I still remember the first time I made best juicy pork tenderloin for Michael's birthday dinner, how the kitchen filled with that savory, caramelized smell, and how proud I felt serving something that looked like it came from a fancy steakhouse.
If you're looking for more easy weeknight proteins, try my Easy Southern Chicken Fried Chicken with Gravy - Crispy & Addictive Recipe or this Easy Chow Mein Recipe: Quick, Healthy & Full of Flavor that pairs beautifully with the same simple pan sauce method. And when you want something a little heartier, this Easy Shakshuka on Toast - Addictive, Comforting uses the same skillet-to-oven technique.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This easy pork best juicy pork tenderloin recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, which makes it perfect for those nights when you want something impressive without the stress. The cast iron pork tenderloin method gives you a gorgeous crust, and the high heat keeps everything moist inside.
You can season it however you like, make it fancy with herbs and wine sauce, or keep it simple with just salt and pepper. Either way, you're getting tender, flavorful meat that slices beautifully and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Plus, leftovers are fantastic for sandwiches or salads the next day.
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best juicy pork tenderloin Ingredients
A few simple ingredients are all you need for perfectly cooked pork.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For ingredients Quantites
Pork Tenderloin:
Pork tenderloins: Two best juicy pork tenderloin at 1 to 1½ pounds each give you plenty of meat for a family dinner. Look for ones that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
Salt and black pepper: Salt is essential for flavor and helps create that beautiful crust. Fresh ground black pepper adds a little bite.
Canola or vegetable oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point works best for searing without burning.
Seasoning blend or rub: Use your favorite blend, whether it's Italian herbs, garlic powder, or a smoky barbecue rub. Fresh or dried both work beautifully.
Pan Sauce (Optional):
White wine, broth, or apple cider: Any of these liquids will deglaze the pan and pick up all those flavorful browned bits. You can use one or mix them together.
Unsalted butter: Stirred in at the end, butter adds richness and gives the sauce a silky finish.
how to make best juicy pork tenderloin
Prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) so it's nice and hot when the pork goes in. This high heat is what keeps the meat juicy while it finishes cooking.
Prepare the pork: Trim each best juicy pork tenderloin by removing any tough white or silvery skin, called silverskin. Use a small, sharp knife to slide under it and lift it away in strips. Pat the pork completely dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt all over. Dry meat sears better and the salt helps build flavor.
Sear the pork: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy oven-safe pan over medium heat until it shimmers. Add both best juicy pork tenderloin and cook, turning them every couple of minutes, until they're golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Scatter your chosen seasoning blend or fresh herbs over the top of the pork.
Finish in the oven: Transfer the whole skillet directly to the hot oven and roast for 10 to 20 minutes. Start checking around the 10-minute mark by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. You're looking for 145°F to 150°F for pork best juicy pork tenderloin internal temperature. Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This pork tenderloin resting time lets the juices redistribute.
Make the pan sauce (optional): While the pork rests, carefully return the hot skillet to the stovetop over medium heat. Pour in ¾ cup of wine, broth, or apple cider and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer and bubble until it reduces by about half, which takes 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the butter until it melts and creates a glossy sauce. Spoon this pork best juicy pork tenderloin with pan sauce over your sliced meat when serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Oil options: Olive oil works if you prefer it, though it has a slightly lower smoke point. Avocado oil is another great choice for high-heat cooking.
Seasoning ideas: Try garlic powder and rosemary, a Cajun spice blend, or even a sweet and spicy rub with brown sugar and chili powder. The pork best juicy pork tenderloin seasoning ideas are endless.
Pan sauce variations: Swap the wine for apple juice with a splash of vinegar, use chicken or beef broth, or add a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the finished sauce for extra tang.
For a thicker sauce: Whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water while the sauce simmers.
Equipment for best juicy pork tenderloin
A large cast-iron skillet or any heavy oven-safe pan is essential since it goes from stovetop to oven. Cast iron holds heat beautifully and creates an excellent sear.
A small sharp knife makes trimming the silverskin much easier and safer than using a large chef's knife.
Paper towels help you pat the meat dry, which is a small step that makes a big difference in browning.
An instant-read meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of knowing when your pork is perfectly done. It's worth having one in your kitchen.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storing: Let any leftover baked pork best juicy pork tenderloin cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Slice it first if you plan to use it for sandwiches or salads.
Freezing: Wrap the cooked and cooled pork tightly in aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It will keep for up to 1 month in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Warm sliced pork gently in a covered skillet with a splash of broth over low heat, or reheat it in the oven at 300°F until just warmed through. Don't overheat it or it will dry out.
Doneness note: Remember that pork best juicy pork tenderloin doneness is best at 145°F for juicy, slightly pink meat. Going much higher than 150°F will make it drier and tougher.
expert tips
Don't skip the searing step. That golden crust adds so much flavor and helps seal in the juices. Make sure your pan is hot before adding the meat.
Use a thermometer. Guessing when pork is done usually leads to overcooking. An instant-read thermometer is the only way to know for sure when you've hit that perfect pork best juicy pork tenderloin internal temperature of 145°F.
Let it rest. Those 5 to 10 minutes of resting time aren't optional. If you slice into the pork right away, all the juices run out onto the cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
Watch the cooking time. The pork best juicy pork tenderloin cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your meat. Thinner tenderloins will cook faster, so start checking around 10 minutes.
Season generously. Pork best juicy pork tenderloin is lean and needs good seasoning to bring out its flavor. Don't be shy with the salt and your chosen spices.
FAQ
How to cook pork tenderloin so it stays moist?
The key is not overcooking it. Use an instant-read thermometer and pull the pork out of the oven when it reaches 145°F. Let it rest before slicing, and consider making a pan sauce to drizzle over the top. The high heat of this pork best juicy pork tenderloin 425 degrees method also helps lock in moisture quickly.
How does Gordon Ramsay cook pork tenderloin?
Gordon Ramsay uses a similar method of searing the pork in a hot pan first, then finishing it in a hot oven. He often adds herbs like thyme and rosemary during the searing process and makes a quick pan sauce with the drippings. The technique is all about high heat and not overcooking.
What is the 7 6 5 method for pork tenderloin?
The 7 6 5 method refers to cooking pork best juicy pork tenderloin at different temperatures: 7 minutes at one temp, 6 at another, and 5 at a final temperature. However, the method in this recipe is simpler and more reliable, using a consistent 425°F oven temperature and checking with a thermometer instead of timing alone.
How to make pork more moist?
Start with quality meat that hasn't been previously frozen if possible. Pat it completely dry before searing, season it well, and don't cook it past 145°F to 150°F internal temperature. Let it rest after cooking, and serve it with a sauce or gravy. The juicy pork best juicy pork tenderloin technique here uses all these principles for the most tender results.
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Pairing
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Ultra Juicy Oven-Finished Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
Method
- Set the oven to 425°F so it's fully heated before cooking begins. prep
- Carefully remove any silvery connective tissue from the pork, blot dry with paper towels, and season generously with salt. prep
- Warm the oil in a heavy oven-safe skillet over medium heat, then brown the pork on all sides, turning until evenly golden before adding the seasoning blend. prep
- Place the skillet directly into the oven and roast until the center reaches 145-150°F, then transfer the pork to rest before slicing. bake
- Return the skillet to the stovetop, pour in the liquid, scrape up the browned bits, simmer until reduced, and swirl in butter before serving over the pork. finish
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