Jump to RecipeJump to VideoLeave a ReviewPin Recipe

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

Juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside, this Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin is perfect for any family occasion. Better yet, it’s made in one dish and requires only 10 minutes prep. It couldn’t be easier!

A garlic brown sugar pork tenderloin in a baking dish surrounded with herbs

Like any good Southern lady, my Mamma raised me right! While I wouldn’t call us superstitious, she taught me that there are definitely certain traditions to preserve.

The Spencer Family recipe for Rich Chocolate Frosting is a must on any yellow birthday cake; ambrosia is a staple on every Thanksgiving table; and pork tenderloin is a given on New Year’s Day. We don’t fool with what works or question our good fortune — and wouldn’t you want to start the New Year off right by enjoying a dish that signifies wealth and prosperity too?

The truth is, I vividly remember childhood New Year’s Day dinners as fancy occasions with extended family. Mom would prepare a pork dish, and always, always, always serve it alongside Hoppin’ John, greens, and sauerkraut.

While my Mom definitely raised me well, I can freely admit that my take on New Year’s is not quite as refined as hers!

A Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin in a baking dish with herbs

Make Pork Tenderloin The Easy Way

My idea of a lucky pork tenderloin is one that tastes fancy enough to serve our guests, but that only requires about 10 minutes of my time! Our meals are casual affairs with 4 hungry boys around the table. I don’t fuss over the details, I’m not afraid of shortcuts, and I want effortless food that also happens to taste amazing.

A close up of a Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin in a baking dish

Whether you welcome a New Year with one of my family’s favorite traditions, or whether you’re just serving a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this pork tenderloin is bound to make you feel lucky.

I will pair my pork tenderloin with Hoppin’ John and greens on New Year’s Day (just like Mom taught me); but it’s equally delicious alongside a big hunk of cornbread with melted butter and honey on top on any given Wednesday night!

No matter when or how you choose to enjoy this dish, it’s a quick-prep meal that will soon become a favorite in your household as well!

More Sides To Serve With This Pork Tenderloin;

Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin

5 from 3 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 224 kcal
A delicious and juicy garlic brown sugar pork tenderloin. Serve with veggies and mashed potatoes.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1 lb. pork tenderloin
  • 2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (about 2 teaspoons)
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 sweet onion thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F (200C). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a small bowl, stir together mustard, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic, and thyme.
  • Place sliced onion in a single layer in bottom of prepared dish.
  • Season pork with salt and pepper on all sides, and then place on top of onion in the dish.
  • Brush half of the mustard mixture over the pork.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  • Remove cover, brush with remaining mustard sauce, and put under the broiler for about 5 minutes (or until a crispy crust forms on top), and pork reaches an internal temperature of 140-150 degrees F.
  • Remove from oven and allow pork to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 24gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 152mgPotassium: 554mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 5.3mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1.5mg
Keyword: Brown Sugar Pork, Garlic Pork, Roast Pork Tenderloin
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: The Seasoned Mom
blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

Read More

Square overhead shot of hands serving a chicken pot pie recipe with biscuits
Overhead image of a bowl of chili mac on a dinner table with cornbread
Hands serving a platter of sheet pan sausage and potatoes

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. I don’t think we ever had a New Year’s Day dinner growing up. It was usually an extension of Christmas with another side of the family. I think this a tradition that needs to happen though. Merry Christmas friend!

    1. Merry Christmas, Megan! I hope that you have a wonderful holiday and maybe even start a new New Year’s tradition! 🙂

  2. My Mum just bought a pork tenderloin to cook on boxing day (as we’re not having pork on Christmas Day this year) and I think I need to send her this recipe as it looks amaazing!

    I hope you and your sweet family have a wonderful Christmas! xo

  3. Trying to meal plan today and thought of your site! Thanks for the great ideas…I so need help. I get in such a food rut this time of year! Pork Tenderloin here I come!

    1. Hi, Christina! The brown sugar definitely adds some sweetness, but it’s not overpowering at all. I wouldn’t call the pork “sweet.” That said, if you prefer to leave it out, you certainly can. The finish on the pork will be a bit different, though, because the sugar helps the top caramelize and get crispy when you put it under the high heat of the broiler. Just something to keep in mind. 🙂

      1. Hi,
        Try mixing honey with the mustard and this gives the same affect without using sugar. This approach shoukd tenderise the meat more.
        Regards
        Kevin

    1. Hi, Melissa!

      That’s a pretty big tenderloin! They’re often sold in packages of two. Have you opened the package to make sure that you don’t have two separate tenderloins packed in there?

      If you’re really cooking a 2-lb. tenderloin, a good rule of thumb is to cook the tenderloin at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and continue roasting for about 20 minutes per pound. The best way to really tell if your meat is properly done, though, is to use a meat thermometer and remove it from the oven when it reaches between 140-150 degrees. You can pop it under the broiler during the final few minutes if you’d like that nice char on the outside, but it’s not necessary. Let it rest for about 10 minutes (it will continue cooking as it rests), and then slice and serve.

      Hope that helps!

  4. I’m an EMT and work graveyard ( 10pm-7am) and I’m ALWAYS looking for dinner suggestions that are quick effortless and tasty and this recipe meets all three!! Thanks so much !!

    1. Wonderful, Shelayne! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, and thanks for all that you do in your career. We appreciate folks like you!!!

  5. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe So Many Times since finding it that I now basically eyeball the ingredients and it still turns out amazing every time! I double the sauce ingredients, toss baby carrots around the tenderloins, add some sort of potato on the side, and dinner is done. Husband and kid approved! Thank you for this delicious, easy dinner! Makes fantastic leftover pork for bbq sandwiches, too!