Pork tenderloin is one of our favorite cuts; it's tasty, tender, and affordable. We love it roasted, stuffed and roasted, and grilled—and that's just a few of the ways we like to cook a tenderloin whole. We also use this versatile piece of meat cut up, whether sliced into medallions, cubed for sautés or stews, or sliced thin for stir fry. Pork tenderloin is lean and has a mild taste, so it takes well to all kinds of seasoning, from a spice rub for roasting to a creamy sauce for stovetop preparation.Â
Ahead, discover our best recipes that showcase the versatility of this juicy, flavorful, and quick-cooking cut of meat.Â
Pork Tenderloin With Kale Salad
This beautiful and healthy dish will become a go-to in your home, as it comes together in under an hour and has fantastic flavor.
Pork Tenderloin vs Pork Loin
When you're shopping for a pork tenderloin, make sure you don't pick up a pork loin. Though their names are very similar, the cuts are not interchangeable. Pork tenderloin is long, thin, and always boneless, generally weighing about 1 pound. Pork loin is a larger cut, available bone-in or boneless, weighing between 2 and 5 pounds.
Gingery Pork and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Cutting pork tenderloin into thin slices means it cooks as quickly as the other ingredients in this colorful, flavorful stir-fry—and dinner will be ready in 30 minutes.Â
Pork Cutlets Parmesan
This pork parm might be better than the veal or chicken versions you've had before. We pound slices of pork tenderloin thin, so they cook fast and get a crunchy panko coating. It's especially delicious when paired with tomato sauce and mozzarella, then broiled until the cheese melts.
Sage and Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin
This recipe yields a juicy, flavorful pork tenderloin that you start on the stovetop and finish in the oven. A simple rub with just a few ingredients (garlic, sage, salt, pepper, and olive oil) complements the meat's flavor.
Pork, Mushroom, and Artichoke Fricassee
A creamy pan sauce envelopes juicy pork tenderloin in this must-make dish. Fricassee is a French dish that’s a cross between a sauté and a stew. And this version, with mushrooms and canned artichokes, tastes like a special meal but takes just 45 minutes from start to table.
Quick Pork Goulash
Need a hearty one-pot dinner that comes together in under an hour? Try this quick goulash. Usually, goulash is made with shoulder roast and needs to simmer slowly to tenderize the meat. When you use pork tenderloin, it cooks in a fraction of the time.Â
Pork and Plums
A one-pan dinner that stars an unlikely-sounding pairing that works so well. The juicy sweetness of the plums is lovely with sliced pork tenderloin—it's also a lot more colorful than the usual fruit pairings for pork, like apples.
Pork With Persimmons and Mustard Greens
Persimmons are a fleeting fall fruit you might not use very often. Here, they roast alongside the pork tenderloin and add sweetness and color to the meat. The mustard greens cook in the same pan on the stovetop while the meat is resting.
Pork Tenderloin With Summer-Squash Couscous
Here's another terrific summer recipe that makes great use of in-season summer squash. It also incorporates scallions and fresh mint, so if you've got access to great produce, this one is a keeper!
Pork Wellington With Prosciutto and Spinach-Mushroom Stuffing
For a dinner that's a real showstopper, try this pork tenderloin stuffed with sautéed mushrooms and spinach. The meat is then wrapped in prosciutto and puff pastry. The finished dish is impressive in both looks and taste!
Grilled Pork and Pineapple Tacos
Pork loin gets a quick chili rub. It's grilled, then sliced, and used to fill tacos—along with grilled pineapple, salsa, onion, and shredded cabbage. It's a delicious route to Taco Tuesday.
Orange Pork With Watercress Rice
This Asian-influenced supper includes rice with peppery watercress and pork amped up with a sauce made from orange marmalade, fish sauce, and lime juice. The sweetness and spice complement each other beautifully.
Spicy Pork-and-Pineapple Stir-Fry
Pork and pineapple prove their affinity for one another yet again in this tasty meal. Green beans and bell pepper add color to the dish and boost its nutrition, too.
Pork Schnitzel Medallions
Everyone will love this fried pork tenderloin dinner. Thin slices of pork tenderloin are dipped in egg and Dijon, then breaded and quickly fried. The result is a crisp medallion of pork that's great with mashed potatoes.
