This Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin recipe is perfect for those who don’t have the skills to cook well but want to impress others. It’s easy to make and almost foolproof. Mix some oil, garlic, herbs and oil and spread it on the pork. Then, bake it. THE END. It’s that simple.
What herbs go best with pork?
Pork, milder than chicken, can be used with many herbs and spices. This recipe uses a classic blend of Basil, rosemary, and Thyme. It can also season any meat (chicken or beef). To give it some body, I added garlic and black pepper. You can add crushed red pepper to take it to the next level.
Salt is an important part of seasoning this pork. Salt is essential to the flavour of herbs. Don’t skimp on salt!
HOW DO I KNOW THE PORK TENDERLOIN IS DONE?
It can be not easy to cook meat. Each cut of meat is different and will require a different cooking time. An instant-read meat thermometer is a great way to eliminate the guesswork from cooking meat. It’s also one of the most important tools that you should have in your kitchen. This digital thermometer is my current favourite. It’s very affordable.
Your digital thermometer should be inserted in the thickest portion of the pork tenderloin to check for doneness. The temperature should be at least 145°F. However, I prefer my tenderloin to be cooked to around 155°F (don’t judge).
What cut of pork is best for this recipe?
This recipe was originally prepared with a small piece of loin pork. I have since changed it to include tenderloin. They have very different names, and they are two different muscles. Pork loins can be quite large and more difficult than tenderloin muscles. This recipe calls for pork tenderloin, which I prefer. If you use pork loin, please be aware that it may take longer to cook (and likely require more herb rub) if it is greater than 1.5 lbs.
Two packs of pork tenderloins can often be purchased. This recipe can be doubled (make sure you don’t overcrowd the meat) or frozen for later use.
I served it with my Balsamic Roasted Vegetables. To drizzle on top, you could make the balsamic sauce. You could also serve this pork with Baked Barley and Mushrooms or Wild Rice Pilaf.
HERB-ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN
Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin can be served as a simple, elegant main dish for weeknight dinners as it can for special occasions.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cloves of garlic ($0.16)
- 1 tsp dried Basil ($0.10)
- 1 tsp dried Thyme ($0.10)
- 1 tsp dried rosemary (0.10)
- Freshly cracked black pepper ($0.05
- 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.32)
- 1.33 lbs. pork tenderloin ($4.68)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400°F Mince the garlic. In a small bowl, combine the rosemary, Thyme and dried Basil. You can crush the rosemary with your hands. Mix the olive oil, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and garlic in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Place the pork tenderloin onto a baking sheet. The oil and herb mixture should be applied to the pork’s entire surface, including its underside.
- Roast the pork in the oven for 35 minutes or until it reaches 145oF. Let the pork rest at room temperature for 10 min before cutting and serving.
NUTRITION
Serving Size: 1 Serving Calories : 280.1 Kilocalories : 2.1 G Protein : 28.6g Fat : 17.53g Sodium : 828.3mg Fiber : 0.3g