers 145°F.
  • Remove the tenderloins from the oven and tent them with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Cooking pork tenderloin is super user-friendly and straight-forward, but it doesn’t hurt to have a few pointers in the back of your mind to pull from if needed. Our best tips are below! 
  • Don’t overcook it – the KEY to delicious, juicy pork tenderloin is to pull it from the oven when it reaches temperature (145°F). The best way to keep track of the temperature is to use a thermometer (either while the pork tenderloin is in the oven or once the 15 minute timer is up).
  • Use bold seasoning – pork tenderloin can be a little boring on its own, so be sure to coat it generously in a bold spice blend (or marinade) ahead of cooking. The spice rub included in this recipe is a REALLY good one!
  • Cook TWO! – this isn’t necessarily a tip to make your pork tenderloin taste *better*, but whenever you’re cooking pork tenderloin, I recommend cooking two (instead of just one for that night’s dinner). Pork tenderloin saves really well, so it’s a great option to batch cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 855kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 141g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 442mg | Sodium: 679mg | Potassium: 2750mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1049IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 7mg

Additional Info

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 855
Keyword: how to cook pork, oven roasted pork tenderloin

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Brandi Schilhab


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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My entire life I’ve always thought that I hated pork tenderloin. Every time I tried it regardless of who cooked it , it was always so DRY and flavorless. Well thanks to ridiculous inflation on groceries I’ve had to look at other meat and proteins. Publix had a sale on 2lb pork tenderloins 3$ each !!! So even though I had always despised pork tenderloins I couldn’t pass up the sale at that price ! I bought only 1of them, huge mistake lol . After I got home I scoured the internet for recipes. Thank Goodness I decided to try yours first! Now let me say , I am in love with pork tenderloin! It was so incredibly tender , juicy and full of flavor! Seriously forget steak I’m a pork tenderloin gal thanks to you ! The very next morning I drove to public and bought 20 pork tenderloins !!! Which only cost me 60$! So thanks to you my family now has an absolute favorite protein! Plus the price is amazing. I asked my son what he wanted for dinner tomorrow and he said pork tenderloin lol which we just had 3 days ago lol but I am happily going to make it again! Thank you so much for your recipe โค๏ธ

    1. This is the best thing I’ve ever read!!! Made us smile SO big! We are so so happy you found us and have a new favorite protein!!! <3

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious seasoning mix and recipe! Entire recipe came together quick and made the house smell so good! Highly recommend!

  3. 5 stars
    We loved this. Juicy and full of flavor. It will definitely go into the rotation.

    1. We are so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us! -Team FF

  4. 5 stars
    This was perfection. It was so juicy and flavourful, I’ve never made such a delicious tenderloin and it’s going into the repeat file. I love your recipes! I can always count on them working out perfectly. Thank you!

    1. We are so glad to hear that, Josephine! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us, and thank you so much for being here! It really means so much. -Team FF

  5. 5 stars
    Excellent and so easy and fast!! I was skeptical of the combo of spices in the rub but it was super flavorful and juicy. I threw this together on a busy weeknight with wild rice and squash, but it’s suitable for company as well! They’ll think you spent all day in the kitchen! Loved this and it’s definitely a repeater!

    1. What a delicious meal! We are so glad that this recipe was a hit for you and helpful on a busy weeknight. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us! We really appreciate you. -Team FF