Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (2024)

by Scott Groth 4 Comments

A simple baked pork tenderloin recipe with only three ingredients makes preparation a breeze. This tried and true recipe makes juicy pork with a flavorful dijon crust that simply melts in your mouth.

THIS BAKED PORK TENDERLOINRECIPE IS: GLUTEN FREE, PALEO AND LOW CARB.

I've been eating this recipe for about 15 years now. It was the very first thing that my wife cooked for me back when we were still dating. I can still remember that first bite. The tender pork awash in a savory dijon herb crust. It was so delicious. I thought she must have worked all day to make it. Turns out, it's about the easiest pork tenderloin recipe that I've seen. Big props to my wife for making it all look so easy.

Prepping the Pork Tenderloin

For those of you not entirely familiar working with pork tenderloin, here's the scoop: when you buy it from the store, the package is going to come with 2 tenderloins. I'm not sure why, but I haven't seen a single tenderloin sold in any of the grocery stores around here in years. Welcome the second tenderloin with open arms. Its visit will be short as it disappears from your cutting board during dinner.

Pork tenderloin is a very lean cut of meat. You can clean it with a sharp paring knife fairly easily. The one spot to be sure to remove is the tough silver skin. It might look white when you first look at it, but if you get into it, there is a silver sheen to it. Just stick the paring knife under that section and remove it. It will be tough and chewy if you leave it on there. Not sure about you, but those two adjectives shouldn't be used when talking about the "tender"loin, if you know what I mean.

At our house, we cook the tenderloin on parchment paper. As the pork cooks, it releases moisture which the parchment absorbs. All this means is that there is no sticking when you remove it from the oven. If you choose to use aluminum foil to line your pan, give it a quick spray with some of that non-stick stuff or olive oil. Not too much, just a bit.

QUICK COOKING TIP:Beware the overcooked pork tenderloin! Here's the scoop... Pork is lean so it will dry out pretty quickly. The dijon does a great job of preventing dryness in this recipe, but heat will eventually win out. Be sure that you have your instant read thermometer ready to go. At about 20 minutes, make sure you take a quick reading of the temperature of BOTH tenderloins. One will undoubtedly be larger than the other, so they will be cooking at different rates. At 150 degrees, remove the cooked tenderloin from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. The temperature will rise another 5 degrees while it sits, which will be "just a bit pink" on the inside. Perfection.

Let's get to cooking on this baked pork tenderloin recipe.

Yield: 6 people

BAKED PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE

Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (5)

From oven to table, this baked tenderloin recipe will quickly become a family favorite. Juicy, flavorful and easy to make.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time25 minutes

Total Time35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2.5 LBS Pork Tenderloin
  • ½ Cup Dijon Mustard
  • 1.5 tablespoon Herbs de Provence

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
  2. Prepare the tenderloins by removing the silver skin and slicing 3-4 times lengthwise on the tenderloin. Smother with the dijon and sprinkle the Herbs de Provence on top.
  3. Add the tenderloin to the oven and cook for approximately 25-30 minutes. Be sure to temp the meat at 20 minutes. When the tenderloin is at 150 degrees, remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  4. Slice against the grain and serve hot!

Notes

Cooking the meat to 150 degrees and allowing to rest on the counter should give you a nice, pink interior. Different ovens cook at different rates, so maybe check at 18 minutes if your oven tends to cook hot.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6
Amount Per ServingCalories 241

Did you make this recipe?

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Final thoughts on the baked pork tenderloin recipe:

We made this at my catering company many times. We made it for a couple reasons: first, it's fast. Fast to prepare and fast to cook. Second, it is a recipe that holds well and really has a broad appeal. Even for people who can't stand dijon, you'll find that the mustardloses most of its punch in the oven. The mixture of flavors from the Herbs de Provence just melds perfectly with the mustard and the pork.

This is the perfect dish to go with some asparagus with shallots (recipe coming soon!), definitely awesome with somebutter braised carrots with thymeor even my caramelizedSauteed Brussel Sprouts. If you're looking for something really special and really easy (why not add more easy!) then take a look at thesecreamed leeks. They are just so good. If all else fails, a simple salad with dijon vinaigrette would pair perfectly.

A big thank you goes out to my wife (not only for this recipe, but for so many things) for making this for me so long ago and pretty much whenever I want since then. It's one of my favorites. Awesome recipe.

If you made or are planning on making the baked pork tenderloin recipe, let me know! Any questions or thoughts, please leave acomment. Thanks!

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Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (7)

About Scott Groth

Scott Groth has gone from a burned out, overweight executive to a professional food blogger, chef, low carb + keto enthusiast. His style is fun, fresh, and family-friendly. Learn more about Scott in his bio, discover the story behind this blog, and learn about his incredible low-carb journey.

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Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

2021• Tips & Tricks. First, you will want to preheat your oven to 400° F. You will end up lowering the heat later on but it is important to start at a high temp to trap the moisture inside the pork loin.

What temperature do you bake a pork tenderloin? ›

Roast at 425° (F) for 25-30 minutes

After 25 minutes, check the thickest part of the meat. Once the internal temp is at least 145°(F), you're good to remove from the oven. Set the pork tenderloin on a plate and let it sit for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

How long to cook pork tenderloin in oven at 400 without? ›

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. This means the pork will be juicy and slightly pink in the middle.

How do you 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

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

A good rule of thumb is to cook pork loin 25 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), so use a thermometer to know when it's done. You'll want to let your pork loin rest at least three minutes before serving.

How long to cook pork tenderloin at 400 degrees? ›

The Directions
  1. Bake. Cook pork tenderloin in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees F.
  2. Let Rest. 10 minutes (even 5 is better than none!).
  3. Slice. We like 1-inch medallions. ENJOY the melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
Apr 11, 2024

What temp do chefs cook 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 temp is pork tenderloin most tender? ›

Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor. Ground pork should always be cooked to 160° F.

How long to cook 1 pound pork tenderloin in the oven at 350 degrees? ›

From oven oven-roasting to grilling, here's a quick guide to cooking times: 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 to bake 2 lb pork tenderloin at 400 degrees? ›

Place in the oven and bake uncovered at 400˚F for 13-15 minutes, flipping the tenderloin over halfway through baking. Bake until center of pork registers 150˚F (I have let mine get to 160 and it's still super tender) then transfer to a cutting board and let meat rest 5-10 min before slice into rings to serve.

How long to cook a 1.5 lb pork loin at 400 degrees? ›

Cook the pork loin for 10 minutes in the 400-degree oven. This will help to create a kind of “crust” on the meat to help keep the juices inside. Next, lower your oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to cook your roast for about 20 minutes per pound of meat.

Can pork tenderloin be pink? ›

Cooked muscle meats can be pink even when the meat has reached a safe internal temperature. Cook all raw pork steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (62.8 °C) as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source.

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.

How do you keep pork moist when baking? ›

How to Keep Pork Chops from Drying Out? Brine Them! After you bring your pork chops home, time to brine! Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop.

How do you keep pork tenderloin moist? ›

Using a brine or a marinade will make your life so much easier. If you're not confident in your cooking skills, there is one foolproof way to guarantee your pork ends up on the tender side, even if you cook it too long: Soak it in a brine or a marinade.

How many minutes per pound pork tenderloin at 400? ›

I cook mine at 300 F for 40 minutes per pound. This will differ if you are cooking pork tenderloin as they are typically smaller and leaner than a shoulder roast. Cook tenderloins at 400 F for 15–20 minutes. Internal temp should be around 150 F.

Should pork tenderloin be at 350 or 375? ›

A good temperature to cook pork tenderloin is 350°F. You want to make sure your pork tenderloin internal temp reaches about 150°F. The best way to not overcook or undercook your pork tenderloin is to use a meat thermometer to check the temp internally to make sure it reaches 150°F.

How long to cook pork on 400? ›

As a general rule of thumb, plan on 7 to 8 minutes per 1/2 inch of thickness for pork chops baked at 400 degrees F. This means 3/4-inch chops will take between 10 and 20 minutes.

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