A tenderloin cut wrapped up in a foil packet and baked for 25 minutes is one of the easiest ways to get tender slices of pork. Add a mustard sauce in the packet and make a couple of quick side dishes (I did acini di pepe and broccoli) and you have an easy feast for the family or company. Quick and easy but elegant at the same time! Show
Jump to Recipe Pork Loin vs Pork TenderloinIt is sometimes confusing as to which cut of pork you want in the grocery store, as they “sound” similar. They are actually quite different and getting the wrong cut can be disastrous for your meal. One is better suited for quick, high-temperature cooking while the other benefits from lower, slower heat. The most obvious difference between the two is the size and the amount of fat. Pork tenderloin is much smaller than a pork loin and has very little visible fat. A pork loin is wide and weighs around 5 pounds and has a dominant “fat cap”. Here are a few other distinctions: Pork Loin:Pork loin is also known as a center loin roast. It is large and wide and has a fat cap running along the top. It has a mild flavor, and the fat cap keeps the meat tender and juicy, even when cooked at longer temperatures. Pork loin is often seared first and then roasted at low temperatures in the oven. Using the slow cooker is also a popular way to cook pork loin. For the most tender meat, use a thermometer and pull the loin when it reaches 145° Pork Tenderloin:Pork tenderloin is narrow and usually weighs about 1 lb., with little to no visible fat. It is always sold as a boneless cut and is frequently sold in pairs. Pork tenderloin is very tasty but it is quite lean as it doesn’t have the fat to keep it juicy as it cooks. It is important therefore not to overcook it and dry it out. It does have a membrane that looks a bit like fat, but it actually a silver skin that does not tenderize as it cooks. Many cooks remove this skin before cooking to provide a better texture. It is best to cook the tenderloin with a quick cooking method. You can give it a quick sear and then grill it over direct heat. Alternatively you can cut the tenderloin it small pieces and saute it with vegetables. The recipe below slathers it with a mustard sauce, wraps it in foil and then bakes it for about 20 minutes. The foil and sauce seals the moisture in. How Many Servings from Pork Loin vs Tenderloin?Pork loin is great for feeding a crowd. Most boneless loin roasts weigh 4-5 pounds, allowing you to feed 8-10 people at about a half-pound per person. Pork tenderloin is generally sold in pairs, each tenderloin being around 1 lb. A 1-pound tenderloin will generally feed 2-3 people, especially if sliced thin and served with some side dishes. Acini di Pepe vs Orzo?Both orzo and acini di pepe are small pastas that cook up very quickly. They make a great bed for meats and sauces as they soak up the juices and add texture to the dinner. They are both small, with acini di pepe being a round shape and orzo being rice grain shaped. Both are Italian pasta made from semolina. The main difference for cooking is that acini di pepe are a bit smaller than orzo and therefore will cook up quicker. Orzo is often cooked in oil and used as a sort of rice substitute. They both make wonderful “beds” for meat or vegetables with sauces. Alternatively they can be served as a side dish with a generous dose of butter, salt and pepper. What can I Substitute for Acini di Pepe?
Pro Tip: Don’t overcook the pork. Overcooking pork can lead to a dry texture and you want tender, juicy pork loin for this recipe. Using an instant read thermometer to ensure that you remove the pork from the oven at just the right time (145 F). The mustard sauce can be made a day or two in advance. Just combine the ingredients and keep it refrigerated. Some of the pork loin prep work can also be done in advance. The pork loin roast can be tied up, rubbed with garlic paste, and refrigerated one day prior to cooking. Allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes on the counter before searing. Can this be made in advance? The mustard sauce can be made a day or two in advance of cooking the pork loin; simply keep it refrigerated. The pork loin can be tied up, rubbed with garlic paste, and refrigerated one day prior to cooking. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to preheating the skillet and oven. Can this be frozen? Yes, you can freeze leftover pork loin as well. Allow to cool then transfer to a freezer ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. How long can it be stored? Leftover pork loin will last for up to 4 days in the fridge. More Popular Pork Recipes:Chile Colorado with Nopales Low Carb Crispy Carnitas Easy Tuscan Bean & Sausage Stew Mexican Beef & Pork Birria Slow Carb Pork Pozole with Ancho Peppers This easy, low carb dinner takes the inexpensive cut of pork tenderloin, coats it with a mustard sauce, and wraps it in a foil packet to bake for 25 minutes. I served it with easy side dishes of orzo and broccoli. Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 25 mins
Calories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 39gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 1098mgPotassium: 780mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 301IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 4mg If you tried this recipe, please give it a 5-star rating! To do this, just click on the stars above. And don’t forget to tag me at @dorothy_stainbrook_heathglen, if you share a picture on Instagram! You can also tag me at #heathglen! Should I wrap my pork tenderloin in foil?Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of pork that can dry out quickly. Foil-wrapped pork tenderloin is a great way to prepare this cut of meat to lock in flavor and moisture. Pork loin may not be as apt to dry out, but covering your pan with foil while roasting helps the meat retain its juiciness.
Should I cover pork with foil when cooking?For a crisp surface on your roast, be sure the oven is fully preheated before putting the roast in and don't cover the meat while roasting. Searing (quickly browning at high heat) the outside of a pork roast before continuing with cooking is a great way to seal in flavor.
How long does it take to cook a pork tenderloin at 375?How long to roast pork tenderloin? Roast pork tenderloin for 15–20 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
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