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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป 30-Minute Dinner Recipes

Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Published: Jan 16, 2024 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 58 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Pan-seared pork tenderloin, finished by baking to your ideal temperature, is tender, juicy, and delicious! With excellent browning from cast iron searing, it is still moist and tender from oven roastingโ€” an easy, 30-minute dinner recipe.

๐Ÿ–Ingredients

Pork tenderloin
Butter or oil
Seasoning of your choiceโ€”Kosher salt and black pepper is enough, but adding garlic powder is suggested.

pork tenderloin on blue platter sq
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐Ÿ–Ingredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Sear a Pork Tenderloin and Bake in the Ovenโ€”Step-by-Step
  • โฐHow long to bake pork tenderloin
  • ๐ŸŒก๏ธLevels of Cooked Pork (Doneness)
  • โœ”๏ธTips to cook it right every time
  • Seasoning options
  • Pork Tenderloin Recipes
  • Why Use Cast-Iron?
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธHow to Serve
  • How to Store Leftovers
  • โ“FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ–Pork Tenderloin is Not Pork Loin
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Featured Comment from Curtis:
5 stars. I love this recipe. I make it at least twice a month. The tenderloins turn out juicy and perfect just about every timeโ€ฆ

This recipe depends on an old, tried and true method. First, we will sear a pork tenderloin in a cast-iron skillet, creating flavor by causing a Maillard reaction. Then, baked in the oven to bring it up to the final internal temperature.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Sear a Pork Tenderloin and Bake in the Ovenโ€”Step-by-Step

trimmed pork tenderloin on a red board with a knife.

1. Preheat the oven to 400ยฐ convection or 425ยฐ in a regular oven. Trim by removing the "silver skin" and any trimmable fat. Pat dry with a paper towel, then season with coarse salt, black pepper, or other seasoning.

pork tenderloin in a cast iron skillet.

2. Heat 1-2 teaspoons of butter or vegetable oil in an oven-safe pan (cast iron skillet preferred) over medium-high heat until hot. Sear for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, rotate โ…“, and repeat until all sides are seared.

cooked pork tenderloin in a cast iron skillet.

3. Move the tenderloin and skillet to the preheated oven and cook until an internal temp of 145ยฐ-150ยฐ (15-17 minutes usually) using an instant-read thermometer.

Pork Tenderloin slices on plate.

4. Move to a plate, tent lightly with foil, and rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.

โฐHow long to bake pork tenderloin

After searing on the stovetop for about 6-9 minutes, the baking time will be 15 to 17 minutes to 145ยฐ in a 425ยฐ oven. It will vary by the tenderloin size, the amount of searing, the beginning temperature of the meat, your pan, and the oven.

Other oven temperatures for medium-rare (145ยฐ-150ยฐ.)

Oven
Temperature
Searing
Time
Approximate
Oven TIme
Approximate
Total Time
350ยฐ6 to 9 minutes25+ minutes31 -34+ minutes
375ยฐ6 to 9 minutes20-24 minutes26-33 minutes
400ยฐ6 to 9 minutes18-20 minutes24-29 minutes
425ยฐ6 to 9 minutes15-17 minutes21-26 minutes
These are approximate times provided for planning only. Convection oven time will be 25ยฐ lower.

Always check the internal temperature and allow for a 2ยฐ-4ยฐ rise in temperature after cooking. Never cook by time alone, always check early, and thinner tenderloins cook significantly faster.

๐ŸŒก๏ธLevels of Cooked Pork (Doneness)

Cooked Pork LevelInternal Temperature
RareNot recommended due to safety.
Medium-Rare145ยฐ-150ยฐ
Medium150ยฐ-155ยฐ
Medium-Well155ยฐ-160ยฐ
Well Done160ยฐ+
For pork chops, loin, and tenderloin.

โœ”๏ธTips to cook it right every time

The shape of the tenderloin is a bit odd. It is triangular, not flat, round, or square. So, when cooking pork tenderloin, it needs to be "flipped" by rotating โ…“, not ยฝ, rotation.

The best pan to use is a cast iron 10 or 12-inch skillet, but any oven-safe pan that can move from stovetop to oven will work.

If you donโ€™t have a pan that will work, sear in a stovetop pan and move to a different preheated oven-safe pan like a rimmed baking sheet to finish.

The pan must be hot with a couple of teaspoons of melted butter or oil over medium-high heat when the tenderloin is placed in the pan. It will not sear well if it is not hot at the start of searing.

Sear to approximately the final color you want at the end of cooking.

Seasoning options

Just coarse salt and black pepper are acceptable. Much of the taste will come from the searing of the tenderloin, creating a Maillard reaction. A good dose of garlic is required in our house, and I usually use our All Purpose Seasoning - 7:2:2, which has a good amount of garlic powder.

You may use fresh garlic by adding a couple of fresh garlic cloves to olive oil, cooking for a minute or two, and then spreading over the tenderloin as it moves from the stovetop to the oven.

Thyme, smoked paprika, fresh herbs, or other spices can be added before entering the oven.

Pork Tenderloin Recipes

Take it outside with Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Memphis Grilled Pork Tenderloin, or Grilled Pork Medallions. Make a complete meal with Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes.

Make wonderful pork tenderloin sandwiches: Oven Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches, Shredded Pork Tenderloin, or Iowa Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches.

Why Use Cast-Iron?

While not required for this recipe, cast iron is the best choice for many reasons.

  • Cast iron can tolerate both high heat and easily transform from the stovetop to the oven.
  • The bottom is very flat and transfers heat across the surface evenly.
  • It is naturally non-stick when correctly seasoned.
  • It is generally cheap and will last for generations.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธHow to Serve

To fancy it up a bit, a pan sauce can be made with the browned bits and juices left in the pan by adding some broth or wine. You may add other seasonings like Dijon mustard or more butter, shallots, or other spices. Whisk together and serve with the slices of tenderloin.

We usually serve with hot vegetables like Roasted Parmesan Asparagus, Baked Green Beans with Bacon, or Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower. Add in some Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes or Easy Dinner Rolls.

While pork is "the other white meat," for wine, we usually skip white wine and go for a millet or cabernet.

How to Store Leftovers

Seal leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 4 days or freeze for 3-4 months.

To reheat leftovers just a short time in a microwave works well. Or on the stovetop, if the slices are relatively thin, in a frying pan with a bit of oil over medium heat. You can also reheat in the oven or an air fryer.

โ“FAQs

How do you remove the silverskin from a pork tenderloin?

Most tenderloins will have a "silver skin" that should be removed. It is some tough connective tissue.

Work a finger or butter knife under the silver skin, then work off the silver skin with a sharp knife and some traction. It may take several times to get most of it. A bit left is not an issue.

What is the minimum safe internal temperature for pork tenderloin?

According to the USDA, the minimum safe final internal temperature is 145ยฐ. At 145ยฐ, the center will be a little pink but hot. The pork temperature will rise 2ยฐ-4ยฐ after cooking, so account for that.

You can cook to a higher internal temperature if you wish.

Do I have to use a meat thermometer to check the pork's internal temperature?

You must use a meat thermometer or an instant-read thermometer to get the correct final temperature.

๐Ÿ–Pork Tenderloin is Not Pork Loin

The tenderloin refers to the psoas muscle along the lower back. The psoas is the most tender cut of meat since it is not used for movement. It is chicken tenders in the chicken or beef tenderloin (filet mignon) in cattle.

location of pork tenderloin - Image licensed May 17, 2017, from Fotolia. Copyright by foxysgraphic - Fotolia. Image modified in accordance with the license.
Image licensed from Fotolia. Copyright by foxysgraphic - Fotolia. The image was modified following the license.

Over the years, many commenters on this blog have confused pork loin with tenderloin. It is obvious when they have a "4-pound tenderloin"โ€”no, they do not.

The tenderloin usually weighs about 1 to 1 ยฝ pounds. A huge one could push towards 2 pounds. PLEASE BE SURE YOU HAVE A TENDERLOIN AND NOT A LOIN.

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This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

101's Best Recipes, 30-Minute Dinner Recipes, Pork Recipes, Pork Tenderloin Recipes

Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card

pork tenderloin on blue platter

Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

5 from 9 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Pan-seared pork tenderloin, finished by baking to your ideal temperature, is tender, juicy, and delicious! With excellent browning from cast iron searing, it is still moist and tender from oven roastingโ€” an easy, 30-minute dinner recipe.
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjust if desired 4 servings

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Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 1 pork tenderloin - about 1 ยฝ pounds
  • 2 teaspoons butter or vegetable oil
  • kosher salt - to taste
  • pepper - coarse ground
  • garlic powder - optional

Instructions
 

  • trimmed pork tenderloin on a red board with a knife
    Preheat the oven to 400ยฐ convection or 425ยฐ in a regular oven. Trim by removing the "silver skin" and any trimmable fat. Pat dry with a paper towel, then season with coarse salt, black pepper, or other seasoning.
  • pork tenderloin in a cast iron skillet
    Heat 1-2 teaspoons of butter or vegetable oil in an oven-safe pan (cast iron skillet preferred) over medium-high heat until hot. Sear for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, rotate โ…“, and repeat until all sides are seared.
  • cooked pork tenderloin in a cast iron skillet
    Move the tenderloin and skillet to the preheated oven and cook until an internal temp of 145ยฐ-150ยฐ (15-17 minutes usually) using an instant-read thermometer.
  • Pork Tenderloin slices on plate
    Move to a plate, tent lightly with foil, and rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. Cast iron works very well here or another oven-safe pan. If you do not have an oven-safe pan, sear on the stovetop, then transfer to a preheated oven pan.
  2. I like to use my All Purpose Seasoning; 7:2:2 for the seasoning, which has salt, pepper, and garlic powder., But use any seasoning you want.
  3. Remember that a pork loin is NOT a pork tenderloin.
  4. Pork tenderloin is a triangular shape so sear all three sides.
  5. Be sure to rest the meat after cooking for 5 minutes or a bit more so the fluid will reabsorb into the meat.
  6. Many options are discussed in the post. Please check there if you have questions first.
  7. Serving size note. Pork tenderloin is two large servings or 3-4 smaller servings and is a bit dependent on the size of the tenderloin. They will range from slightly over 1 pound to almost 2 pounds.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.
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To adjust the recipe size:

You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories : 221 kcal (11%)Protein : 35 g (70%)Fat : 8 g (12%)Saturated Fat : 4 g (20%)Cholesterol : 111 mg (37%)Sodium : 379 mg (16%)Potassium : 668 mg (19%)Calcium : 10 mg (1%)Iron : 2 mg (11%)
Serving size is my estimate of a normal size. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

ยฉ 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors.

Editor's Note: This recipe was originally published on February 15, 2010, the second month of this blog. It has had several minor updates but is now a total rewrite of the discussion and new photos.

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  1. danny says

    February 15, 2025 at 5:57 pm

    5 stars
    the best way to make pork tenderloins by far. im new to cast iron cookware and thought i'd use my pan for this. no regrets, followed exactly, made the juiciest cuts ive ever had. thanks.

    Reply
  2. Michelle L Thomas says

    November 06, 2023 at 2:29 am

    If I want potatoes and carrots with the roast can I make them separately, and if so how long should I cook them? This is my first time making a roast without the veggies in the same pan.

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      November 06, 2023 at 7:34 am

      Hi Michelle,

      Welcome to the blog. You can cook them separatelyโ€”root vegetables like carrots and potatoes will take 30-35 minutes at about 400ยฐ depending on their size.

      But you probably want a different recipe like https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/one-pan-roasted-pork-tenderloin-with-potatoes-and-carrots/ which is one pan oven recipe. You can lightly sear the pork tenderloin before cooking if you want. Or to cook cut-up potatoes (and chunks of carrots will cook about the same time), see https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/easy-roasted-red-potatoes/

      Lastly, be sure you are cooking a pork tenderloin and not a pork loin roast. They are different and cook differentlyโ€”I say that because you are say "roast". It would be a common mistake.

      Hope that helps.

      Dan

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Welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy step-by-step photo instructions.
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