Turn your ordinary pork tenderloin into an extraordinary meal with this simple and flavorful marinade!
Pork tenderloin is a great meat that I love to keep on hand for budget-friendly meals. Still, just because it’s a bit cheaper doesn’t mean you can’t spruce this cut up for your next dinner party or at-home date night. Pork tenderloin is similar to chicken in that it serves as a blank canvas for a wide variety of spices and marinades. This particular marinade is easy to make and the perfect choice for weeknights or even weekends. All you need is a few minutes to throw it together. In the time it takes you to play your favorite song, the marinade could be done!
One of the reasons why I love this recipe is that I usually have all the ingredients on hand: lemon, olive oil, garlic, etc. And thanks to my herb garden, I even have a few sprigs of rosemary always at the ready. Sidenote—if you’re so inclined, I highly recommend starting your own little herb garden! It saves money in the long run, looks pretty, and smells so good.
So, what’s the point of this marinade? Well, it’s twofold. First, it’s for the flavor, which is a balance of savory and aromatic. And while the lemon adds a citrusy note, it also acts as a tenderizer for the meat. It’ll only take you two hours to get the most out of the marinade (overnight is even better), so give it a try!
Is This Pork Tenderloin Marinade Healthy?
It’s fairly healthy. For starters, pork tenderloin is a pretty lean cut. It’s high in protein, rich in B vitamins and zinc, and filling, so you should feel satisfied after enjoying this dish. As far as the marinade goes, there are no added sugars, no dairy, and it doesn’t call for a ton of salt. The only fats come from heart-healthy olive oil. Oh, and P.S. to vegans—this marinade tastes fabulous on tofu or seitan, too!
Why Marinate Overnight?
I get that you don’t always have the time to marinate your meat. Honestly, a two-hour marination for this recipe will still infuse the pork with plenty of flavor. But hey, if you can swing it, you should consider marinating the tenderloin overnight. Unlike chicken, pork tenderloin can handle the acidic lemon juice and vinegary mustard. This extra time allows these acids, along with the rosemary and garlic, to seep into the meat’s fibers. Heck, you probably won’t even need a knife because your meat will be so mouthwateringly tender!
Can I Prep This Ahead?
You can whisk up a batch of this marinade and store it in your fridge for up to 5 days. But if you’re talking about uncooked, marinated pork, you can keep that in your fridge for 24 hours.
Serving Suggestions
Pork tenderloin pairs really well with this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad! Its Greek-inspired ingredients of feta cheese, kalamata olives, and chickpeas complement the marinade. Roasted Potatoes And Carrots are great as well, and while you can never go wrong with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, you can also try a Healthy Mashed Potatoes recipe if you’re trying to keep things a bit lighter.
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins about 2 1/2 pounds total
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary minced (optional)
Instructions
- Season the pork tenderloins with salt and pepper on all sides.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and minced rosemary (if using).
- Place the seasoned pork tenderloins in a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag and ensure the tenderloins are well coated with the marinade. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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