Pork Tenderloin Marinade

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This 7-ingredient pork tenderloin marinade is the best way to infuse flavor and moisture into pork tenderloin before grilling, searing, roasting, or air frying.

pork tenderloin marinade.

Pork tenderloin is a delicious cut of meat. Whether you make my grilled pork tenderloin, air fryer pork tenderloin, or sous vide pork tenderloin, it always makes for an impressive and tender meal. But to make the most succulent bites, you’ll want to start with this pork tenderloin marinade recipe first.

This simple 7-ingredient marinade for pork tenderloin comes together quickly using pantry-staple ingredients. Plus, it only takes 30 minutes for the savory, tangy, and umami flavors to penetrate the meat before it’s ready to cook. The result is an incredibly juicy, flavorful, and truly mouthwatering piece of pork!

Table of Contents
  1. Ingredients needed
  2. How to make the best pork tenderloin marinade
  3. What is the best way to cook pork tenderloin?
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More delicious marinades to try
  8. Pork Tenderloin Marinade (Recipe Card)

Ingredients needed

Any great meat marinade needs acid, oil, and flavoring agents. And, of course, high-quality ingredients make all the difference! These are the marinade ingredients to make the best pork loin marinade:

  • Olive oil. Its robust and fruity flavor adds depth to the marinade.
  • Dijon mustard. Dijon is more peppery, tangy, and creamy than yellow mustard. Plus, it helps form a thin, flavorful crust on the surface of the meat.
  • Soy sauce. The salty, umami undertones in soy sauce enhance pork’s natural meaty flavors.
  • Worcestershire sauce. For an extra layer of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
  • Garlic. Freshly minced garlic cloves. 
  • Kosher salt and black pepper. For seasoning and improving the flavor.

How to make the best pork tenderloin marinade

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1 – Make the marinade. Whisk the olive oil and Dijon mustard until combined, then stir in the remaining ingredients.

how to make a pork tenderloin marinade.

Step 2 – Marinate the pork tenderloin. Pour the marinade into a large bowl or ziplock bag. Place the pork in the bowl/bag, then leave it in the fridge to marinate.

Step 3 – Bring it to room temperature. Take the marinated pork tenderloin out of the fridge and place it on the counter for 30 to 60 minutes to bring it to room temperature. 

Step 4 – Cook the pork tenderloin. Take the meat out of the marinade and cook using your preferred method.

marinade for pork tenderloin.

What is the best way to cook pork tenderloin?

Marinated pork tenderloin is best cooked quickly and over high heat. You can do so by grilling, sear it in a skillet or pan, bake in a 400ºF degree oven, air frying, or in a water bath using a sous vide machine

Avoid overcooking the pork, as it can quickly become tough and chewy. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness – you’ll know it’s ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part.

Bonus cooking tip- always let the pork rest for 5-10 minutes for the juices to redistribute.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Marinating meat in a ziplock bag is best for easy cleanup. But if you use a bowl, make sure it’s a glass or ceramic bowl. Metal bowls tend to react with the acid in the marinade, leaving an unpleasant metallic taste behind.
  • Shake off the excess marinade from the pork, but do not pat it dry before cooking! This keeps a thin layer stuck on the surface, creating a gorgeous, golden crust when cooked. 
  • For a honey mustard marinade, follow the recipe, but add 3 to 4 tablespoons of honey and/or brown sugar.
  • For an Asian-inspired marinade, swap the Dijon for hoisin or oyster sauce and cut half of the olive oil with sesame oil. 
  • Make it gluten-free, by swapping the soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce for 3 tablespoons of gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos. 

Storage instructions

To store: Stir the marinade together and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week. The used marinade, however, cannot be reused and stored away because it can harbor bacteria once it comes in contact with raw pork.

To freeze: Pour the marinade into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before using it.

Storing cooked pork tenderloin: Place leftovers in a shallow container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

marinade for pork loin.

Frequently asked questions

How long can you marinate pork tenderloin?

Leave the pork to soak in the marinade for a minimum of 30 minutes. For the best results, leave it for 2 hours or overnight.

Can you use this marinade for pork loin instead of pork tenderloin?

You can, but here’s the thing: despite their similar names, pork loin and pork tenderloin are two very different cuts of meat. The loin is larger and fattier, so it’s best cooked slowly and over low heat (slow-roasting, slow cooking, or smoking). 

Can I freeze pork tenderloin in the marinade?

Yes, you can freeze pork tenderloin in the marinade. In fact, marinating the meat before freezing it can help infuse the flavors into the meat as it thaws.

How can I tell if my pork tenderloin is done marinating?

The length of time for marinating pork tenderloin will depend on the recipe and the type of marinade used. As a general rule, pork tenderloin should be marinated for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.

More delicious marinades to try

pork tenderloin marinade recipe.

Pork Tenderloin Marinade

5 from 125 votes
Enhance the flavor of your pork tenderloin with this mouthwatering marinade recipe. Made with just seven ingredients, this marinade infuses the pork with sweet and savory flavors that will have your taste buds dancing.
Servings: 12 servings
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 2 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Whisk together the olive oil and Dijon mustard until combined. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
  • Add the marinade to a large bowl or ziplock bag, then add the pork tenderloin to it. Allow the pork to marinate for at least two hours or overnight. 

Notes

TO STORE: Stir the marinade together and keep it in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for 1 week. The used marinade, however, cannot be reused and stored away because it can harbor bacteria once it comes in contact with raw pork.
TO FREEZE: Pour the marinade into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before using it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSodium: 424mgPotassium: 30mgFiber: 0.3gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.3mgNET CARBS: 1g
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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5 from 125 votes (122 ratings without comment)

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  1. 5 stars
    This tasted amazing! I used this marinade for bbq pork loin sandwiches (in conjunction with the keto bbq sauce recipe). It made the pork so much more tender and savory. My house was smelling divine with it in the oven. Made a great Passover meal and everyone loved it. I’ll be using this marinade with all red meats from now on. Thanks again Arman!