My smokey roasted pork tenderloin with pineapple salsa is a quick and easy weeknight meal thanks to quick cooking pork. It’s also the most exciting meal of the week, thanks to the tropical notes.
pork tenderloin is the secret to this 30 minute meal
Pork tenderloin is a cut of meat that works weeknight magic. It cooks quickly, stays nice and juicy, slices like a dream, and plays nice with so many flavor profiles. In this case we’re going tropical with a vibrant pineapple salsa.
what’s the dif between pork loin and pork tenderloin?
Pork loin is a short wide cut of pork with a layer of fat on top, weighing from 2-5 pounds, while tenderloins are long and slim fillets with very little fat, and generally weigh less than a pound.
Because pork tenderloins are so small, they’re often in packages of 2.
when you see that rosy pink in your pork, you know you’ve done it right.
Pork got a new lease on life when the USDA revised its recommendations for cooking this ‘other white meat’. Used to be our parents thought they had to cook it well done to be safe. Not anymore. Turns out pork is perfectly safe, and best, when cooked to 145F. That’s medium rare, and fabulous. So don’t panic if your pork looks pink and juicy in the middle, that’s they way it’s supposed to be! If you’re used to over cooked pork, this is a game changer.
Note: you still need to cook ground pork to 160F.
how to cook pork tenderloin the easiest way
By the easiest way, I mean that this method does not require separately browning the tenderloin on the stove top. You can absolutely do this for extra caramelization, but it’s messy, and takes more time. It’s up to you.
- Bring tenderloin out of the fridge to sit on the counter.
- Preheat oven to 475F
- Rub the meat all over with olive oil, then salt, and whatever spices you like. Here I used smoked paprika and chipotle powder for a little heat.
- Put your meat on a baking sheet or baking pan. Line it with foil if you like to help with clean up.
- Put the pan in the oven and immediately turn down the temperature to 425F.
- Roast for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145F.
- Let the meat rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow the juices to settle.
why serve pork with salsa?
It might seem like an odd combination until you get the two together in your mouth! The acidity of the pineapple and lime along with the zippy jalapeños and cilantro make a fabulous contrast with the meat. I find that salsa does a great job of making an otherwise heavy meal feel light and bright. You’ll definitely get the tropical vibe with this one.
what to serve alongside
I see this as an opportunity for a lighter, healthy meal, so I like to keep the sides light as well. Some type of slaw would be a great choice, along with couscous, roasted potatoes, or oven fries. Steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus would be great, too.
more ways to use salsa in a main course
- Grilled Chicken with Peach Jalapeño Salsa
- Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Pine Nut Salsa
- Salmon with Berry Salsa
- Whitefish with Cherry Salsa
- Roasted (or grilled!) Salmon with Kiwi Salsa
Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring your pork tenderloins out onto the counter and preheat your oven to 475F.
- Rub the tenderloins all over with olive oil and salt. Sprinkle the paprika and chipotle powder over the top and rub in with your clean hands. Place the pork on a baking sheet with sides or in a baking pan. You can line with foil if you like for easier cleanup.
- When the oven has reached temperature, put the meat in, and immediately reduce the temperature to 425F.
- Roast for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145F.
- Let the meat rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow the juices to settle.
- Serve with pineapple salsa.
Notes
- a serving of pork tenderloin is generally about 3 ounces, so count on 2 pork tenderloins feeding at least 6.Â
- If you like you can brown the meat on the stove top first for more caramelization. Alternatively you can run the meat under the broiler at the very end.
- Nutrition info is just for the pork. See pineapple salsa recipe for that nutritional breakdown.
Nutrition
