Easy Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin with a Honey Balsamic Glaze

Name: Cast Iron Skillet Pork Tenderloin
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 1-pound pork tenderloins; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 2 teaspoons paprika; 2 teaspoons dried rosemary; 1 teaspoon granulated garlic; 3 cloves minced garlic; 3 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard

This cast iron skillet pork tenderloin is one of those truly easy dinners that look and taste special but takes hardly any time. A golden crust from a hot skillet, a super delicious glaze, and only one pan to wash at the end. Amen.

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close up of sliced pork tenderloin in skillet.

This is a great weeknight dinner. Quick, easy, and everyone will love it. As long as you don’t overcook it!

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Do not overcook your meat! Pork does not have to be cooked to death, and it will be dry if you do! Use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 145℉.

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Equipment

12-inch cast iron skillet
Meat thermometer (To make sure it’s cooked just right – juicy and not dry. Don’t overcook!)
Tongs
small bowl (for mixing spice rub)
Whisk (for sauce)
Paper Towels (for drying the pork tenderloin)

Ingredients

2 1-pound pork tenderloins
1 tablespoon olive oil

Spice Rub

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 teaspoon granulated garlic

Sauce

3 cloves minced garlic
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (Try to find a thick, aged balsamic for a stronger flavor. There’s no real good substitute for this ingredient.)
1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard

If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin

Step One: Preheat The Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Step Two: Prepare The Pork Tenderloins

Pat the pork tenderloins dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture and get a nice searing crust. Combine the salt, black pepper, paprika, dried rosemary, and granulated garlic in a small bowl. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the tenderloins, making sure they are thoroughly coated.

Step Three: Sear

Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it’s hot and just starting to smoke. Then, add the olive oil and carefully place the pork tenderloins in the skillet. Sear the tenderloins on all sides for 1-2 minutes per side until they develop a deep golden-brown crust. Try not to move the tenderloins too much to allow proper browning.

Step Four: Roast

Transfer the skillet directly into the preheated oven. Roast the tenderloins for 15 minutes.

Step Five: Make The Sauce

While the pork is roasting, mix the minced garlic, honey, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl to create the sauce.

Step Six: Brush With Sauce And Finish Roasting

After 15 minutes, remove the skillet from the oven (use oven mitts!) and generously brush the tenderloins with the sauce on all sides. Return the skillet to the oven and roast for 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the tenderloins reaches 145°F when checked with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part.

sauce made and brushed over pork tenderloins in skillet.

Step Seven: Let The Pork Rest

Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pork tenderloins rest in the pan for at least 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is juicy and flavorful.

Step Eight: Serve

Slice the tenderloins and serve with extra sauce and pan drippings from the skillet. Enjoy!

finished dish with whole clove of garlic.

Storage Instructions

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

To reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F, place the pork tenderloin in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

Alternatively, you can reheat the pork tenderloin in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through.

What to Serve with Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin

I like to serve this with a simple green veggie, like a salad or steamed green beans.
Make some homemade French bread to soak up the sauce.
Add a side of scalloped white cheddar potatoes.

Questions and Troubleshooting

Can I use a different type of pan if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?

You can use any oven-safe skillet or baking dish that can withstand high heat. But, really, you should get one!

Can I adjust the spice level of the recipe?

This recipe is not spicy. If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can also add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper to the spice rub.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to use, simply whisk the sauce to combine and brush it onto the pork tenderloin as instructed.

More Pork Recipes

If you love cooking with cast iron, don’t miss these cast iron skillet pork chops.
Try cooking pork in a smoker with this smoked pork tenderloin recipe.
Pair with apples in the fall for crockpot pork chops with spiced apples.
Slow cooker sweet pork is perfect for tacos and burritos.
Try a creamy sauce in this pork chops with spinach cream sauce recipe.