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Home Recipes by Type Main Dish Pork
GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free

Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin Recipe

4.47
/5
40 minutes mins
25 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 03/06/2023Updated: 05/08/2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Pork, text overlay reads "spice rubbed pork tenderloin - so good."
Pork, text overlay reads "the best spice rubbed pork tenderloin."
Pork, text overlay reads "spice rubbed pork tenderloin - so good."
Pork, text overlay reads "the best spice rubbed pork tenderloin."
The BEST Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin on RachelCooks.com

Juicy and flavorful, this spice rubbed pork tenderloin recipe is hands-down our family’s favorite way to prepare pork tenderloins.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This recipe is easy and fool-proof.

How long it takes: 5 minutes to prep, 30 minutes to cook, 5 minutes resting time
Equipment you’ll need: large oven safe skillet
Servings: 8 (6 oz. each)

Spiced rubbed pork tenderloin, sliced and plated.
Table of Contents
open
  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 About This Recipe
  • 3 What You’ll Need
  • 4 How To Make This Recipe
  • 5 what to serve with spice rubbed pork tenderloin
  • 6 FAQs
  • 7 About Meat Thermometers
  • 8 Make It Your Own
  • 9 Make-Ahead Ideas
  • 10 Storage & Reheating Tips
  • 11 Leftover Love
  • 12 More Pork Recipes
  • 13 Get the Recipe: Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin Recipe

I have made this spice rubbed pork tenderloin more times than I can count. I’ve made it for my family, I’ve made it for extended family, and I’ve made it for friends.

It is unquestionably our favorite pork tenderloin recipe. It’s easy and it turns out perfectly every time. The pork is juicy and tender, and oh, so tasty. Everyone raves about it.

This isn’t the only way I cook pork tenderloin. Because it’s boneless and lean, pork tenderloin is super versatile. It cooks up fast and is perfect for quick dinners.

Here’s a few more recipes to tantalize your taste buds. Pork tenderloin with apples and onions is perfect for fall. The apricot glaze on these grilled pork kebabs is simply amazing. And if you’re looking for a really quick way to prepare pork tenderloin, try these pork medallions with lemon garlic sauce. The thin slices of pork cook up in no time.

This spice rubbed pork tenderloin recipe is also Whole 30 compliant, keto and paleo friendly, and because pork tenderloin is so lean, it’s a healthy choice for anyone. A six ounce serving of pork tenderloin is 225 calories and contains 36 grams of protein, with only 7 grams of fat.

A perfectly roasted pork tenderloin is pretty enough to serve to guests and it’s easy enough to be on your menu every week. And it’s delicious!

About This Recipe

This spice rubbed pork tenderloin recipe is easy to make (have I mentioned that already?). The pork is seasoned with a succulent blend of spices and dried herbs. The seasoning is rubbed into the pork before you cook it.

The cooking method is a two step process. First, the pork is seared in a skillet on the stovetop over high heat. Once there’s a nice brown crust on the outside surface of the meat, the skillet is popped into the oven. The pork continues to roast until it reaches the correct internal temperature.

When you take the tenderloin out of the oven, you give it a short resting time. This allows the juices to settle down a little bit, ensuring that they won’t all run out onto the plate when you slice the meat. The goal is to have juicy meat, not a juice-filled plate.

It’s a pretty simple cooking method but the results are always fantastic. The pork tenderloin is perfectly cooked: juicy, flavorful, and tender.

Pork tenderloin on platter with tomatoes and green beans.

I’ll give you a recipe overview here with extra information and tips. Look for the printable recipe card near the end of the post for measurements, instructions, and nutrition information.

What You’ll Need

  • Pork Tenderloins (2): Since pork tenderloins usually are sold two to a package, the recipe is written for two tenderloins, each weighing about one and a half pounds, three pounds total. Be sure to buy plain tenderloins, not seasoned or marinated tenderloins.
  • Dried Oregano and Dried Thyme: Dried herbs are so easy to use and keep in the pantry indefinitely. Their pungent flavor is more concentrated than fresh herbs.
  • Garlic Powder: Another pantry item, garlic powder is simply dehydrated garlic that has been pulverized into a powder. Don’t substitute garlic salt; it will make your seasoning too salty.
  • Ground Cumin, Paprika, Ground Coriander: Bright red paprika is made from dried peppers but it is not spicy. It gives a nice color to the seasoning. Ground coriander is actually the seeds from cilantro plants, dried and ground into a powder.
  • Salt and Pepper: These two common seasonings are found in everyone’s kitchen. What would we do without them?
  • Olive Oil: The tenderloins are seared in olive oil. If you prefer, another type of oil can be substituted as long as it has a fairly high smoke point.
Ingredients needed for recipe.

How To Make This Recipe

Preheat the oven to 450°F. It’s important to have the oven nice and hot, ready for the tenderloins once they are seared, and it takes a little time for the oven to get to that temperature.

You’ll need a large skillet that is oven safe up to 450°F. A cast iron skillet works well but many stainless steel or nonstick skillets are oven safe too. If the pan is all metal, including the handles, it’s probably oven proof. A pan with plastic or wooden handles usually is not. The skillet should be large enough to accommodate both tenderloins without overlapping.

Prep seasoning: Prepare the seasoning blend in a small bowl and set it aside for a minute.

Spices mixed in a bowl.

Trim the pork tenderloin. Remove the tenderloins from the packaging. You’ll sometimes see a silverskin on one side of the tenderloins. That’s actually what it’s called and it describes it perfectly. It’s a thin silver-colored membrane. Using a very sharp knife, slice the silverskin away from the tenderloins. If desired, trim off any excess fat. Usually there is very little fat on tenderloins.

Season pork. Now it’s time for the spice rub. Set the tenderloins on a cutting board or platter and sprinkle the seasoning over the tenderloins. With your hands, rub the spices into all sides of the meat until it’s well-coated. Wash your hands.

Uncooked tenderloins, rubbed with spices.

Cook the pork tenderloin. Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, tilt the pan to coat it with the oil. If the pan is hot, the oil will be liquid and shimmering.

Place the tenderloins into the hot skillet. Be careful of splatters! If you have a grease splatter screen, now’s the time to use it. (By the way, you can find the screens at the dollar store.) Allow the pork to brown for a few minutes, then turn it over using tongs. Brown that side for a few minutes, then turn it to another side. The pork tenderloin should be nicely seared on all sides in about 10 minutes. Don’t allow the pork to burn; it should be golden brown.

Transfer the hot skillet with the pork to the preheated oven. Set the timer for 15 minutes. Carefully remove the pan (don’t forget to use an oven mitt, the handle with be very hot) and test for doneness with an instant read thermometer (see the FAQ below). If it’s not quite at the correct temperature, return the pan to the oven for a few more minutes.

Pork tenderloins in cast iron skillet.

To finish: Once the pork is done, remove it from the skillet and put it on a cutting board to rest for a few minutes. The internal temperature will continue to rise a couple of degrees.

Slice the tenderloins vertically, about one inch thick. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Partially sliced pork tenderloins on cutting board.

what to serve with spice rubbed pork tenderloin

Here are a few of my favorite side dishes that pair perfectly with this easy pork recipe:

  • Sautéed Mushrooms
  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  • Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes (so easy!)
  • Crock Pot Carrots with Cinnamon Glaze
  • Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
  • Green Beans with Bacon, Garlic, and Onion
  • Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Air Fryer Green Beans
  • Roasted Sugar Snap Peas (so good!)

FAQs

What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin?

These two cuts are often confused. They are both boneless and lean but the two cuts are very different.
A pork loin is much larger in size, about 7 to 10 pounds, and usually has a thick fat cap on top. It may be called a pork loin roast, New York pork roast, top loin pork roast, or center cut pork roast. It is usually roasted whole and takes much longer to cook.
A pork tenderloin is long and narrow, about 1 to 1½ pounds; it often is sold with 2 tenderloins per package. It may have a silverskin on one side that should be removed before cooking. A tenderloin can be cooked in a variety of ways: roasted whole, sliced and sautéed, or grilled.

What temperature does pork need to be cooked to?

When you’re cooking pork tenderloin, it is of utmost importance not to overcook it. Take it out of the oven just before the pork reaches the desired temperature and let the pork rest briefly. The internal temperature will continue to rise a few degrees. You’ll be left with juicy, delicious pork.
The National Pork Board has a great photo illustration of what the pork should look like when it’s cooked medium rare (145-150°F), medium (150-155°F), medium well (155-160 °F), and well done (160°F).

pink thermapen on white background

About Meat Thermometers

I highly recommend a digital instant read meat thermometer for the most accurate reading. I have a Thermapen and I love it. A digital thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking.  It’s a little bit of an investment but it’s totally worth it.

Buy a Themapen

Make It Your Own

  • Tweak the seasoning: The easiest way to make this your own recipe is to tweak the seasoning blend. Really, any type of seasoning can be used. We really love this blend but feel free to experiment with your own blend. You can also substitute my all purpose seasoning, if you prefer. Try a chili seasoning rub. Avoid rubs that contain sugar because the sugar tends to scorch when you sear the meat.
  • Substitute boneless pork chops. If pork tenderloins aren’t available, try this cooking method with thick cut boneless pork chops. Adjust the cooking time, depending on the thickness of the chops.
Pork on a platter with green beans and tomatoes.

Make-Ahead Ideas

If you’d like to get a head start on this recipe, prep the tenderloins several hours or up to a day ahead of time.

Trim the pork tenderloins and rub the spice mixture into the meat. Put them in a tightly covered container. Remove them from the refrigerator a half hour ahead of time, or while the oven is preheating.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: Leftover pork tenderloin will keep in the fridge for three to four days in a covered container.

Freeze: Leftover pork can be frozen for two to three months. I prefer to freeze the pork already sliced so that it thaws more quickly.

Reheat: The best way to reheat leftover pork is to briefly pan fry the tenderloin slices in a bit of oil until warmed through. The microwave tends to toughen the meat.

Leftover Love

Cooked pork tenderloin is super versatile. Substitute pork for chicken in recipes that call for cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts. Thinly slice or shred the meat and use it for pulled pork sandwiches with homemade BBQ sauce. Dice it and add it to a veggie hash, fried rice, or egg roll in a bowl. Add it to salads, like this southwestern farro salad with roasted sweet potatoes and poblanos.

Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this pork tenderloin recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #15. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week!

We’ll be adding a new meal plan weekly. If you’re interested, browse all of our meal plans.

More Pork Recipes

Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Balsamic Glaze

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Ribs – fall off the bone!

Grilled Pork Kabobs with Apples

Browse All

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Sliced spice rubbed pork tenderloin.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin Recipe

4.47 from 13 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Additional Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
8 servings
Print Rate Recipe
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Juicy and flavorful, this spice rubbed pork tenderloin recipe is hands-down our family's favorite way to prepare pork tenderloins.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb. pork tenderloins (2 tenderloins, each 1½ pounds)
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • Prep pork by trimming fat and silver membrane if present.
  • In a small bowl, mix together oregano, thyme, cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, coriander, and black pepper. Using your hands, rub this all over pork tenderloins.
  • In a large oven safe skillet over medium high heat, heat olive oil. When it is hot, add pork tenderloins and sear on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side, or about 10 minutes total, until the pork is nicely browned.
  • Carefully transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until cooked to medium rare (140-145°F). Let meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  • Using a very sharp knife, slice tenderloins into approx. 1 inch slices. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Feel free to customize the spice mixture. If you’re a garlic fan, increase the amount of garlic powder. If you like a little more heat, add a dash of cayenne red pepper.
  • Leftover pork can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or frozen for 2 to 3 months. I like to slice the cooked pork before freezing it because it thaws more quickly. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 6oz., Calories: 224kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 36g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 111mg, Sodium: 673mg, Potassium: 714mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 64IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 3mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
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  1. Judy says

    January 1, 2022 at 6:33 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! The meat was so well seasoned, the recipe is easy, and it was juicy and cooked perfectly for the time recommended. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      January 3, 2022 at 10:16 am

      So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  2. Kara Plantinga says

    October 28, 2020 at 11:41 am

    This was a HUGE hit at our house. My 7 year old even gave me a hug after her first bite. It was very easy to make and I’m glad to have a new item to add to the rotation around here.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      November 1, 2020 at 8:39 pm

      That’s so awesome! How great! :)

      Reply
  3. Kathy Oboikovitz says

    May 8, 2019 at 3:39 pm

    Absolutely DELISH!!!  This is my go-to pork tenderloin recipe!!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      May 9, 2019 at 3:46 pm

      So glad you like this recipe! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply
  4. Oliver says

    January 5, 2017 at 11:18 pm

    Looks INSANELY dry in all of the pictures…yikes.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      January 7, 2017 at 8:41 am

      We love this recipe and I’d love to hear what you think of it after you try making it!

      Reply
    • Kara Plantinga says

      October 28, 2020 at 11:43 am

      I made this and it wasn’t dry at all. There was juice in the bottom of the pan that we spooned over the mashed potatoes I made to go with it.

      Reply
      • Rachel Gurk says

        November 1, 2020 at 8:39 pm

        Glad to hear it! It’s one of our favorites!

        Reply
  5. Karen @ The Food Charlatan says

    April 9, 2014 at 12:23 am

    I made this tonight Rachel!! Sooooo good!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 9, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      So glad you liked it, Karen!

      Reply
  6. Karen @ The Food Charlatan says

    April 7, 2014 at 12:37 am

    Pork tenderloin is the best. I have one in the freezer that is calling my name now. Love the coriander in this!

    Reply
  7. Jennifer Keller says

    April 6, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    Great recipe and pictures! Thank you for sharing and participating!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 7, 2014 at 9:52 am

      My pleasure! Thanks Jennifer!

      Reply
  8. Kristen says

    April 4, 2014 at 9:46 am

    I am beyond in love with this recipe. Pork is so easy and versatile… you just proved it right here!
    Thanks a bunch for participating in this campaign and getting the #pinkpork word out! You rock!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 4, 2014 at 8:35 pm

      Thanks for asking me to participate! I love pork :) and you!

      Reply
  9. denise says

    April 3, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    mouth-watering good

    Reply
  10. Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says

    April 3, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    Love pork tenderloin for a quick and easy meal. I think people dismiss how versatile it can be! Love this spiced version Rachel!

    Reply
  11. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

    April 3, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    There is nothing better than to have someone’s time tested recipe. Thank you for so generously sharing it. On top of that if I really really had to choose, I think pork is my favorite meat. Thank heavens I am not normally cornered with having to make that choice. Smiles—–

    Reply
  12. Claire Gallam says

    April 3, 2014 at 10:25 am

    This looks incredible. I love a simple pork recipe.

    Reply
  13. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says

    April 3, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Wow-this looks SO good!?! I absolutely LOVE pork tenderloin and am going to have to try this version!

    Reply
  14. Liz@Virtually Homemade says

    April 3, 2014 at 9:51 am

    Love pork tenderloin – looks delicious!

    Reply
  15. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says

    April 3, 2014 at 7:46 am

    We love this recipe from Ellie!! We literally made it a couple weeks ago!! Have you tried her teriyaki pork tenderloin? Equally delish. Yum!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 4, 2014 at 9:16 pm

      No — sounds like I need to though!

      Reply

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