Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloin
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This roast pork tenderloin is a spin on the classic piccata flavors. An Italian meal of juicy pork tenderloin in a buttery lemon caper sauce with balsamic vinegar reduction. Make this easy piccata-style recipe in only 35 minutes! Check out the video in the recipe card to watch me make it, step by step!
Roast Pork Tenderloin
When I was recently in Venice and Florence, Italy I had the most tender, savory pieces of veal piccata. I found the meals were quality over quantity, if that makes sense. The dishes were simple, but used incredible ingredients and great technique to deliver delicious, memorable food.
While there are numerous veal piccata recipes out there I wanted to do a twist using pork tenderloins. The use of pork is just one version of the classic Italian dish. It was originally a veal dish, and then chicken piccata came onto the scene. In addition to pork, there are even versions of piccata made with with lamb. The dish is more about the sauce than the protein served with it.
By taking the flavors of piccata, namely the butter, lemon and capers I also made a reduction with the balsamic vinegar for an incredible sauce. My recipe is a bit different than others you see online, because I oven roast the tenderloins whole. Many of the other recipes use medallions, which are very easy to overcook.
The best part is, pork tenderloin cooks very quickly. It caramelizes in the oven and tastes like it cooked for hours, but it only takes 35 minutes to make this pork piccata dish! If you love the briny, salty flavor of capers, I can almost guarantee that this recipe will become a favorite!
- Pork– Be sure to purchase pork tenderloins and not a pork loin roast. Although both cuts are lean, a pork loin roast is much larger and takes longer to cook.
Pork tenderloins are sold two to a package, averaging 1.5 lbs. each. Here is a great reference on the two different cuts of pork: The Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloins. - Lemon – For a sweeter flavor, substitute Meyer lemon zest for regular lemon zest. Meyer lemons are a cross between a lemon and an orange.
- Broth or stock – Either chicken or beef broth or stock can be used. I have a great recipe for chicken broth, or store bought is fine too.
- Balsamic vinegar– Feel free to substitute 1/4 cup of balsamic glaze for the 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar. It’s already reduced and therefore, thicker.
- Capers– I love the briny, salty flavor of capers. It pairs perfectly with the creamy butter, garlic, and lemon in the pork piccata sauce. Capers are used in many Italian and French recipes, such as lemon chicken.
If you don’t care for their flavor, you can leave them out of the sauce. On the other hand, if you’re fan, feel free to add more of them.
Roast Pork Tenderloin recipe video
To see the making of pork piccata-style tenderloin from start to finish, watch the video in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Preheat the oven to 450ËšF. In a small bowl, combine crushed garlic, rosemary, lemon zest, one tablespoon oil, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture onto all sides of both tenderloins.
- In a large skillet with an oven proof handle, heat 1 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the tenderloins and cook, turning frequently, until meat is seared on all sides, about 8 minutes.
- Transfer skillet of pork to the oven and cook for 12 minutes, or until internal temperature is 145°F. Remove pork from pan, transfer to a cutting board and lightly tent with foil to keep warm.
- Set the skillet over high heat and stir in stock and vinegar, scraping up any cooked bits from bottom of pan.Bring mixture to a boil and cook until reduced by half. Turn the heat off and whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until melted. Stir in the capers and spoon over pork.
- Cut the tenderloin into thick 1″ slices, spoon caper sauce over the top and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Use an oven proof skillet or pan.
You’ll be searing the pork before it goes into the oven to finish cooking. I use a cast iron skillet, because it can go from the stovetop right into the oven. While the pork piccata rests, you’ll make the sauce in that same skillet. Making a delicious dinner doesn’t get much simpler!
- Don’t skip the piccata sauce.
Without the sauce, this dish wouldn’t be pork piccata; it would be roasted pork tenderloin. It’s very simple to make, and that briny, buttery, lemony sauce is so delicious, you may be tempted to drink straight from a spoon. 😉
- Allow the meat to rest before slicing.
To ensure that your pork piccata is perfectly juicy, be sure to allow the meat to rest for at least 3 minutes before you slice it.
How long to cook pork tenderloin
The key to preventing dry pork is to avoid overcooking it. When it’s cooked properly, the internal temp of pork tenderloin is between 145°-155°F.
What to serve with pork piccata
For a simple weeknight dinner, the flavors of the buttery caper sauce pair well with baked potato wedges, roasted mashed potatoes, or even mac and cheese.
For a more elegant meal, it would be fantastic with an elevated side dish like White Pesto Pasta, scalloped sweet potatoes or wild rice pilaf.
This post, originally published on Kevin is Cooking July 24, 2013, was updated with new content on Dec. 29, 2021.
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Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 3 lb pork tenderloin (Two 1.5 lb tenderloins, See Note1)
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary stems removed, chopped
- 2 tbsp grated lemon zest (See Note 2)
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (See Note 3)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp capers more if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ËšF.
- In a small bowl, combine crushed garlic, rosemary, lemon zest, one tablespoon oil, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture onto all sides of both tenderloins.
- In a large skillet with an oven proof handle, heat 1 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the tenderloins and cook, turning frequently, until meat is seared on all sides, about 8 minutes.
- Transfer skillet of pork to the oven and cook for 12 minutes, or until internal temperature is 145°F. (See Note 4)
- Remove pork from pan, transfer to a cutting board and lightly tent with foil to keep warm.
- Set the skillet over high heat and stir in stock and vinegar, scraping up any cooked bits from bottom of pan. Bring mixture to a boil and cook until reduced by half. Turn the heat off and whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until melted. Stir in the capers and spoon over pork.
- Cut the tenderloin into thick 1" slices, spoon caper sauce over the top and serve.
Video
Notes
- Be sure to purchase a pork tenderloin and NOT a pork loin. There is a difference! Pork tenderloins are almost always sold two to a package, averaging 1.5 lbs each. Here is a great reference on the two different cuts of pork: The Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloins.Â
- You could also use Meyer lemon zest. Meyer lemons are a cross between a lemon and an orange.
- Feel free to substitute 1/4 cup of balsamic glaze for the 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar. It’s already reduced and thicker.
- Don’t overcook your pork, keep it nice and moist, not dried out. Internal temp should be between 145°-160°F and allow meat to rest at least 3 minutes.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This is my go to pork tenderloin recipe. I have made it many times for company as well as ourselves and it is always a hit. I do agree that it is better with the Meyer lemon zest, but always great. Highly recommend!
I am so glad it is your go to! I love it as well!
I made this for dinner last week and it was delicious! The whole family loved it! The pork tenderloin came out succulent and juicy. Incredible blend of flavors and spices. This recipe is going into my must make favorites!!! Thank you for the great recipe Kevin!!!!!
Sooooo delicious! I didn’t have any capers on hand so I did leave those out. Also I was out of regular olive oil and so I used a jalapeno infused olive oil and it was outstanding. Definitely going in the favorite rotation.
I love that you used that infused oil! Sounds amazing! Thank you for stopping by!
Made this for supper last night and it is absolutely delicious. Definitely a keeper recipe!
So happy you enjoyed this one Beth, it’s one of my favorites, too!
I didn’t reduce balsamic glaze /geef broth to half so presentation was not good as juice spread over all dinner plate into potatoes, veggie etc. Next time I will focus on last part of recipe….& reduce to thicker drizzle. 😣Taste was great however.
This is my newest favorite recipe!! It is so fast and easy, but tastes like you are at a nice restaurant. The balsamic sauce is heavenly. We like to make this with some creamy polenta and some sort of braised greens. I can say enough about how delicious this is. Thank you Kevin!!!
Dara, thank you so much! I am happy you found me and hopefully you’ll find other recipes here to enjoy as well. 🙂
Great flavor! Juicy, tender pork! Quick recipe. Everyone loved it! It will be my go to pork tenderloin recipe.
So happy you guys enjoyed this one Gale. I love a easy recipe that delivers BIG flavor like that and this is it!
Great recipe! Pork was super moist and sauce pulled everything together nicely. Thanks for helping this busy college student eat well!
Excellent! So glad I could be there for the assist Amanda! Cheers! 🙂
Delicious every time!
So happy you enjoyed this Bon. Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know.
Made the pork last night just added port to the sauce and gave it a very special flavor, it was delicious, for sure I will make it again
Excellent, thanks for coming back to let me know Angel. 🙂
This looks amazing, but I want to make it for a dinner party. Can I make it ahead and reheat?
I don’t see why not, although I have not tried that Marty. I just enjoy the right from the pan crispy edges I think it would lose by making ahead, but the flavors will still be there. 🙂