Description
Sweet, and juicy, with warm spices and a caramelized crust, this is an easy but elegant way of preparing perfect pork tenderloin, every time.
Ingredients
1.5–2 lbs pork tenderloin (680-900 g)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (100 g)
2 tbsp grainy Dijon mustard
2 tbsp white vinegar
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp maple syrup
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp allspice
1–2 tbsp canola oil, for searing
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pork Tenderloin
- Rinse the pork tenderloin under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Place the tenderloin into a large zip-top plastic bag.
2. Make the Marinade
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, honey, maple syrup, chopped garlic, black pepper, and allspice until smooth.
- Reserve 5 tablespoons of the marinade for later use.
3. Marinate the Pork
- Pour the remaining marinade into the zip-top bag with the pork.
- Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and massage the marinade into the pork to coat it thoroughly.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
4. Prepare for Cooking
- Remove the marinated pork from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
- Place the tenderloin on a wire rack over a baking sheet and let it rest uncovered. This will help dry the surface for better browning.
5. Sear the Pork
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat 1–2 tablespoons of canola oil in a large oven-safe skillet (such as cast iron) over medium-high heat.
- Remove the pork from the marinade and let any excess drip off (discard the bag and marinade).
- Sear the pork on all sides, about 1–2 minutes per side, until it develops a golden-brown crust. This should take about 5 minutes in total.
6. Roast the Pork
- Transfer the skillet with the seared pork directly into the preheated oven.
- Roast for 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145°F (63°C) when measured with a meat thermometer (the temperature will continue to rise as you let the meat rest).
7. Rest the Pork Uncovered
- Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the pork to a cutting board.
- Let the pork rest uncovered for at least 10 minutes to maintain its crust and redistribute the juices.
8. Slice and Serve
- Slice the pork tenderloin across the grain into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
- Drizzle the reserved marinade over the slices for added flavor before serving.
Notes
This recipe makes for a juicy and slightly pink center to the pork tenderloin. If you do not want a pink center, allow the tenderloin to cook to 160°F (70°C).
For an extra garlicky flavor, add roasted garlic to the reserved marinade before drizzling it on the pork.
This recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Marinating Time: Overnight
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 140g
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg