Pork Tenderloin Marinade

Turn your ordinary Pork Tenderloin into an extraordinary meal with this simple and flavorful marinade!

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Pork tenderloin is a great cheap meat. I love using it for budget-minded meals. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce this meat 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 palette of spices and marinades. This particular marinade is easy to make and the perfect choice for weeknights or even weekends. All you need is 5 minutes—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! For those who enjoyed our keto chicken marinade or healthy trout recipe, this marinade will be right up your alley.

Is Pork Tenderloin Marinade Healthy?

Definitely. For starters, pork tenderloin is a pretty lean cut; it’s not riddled with animal fat. It’s high in protein and filling, so if you’re watching your carbs, you should feel satisfied after this dish. As far as the marinade goes, there are no added sugars, and it doesn’t call for a ton of salt. And the only fats are healthy omega fats from the olive oil. Oh, and P.S. vegans—this marinade tastes fabulous on tofu or seitan.

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, you really should marinate 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 mouth-wateringly tender!

INGREDIENTS

2 pork tenderloins, about 2 1/2 lbs 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

Prepare pork with salt and pepper.

Mix

Whisk together marinade ingredients.

Marinate

Combine pork and marinade; refrigerate.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How do I prep and store this marinade?

You can whisk 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. Regarding leftovers, the tenderloin should be good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months if stored in the freezer.

I’m not a Rosemary Fan. What other Herbs Could I use?

Hey, it’s all good! Oregano, thyme, or a combination of both would be quite tasty, too!

What if I’m out of Dijon Mustard?

Whole grain mustard or even regular old yellow mustard will do. But if you go with yellow, add a teaspoon of honey—this will temper the sharpness of this mustard.

Serving Suggestions

Pork tenderloin pairs well with our Mediterranean quinoa salad! Its Greek-inspired ingredients of feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and chickpeas complement the marinade. Roasted vegetables are great as well, and while you can never go wrong with garlic mashed potatoes, we have a healthy mashed potatoes recipe for those watching their calories.