JUICY Roast Pork Tenderloin

Roast Pork Tenderloin is incredibly easy to make but oh SO flavorful and tender! The meat is seasoned with the very best brown sugar blend, then baked to absolute perfection in about 20 minutes.

Enjoy more delicious pork recipes like Smothered Pork Chops, Sweet and Sour Pork and this Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin Recipe.

Pork tenderloin might just be one of my favorite proteins to work with! It’s so versatile and easy to cook. With that being said, it’s got a bad rep for being on the blander side and it’s easy to dry out.

After years of prepping this meat, I can guarantee you that this recipe is anything but bland and it always cooks to juicy, tender perfection!

My not-so-secret ingredients to perfectly roasted pork tenderloin is brown sugar. I love the hint of sweet and it helps it to bake up nice and golden brown.

Why we love this Roast Pork Tenderloin:

• Classic: You’ll find no unnecessary frills here. Just all of the flavor you want with minimal, easy steps.
• Versatile: When it comes to side dishes to plate with roasted pork tenderloin, really anything goes! Scroll down to the serving suggestions to see a few of my favorites.
• Bold: The brown sugar combines beautifully with the garlic powder, Italian seasoning and more to create a bold balance of flavors.

Roast Pork Tenderloin Ingredients Needed:

• Pork Tenderloin – Note that tenderloin and pork loin are NOT the same thing! A pork loin is a much larger cut of meat and will require a much longer cook time. 
• Oil – Use a neutral flavored oil, like canola or avocado.
• Brown Sugar – In a pinch, you can make your own brown sugar simply by combining 1 cup of white granulated sugar with 1 tbsp of molasses.
• Seasonings – A medley of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, ground mustard and seasoning salt create the very best flavor!

How to make the best Pork Tenderloin recipe:

Take a look at just how simple this process really is! For more details about ingredient measurements and the steps, scroll to the bottom of this page to find the recipe card.

• Make the seasoning blend by combining the seasoning salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, ground mustard and pepper in a bowl.
• Trim the pork tenderloins and place them in a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish. Brush with oil, then rub the seasoning blend all over the pork and press it firmly into the meat.

• Bake for 17-20 minutes at 400°F. You’ll want to bake until a meat thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (medium-rare) to 160°F (well done).
• Let the tenderloins sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Variations and Substitutions

• Add vegetables: Add some veggies to the pan to make this a full meal deal! Anything that you can roast quickly, in about the same time as the pork, will be great on here. Broccoli, green beans, peppers, etc.
• Be careful with potatoes and carrots: I don’t recommend adding potatoes or carrots for this recipe as those tend to take 30-40 minutes to roast, but if you do want to add them, just start off with the veggies and add the pork about half way through.
• Add a sauce: This roasted pork tenderloin recipe includes a basic — although incredibly delicious on its own — brown sugar rub that I use in a lot of different meat recipes! It’s a great starter, so feel free to add other flavors or sauces to it once you’re done cooking — BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, whatever flavors you enjoy with pork will work well.

How to store Roast Pork Tenderloin

Leftover pork tenderloin will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I like to add a splash of water or broth, cover and reheat in the oven until warmed through for the best results. The microwave also works just fine!

No matter how you choose to reheat your cooked pork tenderloin, try to not overdo it. If you reheat it for too long, you risk it drying out.

Can I freeze Roast Pork Tenderloin?

Absolutely! Just let it fully cool to room temperature first, then store the roast pork tenderloin in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Prior to reheating, allow the meat to defrost in the fridge for a few hours.

Can I make this pork tenderloin recipe in the slow cooker?

Pork tenderloin is wonderful out of the slow cooker!

Try my Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic sauce or Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Sauce if you’re looking for a Crockpot recipe.

Can I make this pork tenderloin recipe in the Instant Pot?

Pork tenderloin cooks up moist and delicious and so quickly in the Instant Pot!

Check out my recipe for Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin here if you want to cook your pork tenderloin in the pressure cooker.

Serving suggestions:

This is such a versatile recipe — really anything goes!

I love serving with a potato dish like these Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Twice Baked Potatoes or this Easy Potato Salad if the weather is warm!

This Layered Broccoli Salad, my Air Fryer Green Beans, and Roasted Carrots are great if you want to add some color to your plate.

More Pork Tenderloin Recipes You’ll Love

• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin — it cooks SO quickly!
• Pork Tenderloin Marinade — great for summer grilling.
• Honey Balsamic Pork Tenderloin — a mostly hands off recipe with a delicious sauce.
• 15 Best Pork Tenderloin Recipes — see more pork tenderloin recipes here.