Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin with Caramelized Brown Sugar Spice Rub
By Isabella Quinn
Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Total
40 min
Servings
8
Level
Easy
Choose pork tenderloins, which are oval and thin, instead of pork loins, which are fattier. Pork tenderloin is a naturally tender cut that works well for roasting. A rub made of sweet paprika, garlic, and Italian herbs is one option for making roasted pork tenderloin. The rub will turn brown and sweet, and the tenderloin will stay juicy.
The rub contains brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, Italian spices, salt, and black pepper. Rubs are applied to the meat on all sides before cooking. Brown sugar gives the tenderloins flavor without sweetness and helps brown the meat. Olive oil is drizzled over the tenderloins rubbed with spices in a 9×13 pan. Two one-pound tenderloins are baked in the oven.
The sugar in the rub caramelizes during cooking, and the olive oil in the rub helps keep the surface of the pork moist. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness; the website warns that pork may be a little pink inside. Other tips and pitfalls of cooking pork loin and pork tenderloin are provided.
Serve sliced pork with mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus and carrots, broccoli rice casserole, cucumber and tomato salad, or green salad. The recipe makes enough sliced pork for two pork tenderloins. Other slices of pork are great in BBQ sandwiches with brioche buns and flour tortillas. Store leftover pork in airtight containers in the refrigerator to use another time.
Why we keep this one around
- Two tenderloins can be roasted together and used later in sandwiches and burritos.
- Brown sugar goes well with the savory flavors of paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Brown sugar can help brown pork without making it overly sweet.
- Olive oil is used sparingly to add moisture and flavor to seasoned meat during cooking. Beef tenderloin is a lean meat.
- The ingredient list of six seasonings, pork, and olive oil is brief, and the recipe can be prepared quickly using readily available ingredients without purchasing extra ingredients.
- Choosing tenderloin instead of pork loin for this recipe is recommended because tenderloin is a long, thin cut of meat that cooks well with this recipe.
- Leftover pork slices can be used in sandwiches and burritos as a way to serve a second meal using two pounds of seasoned pork. A second meal using seasoned pork can be prepared this way.
Ingredients
- •1 tablespoon brown sugar
- •1 teaspoon paprika
- •1 teaspoon garlic powder
- •1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- •¾ teaspoon salt
- •¼ teaspoon black pepper
- •2 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)
- •2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400° F.
- 2
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Pat the pork tenderloins dry with paper towels.
- 4
Trim off any silver skin.
- 5
Sprinkle the seasonings over all sides of the pork and gently rub them into the meat.
- 6
Place the pork tenderloins in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- 7
Drizzle the olive oil over the pork tenderloins.
- 8
Bake for 25-35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers at least 145° F.
- 9
Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
163
Calories
24g
Protein
6g
Fat
2g
Carbs
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