Name: Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 1-pound Pork Tenderloins; 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil; ½ teaspoon Black Pepper; 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter; 1 large Clove Garlic ((pressed or minced)); 1 packet Italian Salad Dressing Mix; 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice

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Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin is a juicy, flavorful main dish that’s quick enough for busy weeknights but delicious enough to serve to guests. This simple recipe uses Italian seasoning, garlic, and butter to create a savory pan sauce that pairs perfectly with the tender, oven-roasted pork.

2 Pork Tenderloins sliced in a skillet with spoon drizzling sauce on them.

Baked Pork Roast

This Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin recipe is a quick and flavorful way to make juicy, oven-roasted pork the whole family will love. Pork tenderloin is one of those underrated proteins that’s easy and quick to cook. There are many ways to flavor it!

It’s a great weeknight dinner recipe that’s ready in under an hour! This recipe goes well with my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Air Fried Baby Potatoes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast and Easy: Ready in about 45 minutes with minimal prep.
• Tender and Juicy: Proper cook time keeps it tender. Butter, garlic, and a quick sear lock in flavor.
• Versatile: Switch up the seasonings to whatever you like.
• Family-Friendly: Mild, savory flavor that even picky eaters will enjoy.

closeup of Pork Tenderloin slices

Pork tenderloin is essentially another white meat, and is a great alternative to chicken when you want something different but still lean and easy to prepare.

My baked pork tenderloin recipe is perfect to cook when you need a dinner that feels a little special without too much effort. We’re busy!

Try this pork dinner recipe with my Easy Sautéed Green Beans or a Blueberry Spinach Salad

Ingredients in This Easy Roast Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Easy Baked Pork Tenderloins ingredients shot on board
Pork Tenderloins – Not Pork Loin Roast (those are much different)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Black Pepper, Unsalted Butter, Minced Garlic, Italian Salad Dressing Mix
Optional: Fresh Lemon Juice (adds a bright finish to the sauce)

Variations of Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin

Herb-crusted: Add chopped rosemary or thyme to the seasoning mix.
Spicy: Sprinkle on some crushed red pepper flakes.
Honey Garlic Glaze: Drizzle with a mix of honey and garlic during the last 5 minutes of baking for a sweet-savory finish.
Seasoning Blend: Use any pre-made seasoning blend that you enjoy, instead of the Italian dressing packet.

How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Oven

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Season pork with black pepper.
Sear:
• In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and add the pork to the pan.

• Sear pork on all sides until golden brown.
• Add butter and garlic. Stir.

• Sprinkle Italian dressing mix over all sides of the pork.
• Cover skillet with lid and transfer to oven.

Bake:
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F in the thickest part of the meat.
Rest:
• Transfer pork to a plate, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes.

Finish:
• Taste pan juices, add lemon juice if using, and adjust seasoning.
• Slice pork crosswise into medallions and drizzle with the pan sauce. Serve with your favorite side dish.

Optional No-Sear Method

• Season pork with pepper, Italian dressing mix, and garlic powder (instead of fresh garlic).
• Place in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with 3 tablespoons butter cut into thin slices.
• Bake uncovered at 400°F for about 25 minutes, or until it reaches 145°F.

Helpful Tips

• Use an instant-read digital meat thermometer – Pork tenderloin varies in thickness and shape. Go by the temperature, not the color. Cook to 145°F and rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• Don’t worry if it’s a little pink – That’s totally normal for tenderloin at the correct temp.
• Double the sauce – Add a splash of chicken broth to the skillet before baking if you want extra pan sauce.

FAQ

What people are asking about Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin:

Can I use pork loin roast instead of tenderloin?
No, pork loin is a different cut, larger and denser, so it will require a longer cooking time and different temperature.
How do I keep pork tenderloin from drying out?
Don’t overcook it! Always use a meat thermometer and pull it from the oven as soon as it hits 145°F.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes you can, simply sear and season the pork, refrigerate it (covered), then bake it just before serving.

What to Serve With Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin

• Rice Pilaf
• Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad
• Creamy Mac and Cheese
• Roasted Carrots or Broccoli

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Wrap cooled pork tightly in plastic and foil, or a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat wrapped in foil in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through.

If you make this delicious Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin recipe, let me know! Just leave a comment below with a star rating. I’d love to know how you liked it.

Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin

By Sandy Clifton

Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin is tender, delicious, and seasoned simply. A flexible dinner recipe you can make in about 45 minutes.

Prep: 5

Cook: 25

Resting Time: 5

Total: 35

Servings:

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Equipment

Oven Safe Skillet with Lid or 9x13-inch Baking Dish

Ingredients

▢ 2 1-pound Pork Tenderloins
▢ 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
▢ ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
▢ 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
▢ 1 large Clove Garlic (pressed or minced)
▢ 1 packet Italian Salad Dressing Mix

Optional

▢ 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Season the pork with the black pepper.
Heat a large oven safe skillet on medium-high, then add the olive oil and the pork tenderloins.
Sear the pork on all sides, just long enough to get some color.
Turn down the heat and add the butter and garlic. stir.
Sprinkle the Italian dressing mix over all sides of the tenderloins.
Place the lid on the skillet and bake the for about 20-25 minutes, or until the pork reaches 145°F internal temperature in the largest, thickest part of the tenderloins. When the pork has reached temperature, remove to a plate, tent with foil, and let rest for at about 5 minutes.
Taste the pan juices and adjust seasoning, if desired. Add the lemon juice, if using.
Slice the meat against the grain (crossways) into medallions and serve with some of the pan sauce over it.

Notes

No-Sear Method

If you don’t want to sear the pork first:

Season it with the black pepper, Italian dressing packet, and use garlic powder instead of the clove.
Increase the butter to 3 tablespoons, then place thinly sliced butter pats on top of the meat.
Bake at 400°F in a 9x13-inch pan (uncovered, so the meat gets some color) about the same time as directed ~25 minutes (depending on size of tenderloins).

Don’t Overcook the Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin weights - sizes - shapes vary quite a bit. Therefore it is important to use a digital meat thermometer to determine when the pork is fully cooked.
Pork tenderloin often looks pink in middle, even when fully cooked. Go by the temperature, not the color.
145°F internal temperature is when pork tenderloin is fully cooked.

Storage

Refrigerate: Place in an airtight container and keep in fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Place in a freezer baggie or wrap in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: If frozen, let thaw overnight in the fridge, then heat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F, wrapped in foil, until hot.