Baked Pork Tenderloin – Crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside and full of flavor! This easy healthy sheet pan protein comes in clutch for weeknight family dinners! It’s simply the BEST Baked Pork Tenderloin.
Originally published on July 3, 2019. Last updated on August 25, 2020.
Paleo Pork Tenderloin
Once you’re devoured this amazing Baked Pork Tenderloin, be sure to make my Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze (which is another fan favorite!). Next feast on the every popular Korean Beef and Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli!
It’s no secret that I love pork. It’s just so versatile and such a great vehicle for flavor and this recipe represents those qualities so well. For an easy weeknight dinner you can’t beat this easy Baked Pork Tenderloin!
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Whole30 Pork Tenderloin
There just is nothing quite like baked pork tenderloin. It’s so easy to make and easily takes on whatever flavors you desire. On the grill, in the Instant Pot, or the slow cooker, it’s truly easy no matter how you choose to make it.
What makes this the best Paleo Pork Tenderloin?
My favorite thing about baked pork tenderloin though, is the crispy outside and juicy inside. This tenderloin is beautiful with it’s golden brown exterior flecked in spices that give it awesome texture but it’s when you taste it that you will know why this is your new go-to pork tenderloin recipe!
You get a little bit of crunch from the outside then your mouth fills with juices from the tender pork combined with the flavor of the spices used and it’s a real winner EVERY time you make it!
Whenever I’m creating a recipe I’m always thinking about flavor. How to add flavor, how to balance flavors and how to use flavors that aid in creating more (you guessed it!) flavor! Finished with Salt is not bland food, we LOVE flavor. So one of the key ingredients in this recipe is the lemon juice! The small amount may seem relatively insignificant but it is truly vital to the flavor of this recipe!
Lemon juice brings the acid to the table. It brings a slightly tangy note as well as (here’s the best part), the acid helps the rest of the flavors to be infused into the meat which makes it juicy. SO important!
For the other spices, I keep it simple but choose specific ones that bring harmony to the dish. I combined garlic powder, cumin, salt, dried basil, dried oregano, dried rosemary, dried thyme, smoked paprika and black pepper. I’m crazy for herbs and the smoked paprika adds a welcomed smokiness to the pork that is very tasty.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s so simple. No marinating, no searing, just oil, add the lemon juice, pat on the spices and bake! Truly the perfect easy weeknight dinner.
What Should the Internal Temperature of Pork Be
There’s been some debate about what the internal temperature of pork needs to be and while many say it must reach at least an internal temperature of 145 degrees fahrenheit, I still recommend 160 degrees. At this temperature the pork is still nice and juicy and tender but cooked through without any pink.
What Sides Go Well With Pork Tenderloin?
My favorite side dishes for this recipe are:
- Whole30 Mashed Potatoes – These super classic mashed potatoes are perfectly creamy while being gluten and dairy free. They give you all the comfort food vibes we all enjoy while being good for you. And if you’re making mashed potatoes you’re probably also going to want the BEST Gravy too!
- Roasted Radishes – If you’ve never made roasted radishes before I should tell you, they are NOTHING like raw radishes with their sharp bite. Roasting them makes them reminiscent of a potato, different but very mild and creamy on the inside.
- Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts – I love these brussels with just about anything! The combination of bacon and balsamic makes them sing and they are practically a meal in themselves.
- Roasted Asparagus Recipe – Hands down the easiest side and also one of my main go-to’s is roasted asparagus! Do not judge asparagus before trying it THIS way! It’s so tasty, nutty and slightly crispy on the tips from how it’s cooked. It’s my family’s absolute favorite!
My family gobbled up this recipe and it will be on repeat here in our weekly quick and easy meal rotations. Be sure to let me know in the comments below how your family enjoyed it!
*See the recipe card below for pork tenderloin nutrition facts.
More Healthy Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze
- Carnitas Sweet Potato Sliders
- Apple Cider Pulled Pork
- Whole30 Instant Pot Cuban Roast Pork
- Whole30 Instant Pot Chipotle Pork Carnitas
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PrintBaked Pork Tenderloin {Whole30, Paleo, Grain Free}
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Whole30
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Baked Pork Tenderloin – Crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside and full of flavor! This easy healthy sheet pan protein comes in clutch for weeknight family dinners! It’s simply the BEST Baked Pork Tenderloin.
Ingredients
- 1–2 lb pork tenderloin
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon unrefined sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl combine the dry spices.
- Pierce the tenderloin shallowly with a fork on all sides then rub the avocado oil into the meat.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over top the meat and pat the dry spice blend into all sides of the meat.
- Place the pork tenderloin on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until the outside is crispy and the internal center temperature of the meat reaches 160 degrees F.
- Allow the meat to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
- Slice the tenderloin into 1 inch thick pieces and drizzle any sheet pan juices overtop the meat.
- Serve and enjoy!
Keywords: pork tenderloin, whole30 pork tenderloin, paleo pork tenderloin, paleo pork tenderloin recipes, pork tenderloin nutrition facts,
213
Lori says
This was heavenly. Loved the flavor combination of the spice rub. So Good!!
★★★★★
Nicole says
Isn’t it yummy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Gillian says
This was a huge hit with my family and super easy to make.
★★★★★
Nicole says
I’m glad your family enjoyed it Gillian! I love how easy it is also.
★★★★★
Sara says
So good! My whole family (kids included!) absolutely loved this recipe. This will be a “make again” in the very near future!
★★★★★
Nicole says
Hi Sara! Oh I’m so happy to hear that! So glad your family enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Kate Tafuri says
I made this just because it sounded good (not for Whole30 or anything) and it blew me away. Family really enjoyed it too. So incredibly easy to make too. Will be adding this to our favorite recipes!
★★★★★
Nicole says
Hi Kate! Thank you for your kind words. I aim to make delicious food that also just so happens to be Whole30, Paleo, etc. I’m so glad the whole family enjoyed it!
★★★★★
Marian says
Best pork recipe ever! It was so easy, tasty and juicy! Made recipe as written, didn’t change a thing. Made it as a late Christmas dinner for my 2 neighbors who loved it. It’s a keeper.
★★★★★
Nicole says
Oh thank you for your kind words Marian! I’m so glad to hear you and your neighbors enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Patty says
Delicious!! My family loved this recipe. I plan to make this spice blend up ahead of time for other meats as well.
★★★★★
Nicole says
Hi Patty! So glad your family enjoyed this recipe. Great idea with the spice blend!
★★★★★
Kim says
We’ve made this twice now! Our family of 7 loves it. Thank you!
★★★★★
Nicole says
Hi Kim, I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Meredith says
Can’t believe that I was looking for a quick recipe for a weeknight dinner and stumbled across the absolutely best pork tenderloin ever.
★★★★★
Nicole says
Hi Meredith! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
★★★★★
Lisa says
Delicious! I’m always looking for new Whole 30 recipes and this one did not disappoint! Will definitely be making it again.
★★★★★
Nicole says
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Lisa! Enjoy the rest of your Whole30!
★★★★★
Laurel says
My favorite ever Pork Tenderloin recipe, and it’s Whole 30! The favor was delicious, and the meat was cooked exactly to our liking. This recipe is simple to follow in, and it will definitely be my top choice when preparing pork tenderloin!
★★★★★
Nicole says
Hi Laurel! Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
★★★★★