The 2-Step Process for Cooking Perfect Pork Tenderloin Every Time (No Recipe Required) (2024)

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

updated May 1, 2019

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The 2-Step Process for Cooking Perfect Pork Tenderloin Every Time (No Recipe Required) (1)

Pork tenderloin is really a weeknight all-star. It’s food-budget-friendly, it’s always ready to feed a hungry crowd, and, most importantly, it’s super easy to make. The key is to remember this little two-step process — sear and roast — which results in a piece of meat that’s moist and juicy. Learn the technique and cooking pork tenderloin is suddenly surprisingly simple and always delicious.

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Sear + Roast

This cooking method is a surefire way to make moist and juicy pork tenderloin without much fuss. Searing the meat first gives it that golden-brown crust before a quick roast in the oven finishes it off. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal for any night of the week.

How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in Two Easy Steps

The sear: While your tenderloin rests on the counter to take the chill off of it, start by getting your skillet nice and hot, as that will ensure you’ll get the best possible sear. If you have a cast iron skillet, that’s ideal; otherwise another oven-safe skillet will do. Get the oven preheating at 400°F and place the skillet inside while it comes to temperature. Let it hang out there for about 20 minutes or so, until it’s screaming hot.

Using oven mitts, carefully transfer the skillet to the stovetop and turn the burner on high. Swirl a little vegetable oil in the pan and place the tenderloin in it. Let it sear on one side for one to two minutes, until you’ve got a nice golden crust, then continue to sear the remaining sides for another one to two minutes each until the whole tenderloin is well-seared.

The roast: Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the tenderloin for 10 to 12 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer stuck in the thickest part of the meat reads 145°F. Remove it from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes tented with foil on a cutting board, and serve.

The 2-Step Process for Cooking Perfect Pork Tenderloin Every Time (No Recipe Required) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best method of cooking pork tenderloin? ›

For the best, juiciest pork tenderloin, sear the pork on all sides in a skillet before finishing it in the oven. The spice blend you use is up to you (we love using a this steak seasoning or fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme).

How do you cook two pork tenderloins at the same time? ›

If cooking 2 pork tenderloins, brown them one at a time, then nestle them into the skillet together to bake. TO STORE: Refrigerate pork in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. TO REHEAT: Gently reheat leftovers in a small skillet or in the microwave.

Which cooking method or methods is the pork loin ideally cooked? ›

Generally, pork loin should be cooked at a moderate temperature to ensure even cooking throughout without drying out. Roasting in an oven at around 350°F (175°C) is a common method, allowing the meat to cook thoroughly while retaining its moisture.

Is it better to cook a pork tenderloin at 350 or 400? ›

Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? Cooking a pork loin at 400°F will give a nice crust and cook it faster, reducing the risk of drying out.

Which cooking method is best for tenderloin? ›

One of the easiest methods of cooking Beef Tenderloin is in the oven. With minimal prep and our easy-to-follow guidelines, you'll present a juicy and tasty roast to guests in no time. For best results, make sure the Tenderloin roast is completely thawed.

What is the secret to tender pork loin? ›

Once the pork loin roast reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer, remove it from the oven, and let it rest on a cutting board for 20 minutes. This gives the meat time to reabsorb all its juices. You can also brine the pork before you cook it, which ensures the meat stays tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.

Is it better to sear pork tenderloin before baking? ›

Sear + Roast

This cooking method is a surefire way to make moist and juicy pork tenderloin without much fuss. Searing the meat first gives it that golden-brown crust before a quick roast in the oven finishes it off. It's an easy, crowd-pleasing meal for any night of the week.

Is it better to cook pork tenderloin fast or slow? ›

The size and structure of a tenderloin make it perfect for cooking quickly on high heat. You want to be able to brown the outside while still keeping it a little pink on the inside.

Do you put fat up or fat down on pork tenderloin? ›

Step 4: Place your pork, fat side up, in your prepared pan. Step 5: Add oiled/seasoned vegetables around your pork loin to make it a complete meal. Use vegetables that require longer cook times like potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and carrots. Step 6: Roast in a 400 F oven for 15 minutes.

What are the two types of cooking methods for pork meat? ›

Ground pork, like all ground meats, should still be cooked to 160 F. There are two basic methods for cooking meats: dry heat and moist heat. Generally, dry-heat methods are best applied to naturally tender cuts of meat. Moist-heat methods tenderize less-tender cuts.

How do you cook pork loin so it isn't dry? ›

Grilling
  1. First, use a high-heat area to quickly brown the meat on all sides. ...
  2. Next, move the loin to a low-heat area of the grill and cover it with foil.
  3. Now, you can roast the pork using indirect cooking for approximately one to one and a half hours, or about 20 minutes per pound of meat.
Oct 3, 2023

What is the pork rule in cooking? ›

As a rule of thumb, for pork well done is 77°C, medium 71°C and medium-rare 63 °C. A pork loin cooked to 'medium' might look a little bit pink in the middle, but that's perfectly all right. In fact, it's great. Some intrepid souls, in search of ever more tenderness and juiciness, might even daret o go a little lower.

How long to cook pork tenderloin in oven at 350 without? ›

How long to cook pork tenderloin in oven at 350°F: Placed in a baking dish and cooked uncovered, a pork tenderloin will take around 20-27 minutes at 350°F.

What temp do chefs cook pork tenderloin? ›

Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor. Ground pork should always be cooked to 160° F.

How long do you bake pork tenderloin at 400 degrees? ›

Bring up the sides of the foil to completely enclose each tenderloin (see photos in post). Bake at 400 degrees F until pork registers between 145- and 150-degrees F (63 and 65 degrees C) at the thickest part of the tenderloin, 15-25 minutes depending on thickness.

Is it better to cook pork tenderloin covered or uncovered? ›

Since pork loin is a larger cut of meat, it will need a longer cook time in the oven. I would still wrap it in foil to prevent the outside from getting too brown and it would need to cook in the oven for 60-75 minutes at 400 degrees F until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.

Is pork tenderloin better in the oven or on the grill? ›

Food52: Which cooking method gets the most flavor out of pork loin? CG: You get flavors from grilling that you don't get from roasting. Smokiness, first and foremost. Direct cooking gives a distinct char, and that char adds a lot of taste.

How do you keep pork tenderloin from drying out? ›

Brine the pork to maintain moisture by soaking it in a mixture of salt and water, baking soda, vinegar or even milk. You can also pour hot water over the loin to shrink the rind, which can enable better absorption of brine, milk, oil or marinade.

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