15 Pork Tenderloin Recipes for Quick Weeknight Dinners and Easy Entertaining

Juicy and versatile, it's one of our favorite cuts.

roast pork with fennel chile olives
Photo: Ryan Liebe

Pork tenderloin is one of our favorite cuts; it's tasty, tender, and affordable. We love it roasted, stuffed and roasted, or 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. 

Ahead, discover our best recipes that showcase the versatility of this juicy, flavorful, and quick-cooking cut of meat. 

01 of 15

Pork Tenderloin With Kale Salad

Pork Tenderloin with Kale Salad
Con Poulos

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 as bone-in and boneless, weighing between 2 and 5 pounds.

02 of 15

Gingery Pork-and-Broccoli Stir-Fry

pork-and-broccoli stir-fry
Marcus Nilsson

Cutting pork tenderloin into thin slices means it cooks as fast as the other ingredients in this colorful, flavorful stir fry—and dinner will be ready in 30 minutes. 

03 of 15

Pork Cutlets Parmesan

pork cutlet parmesan
Chris Simpson; Recipes by Greg Lofts; Art Direction by James Maikowski; Food Styling by Greg Lofts; Prop Styling by Tanya Graff

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 give them a crunchy panko coating. It's especially delicious paired with tomato sauce and mozzarella and broiled until the cheese melts.

04 of 15

Sage-and-Garlic-Crusted Pork Tenderloin

mla102187_0107_pork.jpg

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) compliments the flavor of the meat.

05 of 15

Pork, Mushroom, and Artichoke Fricassee

pork mushroom artichoke fricassee
Julia Gartland

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.

06 of 15

Quick Pork Goulash

Quick Pork Goulash recipe
Lennart Weibull

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. 

07 of 15

Pork and Plums

pork medallion in skillet
Jonathan Lovekin

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.

08 of 15

Pork With Persimmons and Mustard Greens

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William Brinson

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.

09 of 15

Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin With Grilled Apricots

honey-glazed pork tenderloin with grilled apricots served on a white platter
Elizabeth Cecil

With coriander and ginger, this sweet and lightly spiced pork tenderloin is a fantastic entree for a summer dinner party. Grilled apricots make a lovely accompaniment.

10 of 15

Pork Tenderloin With Summer-Squash Couscous

pork-tenderloin-and-couscous-with-zucchini-card-103-d112910.jpg
Bryan Gardner

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!

11 of 15

Pork Wellington With Prosciutto and Spinach-Mushroom Stuffing

pork wellington with prosciutto and spinach mushroom stuffing
Lennart Weibull

For a dinner that's a real showstopper, try this pork tenderloin, which is stuffed with sauteed mushrooms and spinach. The meat is then wrapped in prosciutto and puff pastry. The finished dish is impressive in both looks and taste!

12 of 15

Grilled Pork and Pineapple Tacos

grilled pork and pineapple tacos
Sidney Bensimon

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.

13 of 15

Orange Pork With Watercress Rice

orange pork with watercress rice
Armando Rafael

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.

14 of 15

Spicy Pork-and-Pineapple Stir-Fry

pork and pineapple stir fry
Justin Walker

Pork and pineapple prove their affinity for one another yet again in this tasty meal. Green beans and bell pepper add to the colorful dish and boost the nutrition, too.

15 of 15

Pork Schnitzel Medallions

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.

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