Perfect BBQ Pork Tenderloin in Oven Recipe
This BBQ pork tenderloin in oven recipe will be your new go-to for when you have a BBQ craving! It’s simple to make and takes just 10 minutes to prepare. It creates a perfect pork tenderloin that is moist, tender and smothered in caramelized BBQ sauce. Your taste buds will thank you!
Total Servings: 4
Total Cost: $23.44
Cost Per Serving: $5.86
Table of Contents
Ingredients & Costs*
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*Food costs may vary and can change over time. The prices listed were the current prices of these ingredients when this recipe was made at the time of this post. Almost all our ingredients are purchased from Walmart as we live in a small town without any other options. If you notice a significant price difference, please let us know at hello@freshgains.com so we can update this post.
FAQs About This BBQ Pork Tenderloin in Oven Recipe
What kind of pork tenderloin do you use?
Most pork tenderloins are sold in packs of two and weigh anywhere from .75 lbs to 1.5 pounds each. I normally cook both tenderloins together. This recipe is written for two tenderloins that are on the small to medium side. If you only cook one tenderloin, and/or if you are using larger tenderloins, your cooking times will need to be adjusted. Also, remember the adjust the seasoning portions depending on the size and quantity of the tenderloins you’re cooking.
How long can I refrigerate left overs?
When refrigerated in airtight containers, leftovers will stay good for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, reheat the pork in the oven or the microwave. You can also freeze these tenderloins for up to 6 months when stored in airtight containers. If you freeze the pork, thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating it.
Can I use a different kind of pork?
You might confuse pork tenderloins with pork loins. While these cuts of meat sound similar, they can’t be interchanged all that easily – especially in this recipe. Pork tenderloin is a lean, tender cut of meat. The tenderloin comes from muscle that runs along the backbone. They are longer, narrower cuts. Pork lions are wider, flatter cuts that come from the back. While pork tenderloins are boneless, pork loins can be either bone-in or boneless. And while you may be tempted to use pork loins for this recipe (it’s a cheaper alternative), I would recommend against it. It just won’t have the same taste.
Tips to Make Amazing BBQ Pork Tenderloins
Sear the meat: If you want to elevate this recipe, you can sear the pork tenderloins in a cast iron skillet prior to putting them in the oven. Searing the tenderloins on a hot cast iron skillet allows the meat to start to caramelize and brown. This gives the meat a deeper, more savory flavor. To sear the tenderloin, warm the skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is warm, add a bit of oil and wait for it to begin rippling. Once the oil is rippling, add the tenderloin and allow it to sear for about 2 minutes. Then flip it and sear the other side for 2 additional minutes. Once seared, the BBQ pork tenderloins are ready to be moved to the oven.
Use a quality baking pan or cast iron skillet: When it comes to baking your pork tenderloins, there are two keys. First, you need to use a pan or skillet that is deep enough to hold liquids. To be safe, I recommend using a pan or skillet that is at least 1-inch deep. Secondly, heavier pans and skillets such as those made out of cast iron, aluminum or stainless steel retain heat at a higher level. Don’t use baking sheets or coated/non-stick pans or skillets for this recipe.
Let the tenderloins rest: Once the pork tenderloins are finished cooking, remove them from the oven. I place them on a cutting board to remove them from the heat of the baking pan or cast iron skillet. Allow them to sit for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Apply the seasoning early: If you have time, season the meat about an hour before you’re ready to cook it. This allows the seasoning to penetrate the tenderloin more and once cooked, the meat will be more flavorful. After seasoning the meat, cover it with foil and place it in the refrigerator until it’s time to cook.
Perfect BBQ Pork Tenderloin in Oven Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Oven
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin approx. 2-3 lbs total
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, whisk to combine the BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, garlic powder and pepper.
- Place one pork tenderloin in a plastic bag and add approximately half of the mixture, then mix. Repeat with the other tenderloin. You can also marinade the tenderloins in the bag for a minimum of 1 hour, if desired.
- Store remaining marinade in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator.
- Place the tenderloins on a baking sheet and put it in the oven. Allow to cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and brush with reserved sauce mixture. Return to oven and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Approximately 2-5 minutes.
- Use any remaining sauce as dip.
