This Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor! With a simple spice rub and no searing required, this recipe is fast, easy to prep, and ready in just over 30 minutes. Perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal!
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup butter, cut into pats
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and adjust the rack to the middle position.
- Prepare the Pork: Trim any excess fat and silver skin from the tenderloins, then pat them dry with paper towels.
- Make the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the tenderloins.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the tenderloins in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Distribute the butter pats evenly on top of the tenderloins.
- Bake the Pork: Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F in the thickest part. Use an instant-read meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Rest and Serve: Let the pork rest for 5–10 minutes to retain its juices. Slice into medallions and pour the pan juices over the top for extra flavor. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Serving Size: Serves 6–8, depending on portion size. Halve the recipe if you’re cooking only one pork tenderloin.
- Cooking Tips: This recipe is for pork tenderloin, not pork loin, which is a different cut and requires longer cooking. Pork cooked to 145°F is safe to eat and may still have a slight pink center—this is perfectly fine!
- Pan Juices: Use the flavorful juices over mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 270
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 119mg
- Sodium: 534mg
- Sugar: 4g
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