Description
This easy baked pork tenderloin recipe features tender, juicy pork seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices and brown sugar, baked to perfection with butter pats for extra richness. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner that serves 6 to 8 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Pork Tenderloin
- 2 pork tenderloins about 1 pound each
Spice Rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
Additional
- 1/4 cup butter cut into pats
- Chopped parsley optional, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400F and position the oven rack in the middle.
- Prepare Tenderloins: Trim any excess fat and silver skin from the pork tenderloins, then pat them dry thoroughly with a paper towel.
- Mix Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend.
- Coat Pork: Generously coat each tenderloin all over with the prepared spice rub.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the seasoned tenderloins in a 9×13 inch baking dish and evenly distribute the butter pats on top of the pork.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until an internal temperature of 145F is reached as measured with an instant-read thermometer.
- Rest and Slice: Let the pork rest for 5 to 10 minutes to retain juices, then slice into medallions for serving.
- Serve: Pour the pan juices over the pork slices and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. These juices are also excellent over mashed potatoes or other sides.
Notes
- Serves 6 to 8 depending on portion size. Halve all ingredients to make one 1-pound pork tenderloin.
- Do not substitute pork loin for this recipe; it requires longer cooking and is a tougher cut.
- Pork safely cooks at 145F; slight pinkness in the center is normal and safe due to modern farming standards.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure perfect doneness every time.
- This recipe is featured in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
