I have to admit, I wasn’t always a pork lover. Gimme oven baked bacon any (every) day of the week, but other cuts of pork… I wasn’t a fan. But readers were asking me for more keto pork recipes, so who am I not to oblige? 😉 I’m pleased to say, this baked pork tenderloin recipe, and later pan seared pork chops, have turned me into a growing pork fan. Seasoned simply with a flavorful marinade, this rosemary garlic pork tenderloin comes out super juicy and tender. Did I mention it’s ready in just 20 minutes? It’s a great fast weeknight meal, yet tastes like you put a lot of effort in. I served it for a bunch of our friends in a table spread with many other dishes, and it was the first to disappear.
What Is Pork Tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin (not to be confused with pork loin!) is a cut of pork that comes from the muscle that runs along the backbone. It is a boneless and lean cut that is very tender if you cook it quickly.
How To Season Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin can be seasoned very simply (with salt and pepper), or a little more complex. This keto pork tenderloin marinade is made with olive oil, garlic, fresh rosemary, Italian seasoning, lemon zest, and the standard salt and pepper. (You could also use pork chop seasoning instead if you like.) And, it doesn’t require actually letting the tenderloin sit in the marinade. Brushing it on quickly means no advance prep needed! To make it, simply stir all these ingredients together in a small bowl, and brush onto the tenderloin:
Not including the salt and pepper (pantry staples), you need just 5 ingredients for the marinade in this rosemary pork tenderloin recipe. Super easy!
How To Cook Pork Tenderloin In The Oven
After the rosemary pork tenderloin marinade is done, the method for cooking pork tenderloin in the oven is similar to cooking steak in the oven. You start by searing it, then bake to finish cooking:
Preheat the oven. Heat a cast iron pan on the stove top until very hot. Sear the tenderloin to get a nice golden crust. Bake until cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes. This ensures a super juicy pork tenderloin!
TIP: We’re using a cast iron skillet so that we can go from stove top to oven in the same pan.
How Long To Bake Pork Tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin baking time in the oven will vary depending on the thickness of your tenderloin, but typically takes about 10-15 minutes in the oven after searing it. TIP: I recommend using a cooking alarm thermometer, so that you don’t over cook your baked tenderloin.
What Temp To Cook Pork Tenderloin?
We’re cooking this rosemary garlic pork tenderloin at 400 degrees F. Higher heat allows it to cook quickly, which is key for a tender result.
What Temperature Is Pork Tenderloin Done?
Baked tenderloin should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Let it rest for 5 minutes after baking – a must to keep it juicy! It will increase by an additional 5 degrees while resting.
Can Pork Tenderloin Be Pink?
Yes, pork tenderloin should still be a little pink inside when cooked properly.
What To Do With Leftover Pork Tenderloin
If you find yourself with any garlic pork tenderloin recipe leftovers, here are a few ways to use it!
Tacos – Pick your taco shell and pick your toppings! This post has everything you need to know to make a delicious garlic pork tenderloin taco! Sandwiches – Make your favorite keto bread and add a slather of mayo. It’s rosemary tenderloin sandwich perfection! Low Carb Chicken Enchiladas – Simply swap out the garlic roasted pork tenderloin for the chicken in this enchiladas recipe. Zucchini Casserole – Originally made with chicken, this zucchini casserole will be just as delicious with this roast pork tenderloin recipe. Wraps – Pork tenderloin recipes are similar to chicken breast, so they make great fillings for wraps. I love keto cheese wraps or almond flour tortillas. Caesar Salad – Swap the chicken in this super easy homemade salad with sliced pork tenderloin.
How To Reheat Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin can be reheated in the microwave or in a hot skillet, just until heated through. When cooking pork tenderloin, it’s important to not overcook it, so just reheat it until it’s hot.
Can You Freeze Pork Tenderloin?
Yes, any leftovers of this keto pork tenderloin recipe can be frozen. Wrap well in freezer bags and store in the freezer for 4-6 months. However, it’s so quick to make and so easy to reuse leftovers that there isn’t much reason to make it ahead to freeze. You may want to just freeze an uncooked tenderloin without baking it instead, then thaw and make this recipe when you are ready.
How Much Pork Tenderloin Per Person?
The recommended serving is 3 ounces, but I would round that up to 4 ounces to make things easy. 😉 While it’s plenty of protein, it won’t look like a lot on a plate, so if you want to be on the safe side, count on 1/2 pound (8 ounces) per person to be sure to have enough! TIP: You can easily double this recipe in one pan if you need more servings.
What Goes With Pork Tenderloin?
Easy pork tenderloin dinner recipes like this one can be the main for so many meals! Here are some of my favorite low carb sides to go with it:
Southern Fried Cabbage – This flavorful cabbage is probably the tastiest way to eat cabbage. 🙂 It’s so good and perfect with the rosemary pork tenderloin. Whole Roasted Cauliflower – Roast the cauliflower while you are prepping the pork. It’s a hands-off dinner. Rutabaga Fries – It’s time to rethink rutabaga and give it another try with this recipe. You’ll be surprised how similar these are to potatoes! Keto Mashed Cauliflower – Baked pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes are a perfect pair. (And no one will even realize that the potatoes are missing in this cauliflower mash, it’s that good!) Oven Roasted Mushrooms – These easy mushrooms have a delicious balsamic flavor.
Marinade Brush – To ensure that the marinade for rosemary pork tenderloin is evenly distributed, use a marinade brush. Cast Iron Skillet – This baked pork tenderloin is seared on the stove before heading to the oven, and this cast iron skillet can do both. Cooking Alarm Thermometer – The best (and really only!) way to tell if your keto pork tenderloin is cooked to the proper temperature.
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