We love Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin and this recipe is sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters. Juicy, tender, and flavorful with a quick spice rub that cooks in 35 minutes!
We like to eat pork tenderloin in our house and I am always looking for different ways to dress it up. This is by far one of the easiest pork recipes I have done and it is packed with flavor!
It came out super moist and very tasty! I think your family will enjoy bacon wrapped pork tenderloin as much as we do.
I made this for supper tonight and it turned out so delicious. I used my Jamaican jerk rub from pampered chef instead of your rub recipe. But I did follow your recipe with everything else. I had to bake it for 50 minutes and it was so delicious and moist and it had the best flavor ever. My husband said it was the best ever! Thanks for sharing
-Penny R
Ingredients
- Pork Tenderloin – make sure the package specifically says “tenderloin,” not pork loin, loin filet, or pork roast — those are different cuts and need different cook times. Tenderloins are often sold two to a package, at about ¾ to 1 ½ pounds each.
- Olive Oil – Choose oil of your choice
- Paprika – See The Best Paprika Substitutes
- Italian Seasoning – See How to Make Italian Seasoning Recipe
- Lemon – See Best Substitute for Lemon Juice
- Butter – We used unsalted butter
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Oven with Foil
Step 1 – Place each pork tenderloin in the center of a piece of foil. Rub the olive oil on the pork tenderloins. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture on each pork tenderloin and top with the lemon juice. The top with butter.
Step 2 – Cover the pork with the foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Step 3 – Then open the foil packets. Broil for 3-4 minutes to brown the pork slightly.
Step 4 – Then slice, serve and enjoy.
What to Serve with Baked Pork Tenderloin
This easy baked pork tenderloin pretty much goes with anything. Here are a few of my favorite side dishes to serve with this pork recipe.
This pork also goes great with a large salad or a veggie for a light and healthy dinner. Here are a few of my favorite vegetable recipes that would go great with this pork tenderloin.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are cooking at 350, cook the pork tenderloin for 27-35 minutes, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
I have been making pork for a long time now and I have found that you will need a meat thermometer to know when the pork is ready.
The internal temperature should be 145 degrees F. You do not want the temperature to be much higher than that as it will dry out the pork.
I love this instant read thermometer. I do not like dried out pork, so I recommend using the lower end of the cook time on this recipe. Then check the pork temperature.
If it’s not at the safe cooking temperature, then continue to cook it until the safe temperature has been reached. Watch the pork closely as it cooks to make sure that it doesn’t dry out.
Pork tenderloin and pork loin are 2 different cuts of meat.
A pork tenderloin is a thinner, boneless and longer cut of meat that comes from the muscle around the backbone.
A pork loin is a larger cut of meat. It can come boneless or bone-in. It looks more like a roast and comes from the back of the animal.
Since these are 2 different cuts of meats, the cook time is different for each one. In this recipe, I use a pork tenderloin.
Refrigerate any leftover pork in an air tight container for up to 3-4 days. Add more butter, chicken broth or olive oil to the pork when reheating it to prevent it from drying out.
You can also freeze leftover pork for up to 3-4 months. Defrost it out overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature and then reheat.
More Easy Pork Recipes
Baked Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 pound pork tenderloin
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 Lemon (juiced)
- 4 Tbsp butter
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the 2 pound pork tenderloin in the center of a large piece of foil on a baking sheet.
- Rub 1 tablespoon olive oil evenly over the pork tenderloin.
- In a small bowl, combine ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the pork tenderloin and drizzle the juice from 1 lemon over the top.
- Cut 4 tablespoons butter into slices and place the slices on top of the pork tenderloin.
- Wrap the foil around the pork to seal it and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Carefully open the foil and broil for 3–4 minutes to lightly brown the top.
- Slice the pork tenderloin and serve. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Variations Ideas
- For the Oil – Any cooking oil that you prefer will work in this recipe.
- For the Seasonings – I love the combination of the paprika, Italian seasoning and lemon in this recipe. But you can easily switch it out for your favorites. Oregano, thyme and basil would all be delicious on the baked pork tenderloin.
- For the Butter – The butter is very important in this recipe as it makes the pork moist and tender. I do not recommend leaving it out. But if you must, then I recommend adding more oil to keep the pork moist.
- Add Garlic – If you love garlic, you can easily add 1 tsp of minced garlic or ½ tsp of garlic powder or garlic salt to add a slightly garlic flavor to this recipe.
- For the Citrus — try lime or orange juice instead of lemon, or a mix of all three, for a different citrus profile each time you make it.
Recipe Tips
- Foil – We use heavy duty foil to wrap the pork tenderloins so that the foil does not easily rip. I find that wrapping the pork helps it not to dry out and makes clean up very easy too.
- Baking Pan – Since we wrapped the pork first, we cook it on a baking pan but you can cook it in a roasting pan as well.
- Searing Pork Tenderloin – Many recipes call for searing the pork in a pan before baking it. I do not like getting another pan dirty, so I skip that step and boil a few minutes after the cook time to brown the pork slightly. You can pre-sear the pork prior to baking it if you prefer.
- Meat Thermometer – Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the pork has been cooked to a safe temperature before eating it.
- Rest Pork – Let the pork sit for 5 minutes before cutting it to make sure that the juices stay inside of the pork to keep it moist.
- Cooking Time – Cook times can vary more than you’d expect with pork tenderloin. A thicker or larger tenderloin (or an oven that runs cooler) can take significantly longer than the times listed here — that’s completely normal. Always rely on a meat thermometer and pull the pork at 145°F regardless of how long it takes to get there.
Thank you for this! Total hit with my family!! ??
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try with the tenderloin in the freezer!
Donna – Thank you! I’m excited for you to try it!
Looks good! I’m always looking for new recipes to make. Thank you
Looks good! I’m always looking for new recipes to make. Thank you
Definitely gonna make this next time I go shopping and I’ll pick up a pork tenderloin. I love pork.
I’m so glad you plan to try it. Thanks for leaving a comment!
I’m definitely going to try this! I like pork but I have to convince the rest of the family to like it. I think this will work!
Looks good!
This looks delicious!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy.
Excellent idea to bake in the foil. I usually cook in the crockpot but I like this as it will give you that browned “crust”. The lemon squeeze gives you a little tenderizer, as if it needs it!
Elaine – Thank you! So glad you enjoyed.
i have tried this its delicious
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment.
Wow! Looks delicious, I can’t wait to try. I think some green beans and your Cheesy Mashed Potatoes would go great with this.
Love those ideas! Thanks for sharing.
My pork tenderloin usually tastes bland. I am definitely going to try this. Sounds great
This pork tenderloin looks so good, wondering if you could use this same recipe but cook it on the smoker instead of the oven?
Yes! The flavor will be a little different but still delicious. Let me know if you try it.
Love this recipe! Very tasty!
Diane – Thanks so much!
I make pork tenderloin all the time. I just put it in oven as is. I can’t wait to try this one. Sounds delicious ?
Delicious, high quality protein meal! Bonus if you catch the pork on sale!
Yes! I love a good deal!
I did not use your seasonings but did use your roasting method. My tenderloin was already marinated in teriyaki sauce. I wrapped in foil and cooked according to your directions. It was amazing. I have never cooked tenderloin this way but I can easily say it will be my go to from now on! So juicy and tender!
It was delicious!!
Mary – Wahoo! I’m so glad it was tender and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Love this and make it often. Always perfectly cooked. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for sharing Sherylie! I’m so glad your here and than you enjoyed this recipe!
This is the best baked tenderloin recipe. Fool proof and never overcooked. Quick & easy!!
Laurie – Thanks for taking the time comment. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it.
I made this pork tenderloin recipe and it was so easy to cook and the cleanup was a breeze. The roast was so tender and favourable.
Thank you so much for sharing Barbara! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for the positive review!
This recipe is delicious easy to make so much flavor this is my 4th time making this.
Joann – That’s wonderful! Thank you so much for letting us know. You made our day!
Wonderful, wonderful meal and so simple. Cooked as per instructions and ingredients. Very tasty!!
Susan – Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you loved it.