How to Cook a Pork Tenderloin in the Oven

How to cook a pork tenderloin in the oven is easy to do and produces a moist succulent dinner easy enough for a weeknight dinner and tasty enough for a dinner party.

Pork Tenderloin vs. Pork Loin

Getting the right cut of meat is paramount. These are two entirely different cuts of meat.

A pork tenderloin comes from along the backbone and is a boneless cut about 8 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter. The loin is also a cut of pork from the back but can be boneless or bone-in and is a wider flatter cut of meat.

How to Cook Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Pork has a tendency to be dry since it's a lean cut of meat. In other words, it has very little fat to keep it moist. Using a marinade and a quick roasting method are two ways to make sure you get tender pork in every bite.

This savory cherry sauce doubles as a marinade and a sauce. It's tart with a slightly sweet edge and balanced with red wine and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Pork Tenderloin

• 1 boneless pork loin 2 lbs
• 2 teaspoons salt coarse kosher
• 3 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 fresh rosemary 6-inch piece

Cherry Sauce/Marinade

• 1 cup dried cherries
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 shallot minced
• 1 cup chicken stock
• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• ½ cup aged balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup orange juice
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Make the Cherry Marinade/Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, simmer all marinade ingredients for 10 minutes.  If it reduces down too much, add more chicken stock.  You should have at least 1 ½ cups of marinade.
2. Let the marinade cool and blend in a blender until smooth.

Marinate Pork

1. Rub the tenderloin with salt.
2. Put the salt-rubbed pork and marinade in a zip lock for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

Roast Pork Tenderloin

1. Preheat oven to 475ºF.
2. Put the pork in a roasting pan or baking dish fat side up. Top with thyme and rosemary sprigs.
3. Pour the marinade into a saucepan over medium to high heat and reduce by ½.
4. Pour the marinade over the pork tenderloin.
5. Roast the marinaded covered pork in the oven for 10 minutes at 475℉ uncovered.
6. Turn the temperature down to 350ºF and roast at the lower temperature for 20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should reach 145ºF with an instant-read thermometer.
7. Remove from oven and tent with tin foil for 10 minutes.  
8. Slice thinly and serve.

How to Cook Pork Tenderloin Notes:

Rubbing the pork with salt seasons the meat and helps draw the moisture from the center so every bite is succulent and juicy. If you want extra flavor add 1 teaspoon of both onion powder and garlic powder to the salt rub.

When checking the temperature of the tenderloin, insert a meat thermometer in the center at the thickest part about halfway through the meat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pork Tenderloin

How Long Do I Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Oven?

Cook the tenderloin at a high temperature (at least 400℉) for 10 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 350℉ and continue to roast the meat for 20 minutes per pound.

How Do I Brown Pork Tenderloin Before Cooking It?

Roasting it in the oven at a high temperature browns the meat and locks in flavor.

You can also brown it in a pan on the stove prior to marinating it. If you do, make sure the meat is rubbed with salt and dry. The oil in the pan should be very hot as well before you place the tenderloin in it.

Why do I have to let it rest after cooking?

If you cut into any meat immediately after cooking it, most of its juices will run out of it. Letting the meat rest, for at least 10 minutes, allows the juices to retreat back into the heart of the meat a settle in. This will ensure every piece you cut into will be moist and juicy.

Variations

Pork chops with cherry sauce: Use this same recipe but replace the tenderloin with 4 to 6 pork chops. Season the meat with salt and brown them in a pan on the stove with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then marinate them in the sauce for a least 1 hour. Finish them off in the oven at 350℉ for 20 minutes.

What To Serve With Pork Tenderloin

These are all wonderful sides to serve with pork tenderloin with a savory cherry sauce. Since the cherry sauce has a slightly sweet edge to it, stay away from sweet vegetable sides like baked sweet potatoes or honey-glazed carrots.

• Braised Asparagus and Tomatoes
• Almond Green Beans
• Black Beans and Rice
• Garlic Parmesan Salad
• Garlic Puff Pastry Breadsticks