Pork tenderloin roast recipe is coated with a smokey spice rub that has a hint of sweet.
The pork is tender and it is served with a cherry sauce that partners perfectly with the spice rub!
I’m not one to make romantic meals. I sort of serve up dinner and if my husband thinks it’s romantic, then bonus points for me.
If he compliments it and eats like any other meal, well then that is fine too. That being said, if I was going to classify a meal as romantic, it would be this one.
The flavorings in this roast pork tenderloin are sultry and delicious. This meal is memorable yet remarkably simple to prepare.
What Is A Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is also known as pork fillet. This lean muscle runs along the spine of the pig. It isn’t used for walking or major movement, so it is a very tender cut.
What Is The Difference Between Pork Tenderloin And Pork Loin?
Pork loin is a winder, thicker cut of pork. Pork loins often have a layer of fat around the outside and are lighter in color than pork tenderloins. Thin of pork loins as cuts similar to pork chops in look and texture.
What Spices To Use For Pork Tenderloin?
Pork tenderloin can handle so may flavorings. Some of my favorite ways to serve pork tenderloin are this Smoky Pork Loin with Pineapple Mango Salsa, where the pork is coated in a fiery seasoning blend that is tamed by the sweet, succulent fruit salsa.
I have also served Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Fig Sauce where the pork seasoning is simple so that the sauce served on the side can shine. You could also season pork with rosemary and prepare it in the crockpot like this Easy Slow Cooker Pork Loin recipe.
All recipes showcase the versatility of pork and both are delicious. In this recipe, the pork is powerfully seasoned and served with a sauce to match!
How To Cook A Pork Tenderloin Roast?
To begin, assemble your seasoning blend for your pork. This recipe uses brown sugar, cocoa powder, paprika, chili powder, espresso powder, and salt.
It may seem like an unlikely blend of flavors, but the sweet and spicy elements work wonderfully together and the coffee seems to intensify and pull out the cocoa powder and the sugar.
- Preheat oven to 400. Spray a shallow baking dish and set aside.
- Rub tenderloin with olive oil. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cocoa, paprika, chili powder, salt, and espresso powder.
- Rub spice mixture into pork. Bake in the heated oven for 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 145 degrees. It is ok for pork to be a little pink in the middle. It will taste so tender and juicy. It melts in your mouth.
- For the sauce, heat oil in a skillet. Add onions and cook until soft. Add broth, vinegar, cherries, salt, and rosemary.
- Cook on medium-low until sauce is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Pour over pork right before serving.
What to Serve With Pork Tenderloin Roast?
I made a cherry sauce to go with this pork roast. I plumped up dried cherries in a sauce made with chicken broth, vinegar, salt, and fresh rosemary.
The sauce is sweet, simple, and I suppose you could even say it is”romantic”.
If you are looking for more side ideas, try these Greek Roasted Potatoes, Leek and Bacon Risotto, Brussels Sprouts and Farro Salad, or this easy Spinach Salad!
More Pork Recipes:
Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Mango Salsa
Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Fig Sauce
Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut
Coffee Rubbed Pork Tenderloin Roast
Pork tenderloin roast recipe is coated with a smokey spice rub that has a hint of sweet.
The pork is tender and it is served with a cherry sauce that partners perfectly with the spice rub!
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork tenderloin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ancho chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup onions, diced
- 3/4 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Spray a shallow baking dish and set aside.
- Rub tenderloin with olive oil. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cocoa, paprika, chili powder, salt, and espresso powder.
- Rub spice mixture into pork.
- Bake in the heated oven for 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 145 degrees.
- For the sauce, heat oil in a skillet.
- Add onions and cook until soft.
- Add broth, vinegar, cherries, salt, and rosemary. Cook on medium-low until sauce is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Pour over pork right before serving.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 365Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 84mgSodium 931mgCarbohydrates 32gFiber 2gSugar 27gProtein 31g
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Tis sounds fabulous. Pinned it!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Brianne!
ChgoJohn says
This sounds fantastic, Tanya! The cherries, cocoa, and chili powder, combined with the rosemary and balsamic must make this one flavorful roast. That photo says it all. Well done, Tanya!
Lemonsforlulu says
That’s high praise coming from you, John! Thank you very much!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
This sounds like a perfect way to serve pork! I need a new recipe in my collection!
Lemonsforlulu says
I think this will be a keeper Jessica!
Shiloh Barkley says
Lol!
When I have kids, there will be living room dance parties! I already do them myself. I do agree with you that V day is not meant for gift giving! I mean I’ll never turn a diamond away, but you get what I mean!
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife says
This looks like a fantastic meal, so pretty! I would love for you to link up with us at The Hopeless Housewife!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Erika!
Ruthie Armstrong says
Thanks so much for sharing at Super Saturday Show & Tell today 🙂 This looks amazing… xoxo~ Ruthie
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks for the party Ruthie!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes} says
Wow, this recipe sounds so delicious! Saw your link over at Six Sisters and had to come and check it out 🙂
I’d love for you to link up a few recipes at my weekend link party! https://thebestblogrecipes.blogspot.com/
Hope to see you there!
Lemonsforlulu says
Will do, thanks Shauna!
Jessica @ Weekly Ad Meals says
Yum! I’ve already pinned this and can’t wait to try it. Thank you!
Lemonsforlulu says
Let me know if you try it Jessica!
Heather Who Needs a Cape? says
Always wanted to try something like this! looks amazing!
Found you at the Lady Behind the Curtain!
Lemonsforlulu says
I hope you do try it, it’s easy and you will love it!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes} says
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe at my link party last weekend! This week’s party is now live. Hope to see you there 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
I’ll be there!
cheeriosandlattes1 says
Yum Tanya; this looks and sounds amazing! You are a Featured Favorite this week on Cheerios and Lattes! Thanks for sharing this last week, we can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to this week! Have a great weekend!
Mackenzie 🙂
Ali says
Thank you so much for linking this recipe up at Recipe Sharing Monday! The new link party is up and I’d love to see you back. Have a great week. 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks for hosting Ali!
Chicken and Dumplings Recipe says
Thank you very much!