Have you ever wondered how long to cook pork tenderloin at 400 degrees F in the oven or how to tell when the meat is fully cooked but still juicy and tender?
Knowing your meat and your oven are prerequisites for making the best pork tenderloin. Different cuts of meat require different methods of preparation. Additionally, not all ovens are created equally because they might have various heat distribution ratios.
I’ve included all the information you need in this article for your convenience because you are curious about how long to bake a piece of tenderloin. Thus, set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, don your apron, and let’s start cooking.
Ingredients for Perfectly Moist Pork Loin
I was a little intimidated when I was in the grocery store trying to buy meat because I had never really cooked with pork (because I could never make it taste good!). There are SO MANY different cuts of pork. It can be intimidating to choose the right cut when there are so many options available, including pork chops, pork loin, and pork tenderloin (yes, they are different, who knew?).
For this recipe, you’ll want to purchase a pork LOIN. Not chops, not tenderloin. Pork loin can be distinguished from other meat cuts by its wideness for cutting large slices and its top layer of fat.
The fact that this layer of fat helps to keep the meat’s juices inside during cooking makes it essential to the process. That’s what makes it so moist!.
Every time I prepare this recipe for pork loin roast, I observe that my family heads for the kitchen, practically pleading for dinner to be ready. Something about the prolonged roasting process causes the aroma of succulent pork to fill the entire house. The final 10 minutes of “rest” time for the meat, according to my eldest son, feel like an eternity!
Always Roast Meats at 400° Fahrenheit or Higher
You must roast your pork tenderloin at a high temperature if you want it to be juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. If you try to roast meat below 400°, it will dry out because the low temperature prevents the pork from properly searing. However, by keeping the temperature at 400°, you’ll produce a delicious, golden-brown crust while the meat’s interior will stay juicy and tender.
Pork tenderloin will require a different amount of time to cook depending on its size, but as a general rule, roasting time should be 25 minutes per pound. Therefore, a 1-pound tenderloin should be cooked for 25 minutes, while a 2-pound roast should be cooked for 50 minutes.
Pork tenderloin is a leaner cut of pork than other cuts, so if you overcook it, it could quickly dry out. To prevent this, check the internal temperature of the pork with a meat thermometer before removing it from the oven. For a juicy, flavorful roast, the USDA advises cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°.
Remove the pork from the oven when it reaches the right internal temperature. Let it rest for three to five minutes before slicing it. The pork tenderloin will become juicier and more flavorful as the internal temperature continues to rise and the juices are given a chance to redistribute throughout the meat.
We’ve all experienced it: you have a lovely meal planned with a roast cut of meat, but you forget to take it out of the freezer to defrost. You might be tempted to immediately place everything in the oven and let it roast naturally at that point. Fight the urge as best as you can.
It’s dangerous to cook frozen pork (or any frozen meat, for that matter). You run the risk of getting undercooked pork, which could cause food poisoning, in addition to the possibility that the meat won’t cook evenly.
The best course of action is to first defrost the meat in the refrigerator if you do find yourself in a situation where you need to cook frozen pork. Plan ahead and take the pork out of the freezer the night before you intend to cook it because this will take some time. Once the pork has defrosted, you can prepare it using your recipe.
However, keep in mind that since it won’t be at room temperature when you start cooking, it might take a little longer. As a result, you might need to adjust your cooking time.
Let’s Make Delicious Pork Tenderloin In The Oven At 400
Now that you are knowledgeable about all the fundamental details regarding how to prepare your pork tenderloin, let’s put this information to good use. I’ll walk you through the ingredients you’ll require and how to prepare them.