It’s so simple to make this recipe for roasted pork tenderloin! Rub the pork tenderloin with a delicious rub, sear it quickly in a pan, and then bake it in an oven.
It is delicious and juicy, and the leftovers taste great, too. I make this recipe twice as often.
Recently, I have been cooking a few pork tenderloin dishes a lot. This is one of them. One of them is this one. Both recipes are delicious and, more importantly, easy to prepare.
It is very tasty, even though it’s lean.
If you do not overcook the meat, it will be tender and delicious. Try these Pork Shoulder Steaks if you want a more fatty cut. They’re amazing!
Ingredients
This recipe is easy to prepare and only requires a few ingredients. You can find the exact measurements in the recipe below. What you will need is listed below:
- Avocado Oil This oil is neutral in taste and has a high smoking point. It’s ideal for roasting at high heat.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: If you are using fine salt, you will need to reduce it by half, or your dish may become too salty.
- Spices: I use dried oregano and cumin.
- Pork tenderloin – Choose one that weighs around 1.25 lb. They are available at my local grocery store or Whole Foods.
PORK TENDERLOIN VS. LOIN OF PORK
Although the terms “pork loin,” “pork Tenderloin,” and “pork rib” are often used interchangeably, these are two separate cuts.
The loin of pork is a large, thick cut from the back. Pork tenderloin comes from the ribcage and is thin.
It is also leaner and, therefore, more tender. You can roast it quickly, as we did here, or cube it and use it in a stir-fry. It can also be cut into medallions for pan-frying. Pork loin should be slow-cooked.
Variations
This recipe can be varied in two ways. You can use different fats to sauté the tenderloin. Instead of avocado oil, you can use ghee. It adds a nutty taste and can handle high-heat cooking.
You can also experiment with other seasonings to make this recipe unique. Onion powder and dried coriander are two options I liked. I use about 1/2 teaspoon each.
Instructions for roasting pork tenderloin
It’s so easy to make. The tenderloin is rubbed with a delicious rub, sears quickly in a skillet, and then transferred to the oven for the final cooking. The recipe card provides detailed instructions.
- Start by mixing the salt, pepper, and spices.
- Rub this mixture over the pork. (Photo 1).
- In a hot pan, sear the pork on all sides. (Photos 2-3).
- Roast it until it is fully cooked. This may take 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your it and the temperature in your oven. (Photos 4-5).
Ingredients
- One teaspoon of Diamond Crystal kosher salt or half a teaspoon of fine salt
- Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon
- One teaspoon of garlic powder
- Oregano dried, one teaspoon
- Cumin ground to 1 teaspoon
- Thyme dried one teaspoon
- Smoked paprika, one teaspoon
- One pork tenderloin (1 1/4 pound)
- One tablespoon of avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a pan with foil. Fit the pan with a rack, and lightly grease it.
- Use a fork and combine the kosher sea salt, black powder, oregano, cumin, thyme, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.
- Spread the seasoning mix all over the tenderloin and rub it with your hands.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the avocado oil and stir to coat. Place the pork gently in the skillet. Sear the first side for 2 minutes without moving to get a well-browned crust.
- Then, flip the pork gently to the other side and sear it for another 2 minutes. Sear the remaining two sides for 1 minute each.
- Then turn off the heat. Transfer the tenderloin using tongs onto the roasting rack. Place the tenderloin in a hot oven and roast it for 20-30 minutes until an instant-read temperature thermometer reads 145degF. Cover the pork with foil if you plan to roast it for more than 20 minutes. This will prevent the top of the meat from burning.
- Remove the tenderloin. Cover it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting and serving.