Our Favorite Pork Tenderloin Recipes (2024)

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Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Gordon Sawyer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Some nights, all you want is a simple, satisfying meat-and-potatoes meal you know the whole family will love—that's where this easy one-dish dinner comes in. A cast-iron skillet is ideal for preparing this budget-friendly, weeknight supper, as it will provide the best caramelization on the pork and potatoes.

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Credit: Photography: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

A sweet and savory peach glaze caramelizes on the pork as it cooks to perfection in a grill pan. We cut the tenderloin in half crosswise for easier maneuvering and faster cooking, and we tent the pork with foil to hold in more heat while it's in the pan. You could also use a cast-iron skillet if you don't have a grill pan.

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Credit: Caitlin Bensel

The Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas and collard greens in the New Year is a delicious one, though not remotely quick enough for a weeknight. Until now, that is. Collards fair nicely in a quick sauté; slice into thin ribbons so they wilt quickly and stay tender. Canned black-eyed peas also save time. Pork is a natural pairing for greens and black-eyed peas. Here a lean, perfectly seared pork tenderloin is the star.

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Credit: Greg DuPree

Crushed whole spices create a beautiful crust on a seared and roasted pork tenderloin. You don't need a spice grinder or mortar and pestle; place the peppercorns and coriander seeds in a ziplock bag and crush gently with a small, heavy skillet until very coarsely ground. Refrigerated potatoes are parcooked, saving you oven time. Coat and sear the pork while the oven preheats. Make the yogurt sauce while the pork and potatoes bake.

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Credit: Hector Manuel Sanches; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Use a stainless steel pan instead of a nonstick here, if possible. A stainless surface will better collect fond (also known as browned bits) from the pork, which is then deglazed to lend rich flavor to the mushrooms and onions as they cook.

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Credit: Romulo Yanes; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Match the robust flavors of this dish with a hearty endive or radicchio salad to make the meal feel decidedly Italian.

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Credit: Colin Price; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

We suggest buying poultry blend herbs, which will provide a mix of rosemary and thyme in 1 package (instead of buying 2 separate packages). Be sure to reserve half of the pork for the next day's lunch.

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Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Ginny Branch

This pork tenderloin whips up fast. In just 30 minutes, this outstanding BBQ pork dish is ready to serve.

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Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

This one-dish pork tenderloin entree is perfect for fall. Sweet spices coat lean pork tenderloin, while apples get a savory treatment with shallots and thyme. Serve with a spinach salad.

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Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Two teaspoons of smoked paprika may seem like a lot, but it will help to form a nice crust on the pork as it sears in the pan. You can also sub 1 teaspoon ground cumin plus 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder.

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Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Paige Hicks

This dish comes together in just one pan, making for quick cleanup and tons of flavor as the elements build on each other. Each compo­nent contains just 5 ingredients or fewer (oil, salt, and black pepper are freebies). Anchovies add depth to the peppers, but you can omit them if you like.

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Credit: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Claire Spollen

This simple pork supper is a one-skillet wonder--it'll be your new go-to meal on busy weeknights. The green onions become tender and slightly sweet as they roast, a nice contrast to the spiced pork and crispy potatoes.

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Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower, Claire Spollen

We cut the tenderloin in half before grilling for a nicely charred crust and a juicy inside in half the time.

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Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Using jelly rather than preserves in the glaze helps maintain a smooth texture, but you can use either. Instead of grape, try strawberry, cherry, red currant, or even jellied cranberry sauce.

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Credit: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Kevin Crafts

Charmaine Rone, a reader from Redwood City, California, created this when she couldn't find a quick, easy, and delicious recipe for cooking pork tenderloin. We cut the tenderloin in half so it fits easily in a frying pan and cooks even faster.

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Credit: Jason Varney; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Broiling broccoli rabe makes it nice and crisp while imparting a great charred flavor. Sub chopped broccoli, if you wish, and serve with lemon wedges.

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Credit: Annabelle Breakey

When they're sliced thin or slivered, raw beets are very refreshing. A tangy dressing counterbalances their earthiness.

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Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Tender, moist, and fragrant, this hearty pork tenderloin with rosemary and garlic is a breeze to prepare.

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