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.
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.
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
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 9x13-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.

- 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
-
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.
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.
Estimated Nutrition Information: Calories: 275 | Protein: 34g | Carbohydrates: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 380mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g
More Pork Recipe Dinner Ideas
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Instant Pot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Leave a Reply