Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is the leanest pork meat and it is as low in saturated fat as chicken breasts, hence is a hit with a lot of people. Often pork is made more flavorful either by marinating or seasoning it before cooking. There are very few people who can finish pork tenderloin, therefore, the leftovers are often used in many other different dishes. However, it makes an ideal dinner for two. According to me, grilling pork tenderloin is the best way to eat pork tenderloin. There are several recipes to make marinade for pork tenderloin which I use to alter the taste. In this article, we will see some of the pork recipes.

How to Marinate Pork Tenderloin

When you are cooking pork tenderloin that is not marinated, it is important you do not overcook the meat, else the tenderloin will become very dry and will not taste all that good. Using a meat thermometer is the best option.

Lemon Garlic Marinade for Pork Tenderloin
This is my favorite recipe for marinated pork tenderloin, as it is able to retain its natural flavors the most as compared to most other recipes.

Ingredients

• Lemon Zest (grated) 1
• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice ¾ cup
• Olive Oil ½ cup + 3 tablespoons
• Minced Garlic 2 tablespoons
• Fresh Rosemary Leaves 1½ tablespoons
• Fresh Thyme Leaves 1 tablespoon
• Mustard 2 teaspoons
• Kosher Salt as per taste
• Pork Tenderloins 3
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper as per taste

Method

• In a large resealable plastic bag, mix lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary leaves, thyme, mustard and about 2 teaspoons of kosher salt.
• Then add pork tenderloin to it and shake well, so that the marinade coats the pork well.
• Squeeze the air out of the bag and seal it.
• Let the pork marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 to 3½ hours, however, overnight is better.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and remove the tenderloin from the marinade.
• Discard the marinade, however, do not remove the herbs that are clinging to the meat.
• Sprinkle generous amount of salt and pepper on the meat.
• In a large oven proof pan heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat and sear the tenderloin on all sides till they are golden brown in color.
• Remove the pan from heat and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat.
• Now place the pan in the preheated oven and roast the tenderloin for 10 to 15 minutes, till the reading on the meat thermometer registers 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the tenderloin from the oven and cover them with aluminum foil and let rest for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Carve diagonal slices, season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

Honey Garlic Ginger Marinade for Pork Tenderloin
The flavors of pork come out best when combined with honey, soy, ginger and garlic. Apple juice in the marinade enhances the taste of the pork.

Ingredients

• Soy Sauce ¼ cup
• Apple Juice ¼ cup
• Garlic Cloves (minced) 4 cloves
• Fresh Ginger Root (minced) 1 tablespoon
• Sesame Oil 2 teaspoons
• Pork Tenderloin 1½ pounds
• Honey ½ cup
• Cider Vinegar 1 tablespoon
• Salt ½ teaspoon

Method

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine soy sauce, apple juice, minced ginger and ginger root, sesame oil.
• Add pork to the marinade and press air out of the bag and seal.
• Shake the bag to coat the tenderloin thoroughly and place it in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, but overnight is better.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, remove pork from the bag and discard the marinade.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk honey, vinegar and salt together.
• Brush pork with this honey mixture and place it on a rack in a roasting pan, but do not forget to insert the meat thermometer.
• Let it roast for about 35 minutes, till the meat thermometer reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Read on pork loin cooking time.
• Remove the pork and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before you carve it.

For more information, read

• Boneless Pork Chop Recipes
• Pork Loin Roast Recipe
• Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe
• Pork Sirloin Roast Recipe

Now that you know the recipe to make pork tenderloin, when do you plan to make it the next? I would recommend you let the pork marinate overnight, for the flavors to develop better.