Pork tenderloin is one of the cleanest and softest types of meat cuts to work with. However, to get it right every time, even the most seasoned cook may need a helping hand. To find a pork tenderloin oven recipe that delivers perfect results every time, here are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, the tenderloin is taken from the loin of the pig which runs from the hip to the shoulder.

It may also be called a pork fillet by some and its tenderness is due to the fact this muscle does not receive much exercise if any. This makes it one of the most relaxed and easiest cuts of meat to prepare. To make the best pork tenderloin oven recipe, look for a tenderloin that has not been marinated beforehand or is sold packaged in the marinade.

This will allow you to season the meat yourself and therefore, control the quantities of oil and salt used. Also, tenderloin is usually available in individual packages sold in the grocery store’s meat section. However, since a single tenderloin does not have too much meat, the package will often contain two tenderloins to make up for the weight.

• How to select tenderloin?

The rest is up to you. If you feel that two tenderloins may be too much to handle at one time, then simply freeze one while using the other. Or if you do decide to cook both pieces together, leftovers can keep well and be used in sandwiches and other grab-and-go lunch ideas.   

• Pork tenderloin oven recipe

When roasted in the oven to perfection, a pork tenderloin oven recipe can be an easy option for a quiet dinner or a fancy occasion. You can keep it simple or dress it up for any special occasion.

• 1 ¼ lb. pork tenderloin 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground coriander 2 tbsp. oil    salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400. Trim fat off tenderloin and pierce all over with a fork. Brush tenderloin with oil. Combine dry seasonings together and rub onto the meat. Heat skillet with 1 tbsp. oil in it. When hot, add pork and brown on all sides.

Place skillet with tenderloin in oven and bake uncovered for 13-15 minutes. Flip tenderloin once halfway during cooking. When internal temperature registers at 140-150, tenderloin is done. Rest the meat for 5-10 minutes before serving.

• Pork Tenderloin Grill Recipe 

When grilling, always cook tenderloin over indirect heat. Based on the size and dimension of the tenderloin, cooking times may vary between twenty to thirty minutes when grilled on medium heat. It is recommended to flip the tenderloin every 4-5 minutes until its internal temperature reads 140 to 150 degrees.

• 1 ¾ lb. pork tenderloin ½ cup barbeque sauce ¼ cup grape jelly
• 2 tbsp. Sriracha Sauce 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

To marinate place pork tenderloin in a dish or large plastic Ziploc bag.

Mix together all marinade ingredients together including the sauces, grape jelly, garlic, and pepper. Pour half of the marinade over the tenderloin and seal the Ziploc bag. If marinating in a dish, cover it with foil and place the marinated tenderloin in the refrigerator. Leave to marinate for an hour minimum or overnight if possible.

Cover and store the remaining marinade in the fridge for use later.

Grill tenderloin until the recommended internal temperature is reached. Remove from grill and wrap with foil for 5- 10 minutes to allow the meat to rest. When ready to serve, brush with the remaining barbeque sauce and serve with additional sauce on the side.

To dress up the tenderloin, serve as a pork tenderloin recipe with apples, mushrooms, onions, pineapple, or any other items of your choice.

• Pork Tenderloin Crock Pot Recipe

Like pork tenderloin oven recipes, crockpot cooking also yields extremely moist meats that can easily melt in the mouth. While using a pork tenderloin oven recipe yields succulent results, this is also a very suitable way to cook tenderloin since it can overcook and dry out easily.

• 2 lbs. tenderloin ¼ cup soy sauce 1 ½ tsp yellow mustard
• 2 tbsp. olive oil 3 tbsp. maple syrup 1 chopped shallot
• 1 tsp onion powder 1 ½ tsp. garlic powder

Set crockpot setting on low. Mix all ingredients together for the marinade. Place meat in the crockpot and cover with marinade. Cook on low setting for about 5 hours for 2 small tenderloins or 6 hours for one large piece.

It is recommended to turn over the tenderloin twice during the cooking process to ensure even cooking at intervals of 2 and 4 hours.

• Tips For Cooking Pork Tenderloin In Oven Recipe

Since tenderloin is already a soft and lean meat cut, it is important not to overcook it.  Overcooking can easily make the perfect pork tenderloin oven recipe go from being juicy and soft to chewy and dry, so keep a check on the internal temperature and remove pork from the pan when the thermometer registers 140-150 degrees in the thickest part of the meat. This is regardless of if the meat remains slightly pink inside. (It is normal for tenderloin meat that has been cooked to perfection to be slightly pinkish in appearance). We hope as you are reading this article you find the right pork tenderloin recipe oven bake for you.

While it is well served simply with the minimal of seasonings, adding bold ingredients to pork tenderloin can dramatically enhance its flavor profile.  Tart and spicy toppings like grilled pineapple, charred jalapenos, pickled onions, or fresh cilantro can take an otherwise regular pork tenderloin oven recipe a long way and transform it into something unique. 

Another tip to get the perfect result from a pork tenderloin oven recipe is to prepare it with a tangy dairy marinade. Simply soak the tenderloin in an acidic dairy like sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk before cooking. This tenderizes the meat unbelievably and adds rich flavor to it.   

Expert chefs like Jamie Oliver suggest serving mushroom stuffed honey roasted pork tenderloin for a fancy occasion or perhaps pork tenderloin with plum barbeque sauce. Other pork tenderloin Jamie Oliver recipes include ideas like Cajun pork tenderloin, rum glazed tenderloin or pork tenderloin with chipotle maple mop.

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Imaged used via creative commons 2.0 – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Image One by Timothy Vollmer – https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixteenmilesofstring/1729062145/

Image Two by Kurman – https://www.flickr.com/photos/kurmanphotos/13298521304/

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