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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!
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!
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.
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;
- Make Ahead Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- 3 Ingredient Crispy Seasoned Red Potatoes
- Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onion
- Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots
- Orange Glazed Carrots
Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin
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.
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!
Merry Christmas, Megan! I hope that you have a wonderful holiday and maybe even start a new New Year’s tradition! 🙂
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
Thanks, Kristy! It’s delicious. Enjoy that pork tenderloin and have a wonderful holiday with your family!
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!
Grayson! I love that! So glad that you thought to hop on over here…enjoy that pork! 🙂 xoxo
Does the brown sugar make this taste sweet? Can that be omitted?
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. 🙂
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
Great tip! Thanks! 🙂
Looks delicious can I use a 2lb pork tenderloin instead? Would you cook for about 45 minutes then broil for 5 ?
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!
That pork looks so juicy and tender I’ll need to try it with your hoppin john!
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 !!
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!!!
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!
That’s so good to hear, Lynn! Thanks for your note. 🙂