How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Oven at 350F or 177C

Deciding exactly how long to cook pork tenderloin in the oven can be tricky. Keep it roasting too long, and the pork will dry out and become chewy. Too little time in the oven, however, and you risk some nasty outcomes from ingesting parasites.

Here’s the general answer for how long to cook pork tenderloin in the oven at 350F or 177C: At this temperature, it generally takes 20-30 minutes for a pork tenderloin to reach a safe temperature.

Making a delicious serving of pork tenderloin requires just a bit more know-how, beyond the cook time. Fortunately, you’re in the right place to learn how to prepare, cook, and serve a delicious and juicy pork tenderloin.  

How to prepare and cook pork tenderloin to perfection

Before you get started, begin by preheating your oven to 350F or 177C. At this temperature, you can cook your pork evenly without drying it out.  

1. Cut off the silverskin

Pork tenderloin often comes with the silverskin still attached. This is connective tissue that remains tough even after cooking. You’ll want to remove it before you season and roast the tenderloin.

To remove the silverskin, angle your knife so the blade slides between the silverskin and the meat. It helps to lift up one edge of the silverskin and grab it with your non-dominant hand. You can then pull off the skin as you continue edging the knife between the skin and the meat. Take care to remove as little lean meat as possible.

2. Brine the pork tenderloin

Pork tenderloin can be dry so it’s a great candidate for wet brining. Wet brining involves submerging the meat in a mixture of water and salt. The process adds flavor and moisture.

To make a simple brine, combine 4 tablespoons of kosher salt with 4 cups of water. Make sure there is enough liquid so that the meat can be completely submerged.

You can mix the brine in a bowl or in a large Ziploc bag. Then, simply drop your tenderloin in the liquid and leave it in the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours. When you’re ready to cook the meat, remove it from the brine and toss the remaining liquid.

3. Season the pork tenderloin

If you’re in a rush and don’t want to brine the meat, you can season it with salt and pepper instead. The end result may be drier than without the brine, but still acceptably good assuming you don’t overcook it.

You can also add seasoning after brining. For best results, don’t add more salt. Simply use other seasonings that go well with pork, like garlic powder, paprika, or an Italian spice mix.  

4. Make sure the cut is even

These pork cuts tend to be uneven, with one side thinner than the other. Trimming the thicker side will allow the pork to cook more evenly. That way, when you check if one if cooked through, the other one will be as well.

5. Roast the tenderloin for 20 to 30 minutes

Pork roasts need to cook to an internal temperature of 145F, measured at the center of the thickest section. This typically takes 20 to 30 minutes of oven roasting at 350F or 177C.

If you have a meat probe, insert it before you start roasting. You can then monitor the temperature without opening the oven door — which is ideal. Otherwise, use an instant-read thermometer and start checking the pork at about 17 minutes.

6. Rest your pork tenderloin for at least 5 minutes

Once the pork tenderloin is fully cooked, let it rest before you slice it . If you jab a knife in immediately, the juice will leak out and dry out the meat. To avoid this, let the meat sit for at least 5 minutes on the counter. I like to tent it with foil. For a flavor boost, dab some butter over the top. It’ll melt over the top of the meat as it rests.

During this time, the meat will reabsorb its natural juices.

You can then slice and serve your tenderloin. Be ready to accept compliments on your cooking prowess from your guests.

7. Serve the pork tenderloin

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Roasted pork tenderloin goes nicely with many side dishes — vegetables, mashed potatoes, salads, lentils, and cauliflower, to name a few. You could also pair it with pasta, rice, or drizzle it with tomato sauce.

Here are some side dish ideas for pork tenderloin you might like:

• Grilled Brussels Sprouts
• Roasted Butternut Squash or Carrots
• Air Fryer Apples
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Chinese Green Beans

Other ways to cook pork tenderloin

You can also try these other prep methods for your pork tenderloin:

• How to cook pork tenderloin on the stovetop
• How to cook Smithfield pork tenderloin
• How to cook pork tenderloin on the grill
• Balsamic grilled pork tenderloin recipe