Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin is fabulous enough for Sunday Super but this quick baked pork recipe can easily be made on a weeknight!
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Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin has long been a favorite recipe of mine. Pork tenderloin in general is just such a delicious cut of meat to cook. Pork chops are good, but they've got nothing on juicy delicious tenderloin!
With flavorful Cowboy Butter (garlic butter), this pork tenderloin recipe is so tender and so juicy.
Our Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin recipe has been incredibly popular with readers, so I wanted to share another recipe that I think you'll also love. And if you prefer a slow cooker recipe, try my Slow Cooker Roast Pork with Apples.
Because this is a quick recipe, Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin makes a scrumptious meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
This is meant to be a brief overview of the recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredient measurements, please scroll down to the teal box below.
- Pork Tenderloin: I don't like to use pork that's been injected with a salt and water solution so I avoid packages that are labeled as such. Look for pork that's reddish-pink in color. The pork may have a bit of marbling (bits of fat) throughout and may or may not have silver skin on it (which you should trim off before cooking).
- Garlic Powder: Adds garlicky flavor without burning. If you like spice, add a little bit of chili powder also.
- Fresh Thyme: I love the combination of thyme and pork. You can use other fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, or parsley if you prefer.
- Olive Oil: Any mild neutral oil works great in this recipe.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Complements the rest of the ingredients.
- Cowboy Butter: You don't have to use this to finish the dish, but it's where most of the flavor comes into play. It also adds moisture ensuring your pork is juicy.
Alternatively, try one of our other yummy compound butter recipes. If you're not going to use flavored butter, I suggest using more seasoning like Italian seasoning, Mediterranean seasoning, lemon homemade pepper, magic dust spice rub, or even Montreal chicken seasoning to add additional flavor.
Baking Pork Tenderloin
Oven-roasted pork tenderloin doesn't have to just be a Sunday Supper kind of meal, you can actually have it on the table fairly quickly! Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat that's tender and juicy and perfect for 30 minute meals.
While your pork tenderloin is searing, make a batch of Cowboy Butter.
Cowboy Butter with garlic, lemon, parsley and a pinch of red pepper flake makes this oven roasted pork tenderloin extra special.
This is one of our most popular recipes, and it adds so much incredible flavor! This will be used to finish off the oven baked pork tenderloin just before serving.
"Pork tenderloin is just as lean as boneless, skinless chicken breast."
National Pork Board
Ang's Tips
- Gently pat the pork tenderloin dry with a paper towel before starting.
- DO NOT cover the pork tenderloin while it is baking.
- DO use tinfoil to make a "tent" and allow the pork tenderloin to rest 5-8 minutes before cutting. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Note: If you have boneless pork loin on hand, you can use this same method; however, cooking pork loin takes longer than tenderloin because it's a thicker cut of pork.
How do I know when pork tenderloin is done?
The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature and remove it from the oven at 145 degrees F. Make sure you insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat.
How to Roast Vegetables with Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin
To make an easy meal perfect for a busy weeknight I cut potatoes and carrots into 1-2 inch pieces and cook them right on the tray with the pork tenderloin. Prepare the veggies while you are searing the pork tenderloin. Here's how:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Spray a sheet pan with cooking oil.
- Peel 4 large cloves of garlic and add them to the tray.
- Add the vegetables to the tray and season with granulated garlic, fresh thyme leaves, salt and pepper.
- Place the tray in the oven while you finish searing the pork.
- When the pork is ready for the oven, place it in the center of the tray.
- Bake for another 18-20 minutes until the pork is done, then remove it to a serving dish or cutting board to rest.
- If needed, return the sheet pan to the oven to finish cooking the vegetables until tender.
Serving Suggestions
Pork goes so well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Honey Glazed Baby Carrots or steamed broccoli drizzled with our Lemon Vinaigrette are easy and delicious sides.
- Since you're already making cowboy butter, make these Garlic Green Beans!
- These Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes are a delicious side dish also. Or, if you're watching your carbs, try it with Frozen Roasted Cauliflower.
- For a really decadent treat, serve with our almost-famous cowboy butter dipping sauce.
Related: Find ideas on What to Serve with Pork Tenderloin
Storage
To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: The best way to reheat pork tenderloin without drying it out is to place it into a baking dish and brush it with a little bit of butter or chicken broth. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 325F for 20-25 minutes until heated throughout. A whole tenderloin will take longer than slices.
You can also use leftovers to make this delicious pork casserole with noodles!
Similar Recipes
If you love cooking pork for quick weeknight meals, you'll love our grilled pork tenderloin! Next time, try one of these delicious pork recipes:
Not ready to make Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin?
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Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
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Ingredients
- 1 lbs pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- Fresh Thyme
- salt and black pepper to taste
- Cowboy Butter for serving, optional
Instructions
- Remove any silver skin.
- Season the pork tenderloin with granulated garlic, fresh thyme leaves, salt and pepper.1 lbs pork tenderloin, 1 teaspoons garlic powder, Fresh Thyme, salt and black pepper to taste
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet on high heat.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sear the pork tenderloin on all sides.
- Remove the pork from the skillet and place it into the center of the sheet pan.
- Cook the pork at 400-degrees F for 18-20 minutes until the internal temperature is 145-degrees F.
- Place 2-3 slices of Cowboy Butter on the top of the roast while it rests (optional).Cowboy Butter
- Cover the oven roasted pork tenderloin with tinfoil and allow it to rest 3-8 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
- Preheat the oven to 400-degrees F.
- Spray a sheet pan with cooking oil.
- Peel 4 large cloves of garlic and add them to the tray.
- Add the vegetables to the tray and season with granulated garlic, fresh thyme leaves, salt and pepper.
- Place the tray in the oven while you finish searing the pork.
- When the pork is ready for the oven, place it in the center of the tray.
- Bake for another 18-20 minutes until the pork is done, then remove it to a serving dish or cutting board to rest.
- If needed, return the sheet pan to the oven to finish cooking the vegetables until tender.
Nutrition
Meal Planning
Want to add this recipe to your meal plan? Download our free printable meal plan here.
This recipe is included in Meal Plan 27 along with:
- loaded potato salad
- BBQ chicken tacos
- steakhouse pasta
- taco stuffed shells
- sausage Broccolini Pasta
- s'mores cupcakes
... and more!
👉 Be sure to check out all our meal plan ideas here.
Use my Menu Planner and Grocery List Printable Set to plan out your meals to save yourself time and money.
Chili Lime Chicken Tacos is another great recipe to include on your meal plan. Then there's my Shredded Beef Enchilada Casserole - so good! Finally, my mom's Chicken Pot Pie recipe is fabulous for Sunday supper, so be sure to add that to your list of recipes to try!
hassan says
Love this recipe
Ang Paris says
Thank you so much!
Ellen says
Pork tenderloin is a favorite in my house and I'm always on the lookout for new recipes. This looks delicious!
Colleen says
You had me at Cowboy Butter! Seriously drooling looking at this recipe!!!
Ang Paris says
Hi Colleen! Cowboy Butter is so amazing, and perfect for this pork 🙂
Hope you get a chance to make it soon!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
We love love pork tenderloin so I tired this recipe. It came out so perfectly and flavorful!
Ang Paris says
Thanks so much for your sweet comment 🙂
Karen says
What a delicious looking tenderloin. That butter! Oh my heavens!
Ang Paris says
Thanks Karen!! I hope you get a chance to try it soon 🙂
Ang Paris says
YAY! Thanks so much for letting me know Elise 🙂 Your sweet comment made my day!
Marcia says
Excellent recipe, I love the way that this turned out. I didn't have fresh thyme so I used dried instead.
I added potatoes, carrots, and parsnips to the sheet pan.
Ang Paris says
Thank you, Marcia! I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Cody says
I am impressed with this recipe, it's really delicious. I will be making this again for sure.
Pam Diggs says
Very simple recipe and very delicious! We loved it!
Ang Paris says
Thanks for your sweet comment Pam!
Holly M says
Love this recipe! It's my GO-TO for pork tenderloin because it's SO easy!! I make it with potatoes and carrots, too. Sometimes I add other things like beets or sweet potatoes depending on what I have on hand. Thank you!
Eileen says
This is such a delicious pork roast. super tender and juicy every time. My family loves this recipe. The cowboy butter is a must to add to the pork roast.