How to Cook Smithfield Pork Tenderloin in the Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide

Smithfield pork tenderloin is a lean, tasty cut of meat that can be prepared easily in the oven for a quick weeknight dinner. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a delicious roasted pork tenderloin on the table in under an hour. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook Smithfield pork tenderloin in the oven perfectly every time.

Selecting and Preparing the Pork

When purchasing pork tenderloin, look for cuts that are 1-2 pounds each to serve 3-4 people. Smithfield is a popular brand that can be found prepackaged in most grocery stores. For the best flavor, choose pork tenderloins with minimal fat and connective tissue.

Before cooking, rinse the pork under cool water and pat dry completely with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat or silver skin, which is the thin, shiny membrane covering parts of the tenderloin. Removing this will prevent chewy pieces after cooking

Seasoning the Pork Tenderloin

One of the keys to delicious oven-roasted pork is properly seasoning the meat before cooking Here are some simple seasoning ideas

• Dry spice rub: Create a blend using spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, thyme. Coat the pork all over with olive oil first, then pat the rub evenly onto all sides.

• Fresh herb marinade: Chop herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage. Combine with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour over pork in a gallon size zip-top bag and marinate 30-60 minutes.

• Marinates or dressings that are already made: Use Italian dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, or Asian marinade that you can buy at the store. Pour over pork in a bag and let sit 20-30 minutes.

• Mustard coating Slather prepared mustard over all sides of the tenderloin. I like using Dijon, whole grain or stoneground mustards.

Let the seasoned pork rest at room temperature 30 minutes while you preheat the oven. This helps the flavors permeate into the meat.

Oven Roasting Times and Temperatures

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. You want a high temp to quickly sear and brown the exterior.

• Roasting time is approximately 25-35 minutes total for a 1-2 lb tenderloin. This is how I like to roast: 425°F for 15 minutes, then 375°F for the last 10 to 20 minutes.

• Internal temperature should reach 145°F for medium rare, or 160°F for medium doneness. Always use a meat thermometer to check for accuracy.

• Resting after roasting is important! Let pork rest 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.

Step-by-Step Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s walk through a simple recipe from start to finish.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Smithfield pork tenderloin
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄4 tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Rinse pork tenderloins and pat dry with paper towels. Trim away any excess fat or silver skin.

3. Make the marinade: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.

4. Place pork tenderloins in a baking dish and coat all over with the marinade mixture.

5. Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375°F and roast 10-15 minutes more, until internal temperature reaches 145-160°F.

6. Remove dish from oven and tent pork with aluminum foil. Let rest 10-15 minutes.

7. Slice pork crosswise into medallions. Serve warm.

This simple herb marinated pork is delicious paired with roasted potatoes or a green vegetable like broccoli or green beans. Leftovers can be used in tacos, sandwiches, pasta dishes or more. Enjoy this easy oven-roasted Smithfield pork tenderloin!

Tips for Maximizing Flavor

Beyond just the basic seasoning, there are some additional tricks you can use to really bring out the best flavor in your oven-roasted pork tenderloin:

• Brine the meat for 1-2 hours before cooking. This keeps the pork extra moist and infuses seasoning throughout. Good brines include salt, sugar, herbs, and aromatics.

• Sear all sides in a hot skillet before roasting. This caramelizes the exterior and adds deeper, richer flavor.

• Stuff with flavorful fillings like roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, spinach, or apples. Just butterfly the pork open to fill, then tie up with kitchen twine before roasting.

• Baste during roasting. For pork coated in a marinade or mustard, baste during oven roasting to keep the exterior evenly coated.

• Let pork rest sufficiently after roasting so juices can reabsorb for moist, tender meat. Don’t skip this important step!

Top Recipe Variations

The basic oven roasting method works well with a variety of seasonings and flavor pairings. Get creative with these recipe ideas:

• Italian herb crust with parmesan cheese

• Porchetta style – stuffed with garlic, fennel, rosemary

• Mexican dry rubbed with chili powder, cumin, lime

• Greek style with lemon, oregano, garlic, olives

• Apple and sage stuffed with sauteed apples and fresh sage

• Dijon and herb crusted with whole grain mustard, rosemary, thyme

• Brown sugar and spice rubbed with cinnamon, cumin, brown sugar

• Balsamic and fig with mission figs, aged balsamic, thyme

• Mango habanero with mango salsa and smoked hot sauce

Side Dishes for Serving

Pork tenderloin is very versatile to pair with a variety of side dishes:

• Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Rice pilaf or risotto
• Pasta with olive oil or pesto
• Roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts
• Fresh green salad with vinaigrette
• Sauteed spinach
• Quinoa or farro salad

What to Do with Leftovers

Leftover roasted pork tenderloin makes an easy protein to repurpose throughout the week. Here are some delicious ways to use up leftovers:

• Tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas
• Sandwiches with barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, cheese
• Salad entrees on top of mixed greens
• Stir fry with vegetables and teriyaki
• Breakfast – add to eggs, hash, sandwiches
• Pasta dishes like pasta primavera, carbonara, pasta salad
• Fried rice with vegetables and egg
• Soups or chilis – add bite size pieces to broth based dishes
• Snack on cold slices with crackers or cheese

With proper storage in the refrigerator, leftover roasted pork tenderloin will keep for 3-5 days. Freeze portions up to 2-3 months for longer term storage. Reheat gently before serving.

Cooking Smithfield pork tenderloin in the oven is one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to prepare this lean, elegant cut of meat. With just a bit of seasoning and a quick roast, you can have delicious and impressive oven-baked pork on the table any night of the week. Experiment with different seasoning blends and side dishes to find your favorite oven-roasted pork tenderloin recipes. Enjoy this versatile, budget-friendly staple as part of your regular dinner rotation.