I know what you’re thinking. “Why do I have to cook pork tenderloin in the oven at that temperature?” It’s a question I’ll be happy to answer. Pork tenderloin is a superb option for a sumptuous dinner that will make you retire for the night with a smile if you cook it right. I’m digressing; back to your question. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I have to say that you can’t afford to overcook or undercook pork tenderloin. Of course, you want to prepare pork tenderloin that blesses your taste buds. However, to achieve that, you have to know how long to cook your pork tenderloin and the perfect temperature.
To answer your other question, which is also the main gist of this content, your baked pork tenderloin should be cooked in the oven at 176 degrees Celsius (350 degrees F) for a period ranging between 27 and 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can cook it till the baked pork tenderloin has a temperature of 63 degrees Celsius.
Juicy Baked Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Who wants a superstar recipe for their pork tenderloins? I have one that you can use to make magic in your kitchen. It’s a very short list:
- A pound of 1 pork tenderloin
- Salt and pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
- A herb or spice of your choice (rosemary, garlic powder, thyme, etc.)
Making a sauce for a pork tenderloin- Seasoning It.
To make your pork tenderloin delicious and tender, you have to season it properly and marinate it before cooking it.
- Firstly, pat your pork tenderloin dry with a paper towel to get rid of any leftover blood.
- Mix your seasonings together.
- Marinate the pork tenderloin in that mix.
- Give the meat a spice rub to get it in the flesh.
Cooking Tender Pork Tenderloin in the Oven – Step-By-Step Guide
This is the fun part. It’s a simple process. All you have to do is follow it step by step.
- Switch on your oven.
- Let it reach a temperature of 176 degrees Celsius.
- At this point, you must have seasoned your pork tenderloin with the seasoning mix.
- Pour the recommended quantity of olive oil into your cast-iron skillet. I recommend a large skillet that can be used in the oven safely. If you don’t have a skillet, don’t sweat it. A baking dish will do just fine.
- Once your oil is heated, transfer your pork tenderloin to it. Pan-sear it on all sides for about 3 minutes for each side or till it’s browned.
- Now, put the skillet with the meat in the oven and let it cook for roughly 30 minutes or till the internal temperature is 63 degrees Celsius. You can check your roasted pork tenderloin using a meat thermometer to be sure.
- Once it’s ready, take it out of the oven and let the pork rest for at least 5 minutes. The reason is to let the pan juices move around, tenderizing the meat in the process.
- After 5-10 minutes, slice your easy-baked pork tenderloin into pork chops and serve with vegetable toppings or anything you prefer. Bon appetit!
Pork Tenderloin vs. Pork Loin
You thought you were the same? I thought so too. But guess what? They’re different cuts of meat. For the benefit of those who don’t know the difference, I’ll briefly explain. The pork tenderloin is that boneless piece of meat sourced from the muscle that runs along the pig’s backbone. It’s long and narrow in form.
On the other hand, the pork loin comes from the back of the pig and can be boneless or with bone. In contrast to the tenderloin, the pork loin is flatter and wider in form. Just like pork tenderloin, air-fried or roasted pork loin depends on your preferred cooking method. If you like pork tenderloin then you’re going to love our recipe for delicious home made pork chops.
Pork Tenderloin Cooking Temp
Though I’ve mentioned this before, it can’t be overemphasized that the ideal cooking temperature for cooking pork tenderloin is 63 degrees Celsius. This is the standard according to USDA. The reason it’s important for you to stick to this temperature when cooking is for health purposes. If your pork is undercooked, it won’t be safe to eat because the microorganisms present in the meat won’t be neutralized. This means that consuming undercooked meat is a straight invitation of these harmful organisms into your body system.
Point to note: To properly use the meat thermometer, stick it in the thickest part of the pork tenderloins. If that part reaches the desired internal temperature, your meat is ready to be removed from the heat. Also, if you’re someone who loves pork as much as I do, then you’ll want to know the best way to reheat pork after you’ve cooked it.
Reheating Pork Tenderloin
Even if you intend to serve leftover pork, they can still make a great meal. There are multiple ways to reheat your pork tenderloin:
- Microwaving: Alright, let’s get to microwave your meat! Grab a dish that’s safe for the microwave, preferably in ceramic (we don’t want any meltdowns!). Pop your meat inside, cover it up with a damp towel, and slide it into the microwave. Now, crank it up to high power and let it go for 30-second intervals, around 2 minutes in total. That’s when your meat will be heated to perfection!
- Baking in the Oven: Now, we’re talking about some real slow-cooking business. Fire up your oven and wait for it to reach that sweet spot of 350 degrees F (or 176 degrees Celsius). Grab a baking dish and nestle your pork tenderloin nice and snug. Cover it up with some foil to keep the flavors locked in. Slide that dish with the meaty goodness into the oven and let it work its magic for about 15 minutes. Once time’s up, get ready to enjoy your perfectly baked tenderloin.
- Using a stovetop: Time to work on those skillet skills! Grab a large skillet and pour in some oil. Get that bad boy nice and heat over medium heat. Once the oil sizzles and dances around, it’s showtime for your meat. Toss that meat into the skillet, and let each side cook for a solid 7 minutes. Flip it, watch it sizzle, and you’re on your way to a scrumptious meal.
Hacks For Cooking Pork Tenderloin
If you want to cook the best pork tenderloin, there are certain helpful tips that you should keep in mind:
Remove The Silver Skin
It’s important to do this before cooking the pork tenderloin. The silver skin is the sinew layer of the meat’s exterior. Cooking the pork tenderloin with the silver skin on is not advisable because it doesn’t get tender. To remove the silver skin, get a sharp knife, put it beneath the sinew, and slowly cut it off. Be careful while doing this so that you don’t remove a significant amount of meat in the process.
Immerse The Pork Tenderloin In Brine
If you want to enhance or boost the flavor of your pork tenderloin, mix four cups of water with the same amount of tablespoons of kosher salt. Now, sink your meat in this solution, preferably in a ziplock bag or a large bowl. Put it in your fridge and leave it for at least 30 minutes. However, you can leave the meat immersed for as long as 2 hours. This will make your meat juicier. After the time has passed, take out the meat and pat it dry. Then, throw the brine solution away.
Frequently Asked Questions – Faqs
What Food Can I Serve With Baked Pork Tenderloin?
You can serve your baked pork tenderloin with a lot of things. It all comes down to your preference. Once your meat reaches a temperature of 145 degrees F, you can serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, cabbage, casserole, or brussels sprouts.
How Long Does It Take To Bake Pork Loin?
Here’s the deal: to cook your meat just right, you must hit that sweet spot of 30 minutes on medium-high heat at a toasty oven temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 176 degrees Celsius, if you’re into the metric system). Trust me, anything less, and it’s gonna be undercooked. But! If you let it go for too long, you’ll end up with some dry and overcooked pork. And we definitely don’t want that, do we? So, keep an eye on that timer, and remember, perfection lies within those 30 minutes.
How Long To Cook Pork Loin?
First, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and cook the pork loin in it for 30-35 minutes per kg. After that, take out the roasting pan from the oven, and let the pork loin roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Does Pork Tenderloin Need To Rest After Cooking?
Yes, you need to let your meat rest for 5-10 minutes when you bring it down from the heat. Why? You need to let the meat fibers enough time to relax and take in the juices again. When the meat is hot, these fibers will contract, and cutting the meat into pork chops at this point will just transfer those juices onto your cutting board.
Does The Consumption Of Pork Tenderloin Have Any Health Benefits?
Plenty. Pork tenderloin is a great source of thiamin, protein, niacin, vitamin B6, and phosphorus. This meat also contains monounsaturated fat, potassium, saturated fat, zinc, and riboflavin.
Can Pork Tenderloin Get Tender?
Of course, when your pork tenderloin is properly pan-seared and roasted or baked at the right temperature and within the ideal cooking time, it will have the right degree of tenderness. This will give it a good feel in your mouth and make it a pleasant addition to the dinner table.
Is It Good To Eat Pork Tenderloin Daily?
For sure. If you can, you should. As I mentioned earlier, pork tenderloin has immense health benefits and is packed with loads of minerals and nutrients. Eating lean pork daily promotes the development of healthy blood cells and provides choline, a vital mineral for developing babies in expectant mothers. This makes it a healthy addition to your daily diet.
Where Is The Pork Tenderloin Located?
Naturally, you’ll wonder what part of the pig the pork tenderloin comes from if you haven’t heard of it before. This piece of meat comes from the muscle that runs alongside the backbone of the pig.
How Can I Prevent Pork Tenderloin From Drying Out?
The simple answer will be – by not overcooking it. To avoid this, make sure you set the dial of the oven to the right temperature setting and let it cook within the recommended duration, which I’ve already mentioned earlier. If the dial is set to a temperature that’s slightly above the recommended range, make up for it by shortening the cooking duration by a few minutes. If all these seem complicated, the simple hack to this is checking if the internal temperature of the meat is 63 degrees Celsius before removing it from the oven.
Can Pork Tenderloin Go Bad In The Freezer?
Yes, it can if you store it too long. Now, how long is too long? If your pork is in the freezer for more than a year, especially if it isn’t stored properly, it will go bad in the freezer. The meat will remain in its best state if it’s frozen, thawed, and cooked within a period of 3 months. The maximum period should be a year.
Bonus tip: ensure you store it properly by keeping the pork in a waterproof, airtight bag.
Does Pork Tenderloin Have A Good Taste?
When cooked properly, pork tenderloin will have a taste you can’t get enough of. To get the best pork, give it a dry rub or marinate it with basic or Italian seasoning before cooking it. The beauty of this is you don’t even need to go overboard with the ingredients. Even a combo of black pepper and salt is enough to supercharge your pork juices and enhance its flavor.
What’s The Best Way To Defrost Pork?
The best way to defrost your pork tenderloin is via the microwave because it’s quicker and more convenient than the others. If you don’t have a microwave, no worries! You can fill a large bowl with room-temperature water and put your meat inside. Alternatively, you can remove it from the freezer and put it in the refrigerator. Check out our handy guide on how to defrost steak and other meats like a pro.
Conclusion
Pork tenderloin is one meal you can’t forget in a hurry, even if you tried. To prepare a pork tenderloin that will result in happy faces and bellies, ensure you cook it within the right duration at the right temperature. Before that, don’t forget to season your meat with a good recipe and even marinate it to make it juicier. One more thing, don’t cook your pork tenderloin with the silver skin on. I hope you take note of all these hacks and make your pork the 8th wonder of the world. Till next time!
