Pork tenderloin is a lean, tender cut of meat that’s perfect for baking. With a simple prep and bake, you can have a delicious meal on the table in under an hour. When baked at 350°F, pork tenderloin comes out juicy, flavorful and cooked to safe internal temperatures.
Ingredients
To bake pork tenderloin, you’ll need
- 1-2 lb pork tenderloin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Herbs or spices (optional)
Prep the Pork
Start by taking the pork tenderloin out of the packaging and trimming off any excess fat or silver skin. Rinse the pork under cool water and pat dry completely with paper towels.
Season the pork all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder and any other herbs or spices you want to use. The seasonings will give the pork great flavor as it bakes. Rub the seasonings all over so they adhere evenly.
Drizzle the olive oil over the seasoned pork Use your hands to coat the entire surface with oil. This will help brown the outside and keep the meat moist as it cooks
Baking Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup
Place the seasoned pork tenderloin on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 145-160°F.
Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature starting at 25 minutes. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, taking care not to hit any bones.
Once the pork reaches an internal temp of 145°F for medium rare or 160°F for well done, remove it from the oven.
Smaller tenderloins on the 1 lb side may be done closer to 25 minutes. Larger tenderloins nearing 2 lbs may need the full 35 minutes to reach safe internal temperatures.
Let the baked pork rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Serving Suggestions
Baked pork tenderloin is very versatile. Here are some serving ideas:
- Slice and serve with roasted vegetables and potatoes
- Cut into slices for sandwiches or wraps
- Dice and add to pasta, rice bowls or salads
- Pair with a salad and buttered bread for a simple meal
- Top with chimichurri or parsley sauce
Seasoning and Marinating Tips
Seasoning and marinating are easy ways to add lots of flavor to pork tenderloin before baking.
Seasoning Ideas:
- Lemon pepper, garlic powder, oregano
- Rosemary, thyme, sage
- Chili powder, cumin, paprika
- Jerk seasoning or dry rub
Marinades:
- Soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger
- Orange juice, olive oil, garlic
- Wine or vinegar marinades
- Teriyaki or hoisin sauce
Marinate the pork for 1-24 hours for the most flavor infusion.
Complementary Side Dishes
Pair baked pork tenderloin with these tasty sides:
- Parmesan roasted potatoes
- Sauteed green beans
- Couscous or quinoa
- Roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips
- Sauteed spinach with garlic
- Garlic mashed cauliflower
The sides should provide color, texture and flavors that complement the baked pork.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Properly stored, leftover baked pork tenderloin will keep 3-4 days refrigerated.
To Store:
- Allow baked pork to cool slightly, then refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Use leftovers within 3-4 days for best quality.
To Reheat:
- Preheat oven to 325°F and bake leftover pork until warmed through, 15-20 minutes.
- Saute in a skillet over medium-high heat just until heated through.
Reheated pork tenderloin also works great in stir fries, sandwiches, pasta dishes and more.
Mastering Pork Tenderloin
With these simple tips, you can master baking pork tenderloin at 350°F for tender, juicy results every time.
- Allow 1-2 lbs pork tenderloin per 3-4 servings
- Prep pork with oil, seasoning
- Bake at 350°F for 25-35 minutes
- Cook to 145-160°F internal temperature
- Let rest before slicing
- Store leftovers for 3-4 days
Next time you’re looking for a fast, easy and delicious baked meat, turn to pork tenderloin! In under an hour you can have a beautiful tenderloin ready to serve.
What should Pork Tenderloin look like when done?
When a thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of your oven-baked pork tenderloin and reads 145 degrees F, it is safe to eat. This means it will be slightly pink inside which is OKAY.
The old standards said the pork should be 160 degrees F, which means it should be 145 degrees F. At that temperature, the pork would be fully cooked through with no pink spots. It turns out that cooking pork to 145 degrees F is just as safe as cooking it to 160 degrees F AND makes the pork much more tender.
This is what your pork will look like with the allotted 5-minute resting time:
- The pork should be taken out at 145 F; it will rise to 150 F. The slices should be pink and moist.
- When you take the pork out at 150 F, it will rise to 155 F, and the slices will be a little pink and moist.
- When you take the pork out of the oven at 160 F, it will rise to 165 F. The slices won’t be pink, but they should still be pretty moist.
What to serve with Pork Tenderloin
This recipe for Baked Pork Tenderloin goes well with almost everything! My favorite sides to serve it with are my Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese and Brown Butter Asparagus with any of the following:
EASY Pork Tenderloin In Oven Recipe – So Simple, So TASTY!
FAQ
How long does it take to cook pork tenderloin at 350 in the oven?
Is it better to cook a pork tenderloin at 350 or 400?
How do you cook a pork tenderloin without drying out?
How to cook pork tenderloin in oven?
Before you start anything else, make sure your oven is preheating to 450°F degrees. Since the pork tenderloin only roasts for about 10 minutes, the temperature is high and hot! Once the oven is on, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, dried sage, salt, and paprika in a small bowl.
What temperature should a pork tenderloin be?
We want the pork tenderloin to have an internal temperature of 145° (F). An instant read thermometer is an essential tool everyone should have on hand. 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.
How long do you cook pork tenderloin in a pan?
Bake the pork for 20-25 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into ¼ -inch thick rounds. Pour the pan juices over the pork tenderloin slices and serve with a little minced parsley, for color.
How do you cook leftover pork tenderloin?
Oven method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover pork tenderloin on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Cover loosely with foil and bake for about 15 minutes or until heated through. Stovetop method: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil or butter.