Cast iron pork tenderloin is coated in a super simple spice blend and pan fried in a hot skillet for a perfectly juicy pork tenderloin that can be made in just minutes. Serve this versatile protein alongside your favorite sides for a quick and easy dinner.

Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite proteins to make. It’s more cost-effective than beef tenderloin, but when cooked to medium rare, pork tenderloin has the same buttery smoothness of beef tenderloin.

While you can buy pre-marinated pork tenderloins, this recipe includes a simple spice blend that could be made with ingredients I’m sure you already have in your spice cabinet.

Cooking a pork tenderloin in a cast-iron skillet is an easy way to ensure that the meat is nice and juicy on the inside while having a nicely browned outer crust.

For more recipes using a cast iron skillet, try Cast Iron Flank Steak and Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs.

Ingredients

Pork tenderloin: Generally, these come in vacuum sealed packs, and there are often two pork tenderloins per pack. They will vary in size and weight, which can affect cooking time so just be aware of that.
Oil: I like to use a high heat oil here like avocado oil since you’ll be cooking the meat at a high heat in your skillet.
Spice blend: I’ve kept it simple, salt, fresh ground, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This spice blend is full of flavor, but is very versatile and can be adapted to pretty much any side you would like.

How to make

Step 1. At least a half hour before cooking time I like to prep my meat and coat it with the spice blend. You could do this up to 24 hours in advance. Pat pork tenderloins dry with paper towels coat with a generous amount of oil. Combined spices and pour over top. Massage into meat so that it is fully coated with seasoning.

Step 2. Massage into meat so that it is fully coated with seasoning.

Step 3. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium high heat on the stove top. Place pork tenderloin(s) into the skillet cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until each side is brown. The internal temperature of the pork tenderloin should reach approximately 150-155 for medium pork.

Step 4. Set finished tenderloins on a plate to the side and allowed to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Can Pork Tenderloin be pink?

Yes it can! Unlike chicken, pork tenderloin does not have to be cooked all the way, some pink can remain.

medium-rare pork 145-150 degrees F
medium pork 150-155 degrees F
medium-well pork 155-160 degrees F
well done pork 160 degrees F

Note: 145 is considered the lowest temperature for pork.

Recipe tips

Make sure your skillet is nice and hot before you add in the meat, to ensure a good crust.
If the outside of the pork is seared to your liking but the inside is not yet cooked through, you can finish the meat in the oven. Using a cast iron skillet and then finishing in the oven is such an easy and delicious way to ensure you get a wonderful sear on the outside of your meat, while being able to cater the overall doneness to your liking. Keep the oven at 400 and cook in 5 minute increments until the desired doneness is reached.
The best cast iron skillet I have found is Lodge Cast Iron. I have had it for years, and it only gets better with age. It comes pre seasoned and in a wide variety of sizes. I personally use the 12 inch.
If you have a sous vide machine, you can also make sous vide pork tenderloin or pork loin and finish it off in the cast iron skillet!

What to serve with cast-iron pork tenderloin

This seasoning blend is very versatile so you could serve about anything you would like with it. Here are some of my favorites.

More pork recipes

Did you enjoy this Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin? I would love for you to let me know by leaving a comment and star rating. I can't wait to hear from you!