Tiana Walters 
This is an end-all for any pork tenderloin recipe you’ll ever need. Yes, I’m that confident in it. Perfectly Baked Pork Tenderloin is seared and then roasted with butternut squash all in one pan. Easy enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough for a special evening.
Is Pork Tenderloin Healthy?
When it comes to lean meats, most people assume skinless chicken breast is the number one choice. While this familiar poultry staple is indeed a great option, pork tenderloin is an often times overlooked yet equally healthy cut rich in B vitamins and other essential nutrients.
Choosing wholesome and nutritious food is the key to any great meal but remember: it’s only as healthy as you make it! With that said, please stop buying preseasoned/marinaded meats. These concoctions are full of preservatives and terrible ingredients that will ruin even the healthiest food.
This recipe is easy peasy and will give you the results you are looking for in no time. No marinading required.
What You’ll Need?
For this recipe, you’ll need a 12 inch cast iron skillet or oven-safe 12-inch skillet. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet yet, what are you waiting for? Seriously! If you need help or have any questions about cast irons, please feel free to reach out in the comment below
What to Pair With Pork Tenderloin?
Butternut squash is a great option. It sings through the heavily seasoned Pork with a lightly sweet and creamy flavor from roasting in the pan juices.
Butternut Squash can easily be ignored in the grocery stores. It’s big and hard to work with. Well, because of COVID-19 hitting the US pretty hard these past few weeks, that is precisely why there was some left in my grocery store! I laugh internally at some of the things people have been overlooking that can be real gems.
If you find yourself with extra butternut squash or maybe just wanting to try it with other meals, check out my Dairy Free and Whole 30, Butternut Shrimp Bisque. So creamy, dreamy, and YUMMY!
Yall remember The Best Collard Greens Ever? Well, this dish pairs perfectly with those!
Substitutions
I know times are a little weird right now. You can alternatively do this with any vegetable you have on hand. I’ve done it with broccoli, potatoes, and squash just to name a few.
No Pork Tenderloin? No problem! The seasoning is fantastic and one of my go-to’s for other cuts of pork and poultry. Great on veggies too!
What Temperature to Cook Pork to?
Pork Tenderloin is a tender and juicy cut of meat which makes it great for a weight-conscious dinner, but be very careful. It can be overcooked and become dry and chewy quickly. If you aren’t comfortable with the finger test, I would recommend getting a food thermometer. They are cheap and will save your jaw in the long run.
Thanks to changes in the way pigs are raised, it is no longer necessary to cook Pork until it is dry, gray, and chewy to prevent illnesses once associated with consuming undercooked pork.
The National Pork Board recommends cooking pork tenderloin to an internal temperature of 145° F.
How Long Do You Let Pork Rest?
LET YOUR MEAT REST! All that effort just goes down the drain, literally, when you cut into your meat right when you take it off heat. I let my Perfectly Baked Pork Tenderloin rest for 8-10 minutes. It will still be warm and wonderfully juicy.
How Long Does Pork Tenderloin Last?
You can store Perfectly Baked Pork Tenderloin for 3-5 days in the fridge. You can also throw leftovers in a plastic bag and chunk in the freezer for later use.
What to Do With Leftover Pork?
Think about a Cubano for lunch or crisp some diced pork in fried rice with kimchi and top with a fried egg and green onions.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to tag me on IG @love.your.taste.buds and please rate or comment on the recipe below. This helps my food get into other people’s hands. Thank you, and enjoy!
Perfectly Baked Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
Seasoning *see note
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Perfectly Baked Pork Tenderloin
- 1 1/2 lb pork tenderloin *see note
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 cups butternut squash
Instructions
- Make seasoning mix and store in airtight jar. Can be saved and used for months.
- Cut and dice butternut squash and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 450.
- Remove pork tenderloin from the fridge and pat dry. For best results let pork sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Then using one hand to sprinkle seasoning mix and the other hand to pack and rub in the seasoning on the pork. Make sure to get all sides and ends.
- Next heat up your cast iron or oven safe skillet on med. Once pan is hot crank the heat up to med-high and add avocado oil. Place pork tenderloin in skillet and cook on all sides for 3 minutes or until browned.
- Once browned turn off the heat and add butternut squash to one side of the pan tossing it around in pan juices and sprinkle with salt. Place skillet in the oven. Cook for 10-15 mins or until internal temperature reaches 145. Remove from pan and place pork tenderloin on a cutting board to let meat rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice and serve.
