With a simple spice rub and a delicious honey balsamic sauce, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s also quick and easy to make.
Table of contents
❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe
- The pork tenderloin turns out juicy and flavorful, with a perfect browned crust from the cast iron that adds texture and flavor to the dish.
- The recipe is easy to follow and doesn’t require much prep time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights (or if you just don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen.)
- The spice rub and honey balsamic sauce are delicious and perfectly complement the pork tenderloin, adding a sweet and tangy flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.
You’ll need the following for this simple pork dinner:
- pork tenderloins
- olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
- paprika
- dried rosemary
- granulated garlic
- minced garlic
- honey
- balsamic vinegar
- Dijon mustard
🍴Instructions
Step One: prep the meat
Preheat the oven to 400℉.
Pat dry the pork tenderloins with a paper towel. This removes excess moisture from the meat, allowing it to brown and cook evenly.
In a small bowl, mix together the spice rub ingredients. Season the tenderloins with the spice rub on all sides. Don’t be shy!
Step Two: sear and roast
Heat a 12” cast iron pan over medium-high heat until smoking. Add in the olive oil and tenderloins. Sear the tenderloins for 1-2 minutes on all sides. Searing the meat creates a nice brown crust, which adds flavor and texture to the dish.
Roast the tenderloins in the preheated oven (directly in the cast iron pan) for 15 minutes. This allows the meat to cook inside without burning the outside
Step three: make the sauce as the meat oven roasts
While the tenderloins are cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
Step Four: brush on sauce and finish cooking in oven
After roasting for 15 minutes, remove the tenderloins from the oven and brush on the sauce on all sides.
Return them to the oven for another 5-10 minutes or until the tenderloins reach an internal temperature of 145℉. This ensures that the meat is cooked through and safe to eat.
Step Five: rest, slice, serve
Let the tenderloins rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and juicy.
Serve with any extra sauce and pan drippings.
🥫 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.
🔍 FAQs
You can use any oven-safe skillet or baking dish that can withstand high heat. But, really, you should get one!
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
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.
👩🏻🍳 Expert tips
- 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℉.
- Pat the pork tenderloin dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking. This will help the meat develop a nice crust.
- Allow the pork tenderloin to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and juicy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing the pork tenderloin. Overcrowding can cause the meat to steam instead of sear, resulting in a less flavorful crust.
📘 Related Recipes
🍽 Serve it with
- Homemade French Bread
- Scalloped White Cheddar Potatoes
- A simple green veggie, like a salad or steamed green beans
- Pear Cobbler for dessert!
📖 Here’s the recipe
Cast Iron Skillet Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
- cast iron skillet
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
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Using a paper towel, pat dry the tenderloins. In a small bowl, mix together the spice rub ingredients. Season the tenderloins with the spice rub on all sides.
- Heat a 12” cast iron pan over medium high heat until smoking. Add in the olive oil and tenderloins. Sear the tenderloins for 1-2 minutes on all sides.
- Roast the tenderloins in the preheated oven (directly in the cast iron pan) for 15 minutes. While they are cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- After roasting for 15 minutes, remove the tenderloins from the oven and brush on the sauce on all sides, roast again for another 5-10 minutes or until the tenderloins reach an internal temperature of 145℉.
- Let the tenderloins rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve with any extra sauce and pan drippings.
Very dry. Followed recipe. The outside looked marvelous.
Should I have covered it when resting too seal in the juices?
No I never cover it while resting. The only thing I can thing is what your tenderloins were too small or or you extended the cooking time. I’ve never had these come out dry! No sure what happened with yours 🙁
Would it be possible to sear the pork tenderloins on the outside gas grill in a cast iron pan then into house oven to prevent the smoke and grease stove top while entertaining 12 guests? Or do you have any other suggestions?
cindy that would work just fine! for 12 guests you’ll want to double or triple the recipe btw. 🙂
This recipe was so easy and delicious. I’ve only ever made pulled pork in the crockpot. Making this again for dinner!
Thank you Sabrina! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I made this recipe and it was so easy. I was specifically looking for a recipe on how to use my new cast iron pan and it worked out perfectly. I like my meat well done so I added 5 minutes extra baking time to each of the instructions and it was perfect. Worthy of serving to company.
So glad you liked it Susan! We make it allllll the time exactly because it’s so easy!