Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin is a quick meal that cooks in a cast iron skillet on the stove-top. Pork tenderloin is cut into cubes and sprinkled with Italian seasoning, paprika and drizzled with honey to create a sweet, savory pork. Add the pork into a simple, fresh orzo salad for the perfect light, spring meal. 

CAST IRON PORK TENDERLOIN 

I know a lot of you enjoy the pork recipes I share including this post on How to Make Pork Tenderloin, Easy Pork Chili and this Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Roast. 

Today I am sharing another easy pork recipe for a Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin in partnership with Heinen’s.

This recipe is the perfect recipe for those busy nights and is ready to serve in under 20 minutes. It truly is a quick weeknight dinner.

If you like a sear on the pork and a juicy pork tenderloin this is the best way to make it. I love the delicious crust on the outer part of the pork.

You will love the sweet and savory flavor of the paprika and the honey mixed together. It creates the most flavorful pork tenderloin.

My favorite part of this recipe is the flavor that develops when you cook pork in a cast iron skillet.

It develops a crust on the pork and really holds in the flavor and creates a juicy bite of pork. 

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS CAST IRON PORK TENDERLOIN?

PORK: This recipe uses a 2 to 2 1/2 pound pork tenderloin that you will cut into 1-inch cubes.

Make sure to remove the silver skin of the pork before you cut it. 

SPICES: Italian seasoning and paprika are mixed together to create a flavorful rub for the pork.

You can mix up the spices with whatever you like or create a BBQ rub to use instead. 

HONEY: Honey is drizzled over the pork before cooking it on the skillet.

This helps to create a sweet flavor that complements the pork nicely. 

ORZO: I often serve this pork recipe with an orzo salad.

I give you the recipe for a herbed orzo salad that I think pairs nicely. You can serve it alongside the pork or add the pork into the salad. 

HOW DO YOU MAKE EASY PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE

REMOVE SILVER SKIN: Remove the silver skin from the pork tenderloin and place the pork on a large cutting board.

CUT THE PORK: Cut the pork into 1-inch cubes.

MIX THE SEASONING: In a small bowl mix together the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning blend over the pork.

Drizzle honey over the pork and mix in the garlic.

HEAT THE SKILLET: Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium hight heat.

ADD PORK: Add the pork in a single layer to the cast iron pan and cook, stirring occasionally and flipping the pork over for 10-12 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F using an instant read thermometer or meat thermometer and gets a nice crust.

Once the pork is cooked, let it sit for 5 minutes to help release the juices and create a tender pork tenderloin.

Once cooled stir it into the orzo pasta salad and serve with baby potatoes or sweet potatoes.

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD THIS CAST IRON PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE COOK TO?

When cooking pork tenderloin you want to see that blush of pink inside the pork or reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

I know a lot of people still think that pork should be cooked until all of the pink is gone, but the FDA recommends a blush of pink as safe.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PORK LOIN AND A PORK TENDERLOIN?

Pork loin and pork tenderloin are two different cuts of pork and come from different parts of the animal.

They also look different- pork tenderloin is thinner and smaller than pork loin. Pork loin is wider and much bigger.  

A pork loin can weigh up to 5 pounds while tenderloins are usually around 1 to 2 pounds. 

WAYS TO MODIFY THIS CAST IRON PORK TENDERLOIN

MARINADE: Marinate the pork tenderloin in a mixture of your choice. It could be a simple blend of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs, or something more complex like a soy sauce, honey, and ginger marinade. I also like a spicy marinade with crushed red pepper and cayenne red pepper.

FRUIT GLAZES: Glaze the pork tenderloin with a fruit-based sauce like mango chutney, apple cider glaze or a honey-orange sauce. These add sweetness and tanginess to the pork.

MUSTARD COATING: I love mustard with pork. Try spreading a layer of Dijon mustard or whole grain mustard over the pork tenderloin before cooking. It adds a nice tangy flavor and helps keep the meat moist.

HERB CRUST: Fresh herbs are a great pairing with pork. Create a crust using a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Press it onto the pork tenderloin before searing it in the cast iron skillet.

SPICE BLEND: Try adding other spices to the pork like garlic powder, cumin, chili powder or oregano.

WHAT SHOULD I PAIR WITH THIS PORK?

MEDITERRANEAN ROASTED VEGETABLES

TURMERIC CAULIFLOWER

SPICY LEBANESE POTATOES

AIR FRYER TWICE BAKED POTATOES 

LEMON ARUGULA SALAD WITH PINE NUTS 

MEDITERRANEAN BEAN SALAD

OTHER PORK RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

HOW TO COOK PORK CHOPS IN THE OVEN

SLOW COOKER PORK SHOULDER RECIPE

EASY PINEAPPLE PORK CHOPS 

HOW TO COOK A PORK BOSTON BUTT

BBQ BAKED PORK CHOPS

PARMESAN CRUSTED PORK CHOPS

PORK SOUVLAKI

HOW TO COOK PORK LOIN IN THE SLOW COOKER

Today’s recipe is sponsored by Heinen’s. As always, opinions are 100% my own.