Pork tenderloin and vegetables is a simple oven-roasted dinner of juicy pork, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and red onion, seasoned with garlic, Dijon mustard, and herbs. Staggering when the vegetables go into the oven helps them turn tender and browned without overcooking the pork, so the whole meal finishes on one sheet pan.
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin, about 1¼ lb (570 g), trimmed of silver skin
- 1 lb baby potatoes (450 g), halved; quarter any larger ones
- 3 medium carrots, about 10 oz (280 g), peeled and cut into ½-inch (1.25 cm) pieces
- 1 medium red onion, about 6 oz (170 g), cut into 8 wedges
- 1 small head broccoli, about 10 oz (280 g), cut into bite-size florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil (45 ml), divided
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (15 g)
- 2 garlic cloves (about 6 g), finely grated or minced
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary (about 1 g), or ½ tsp dried rosemary (about 0.5 g)
- 1 tsp fine salt (6 g), divided, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper (about 1 g), divided
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (about 1 g), optional, or ½ tsp dried thyme (about 0.5 g)
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (about 4 g), optional, for serving
- 1 tsp lemon juice (5 ml), optional, for finishing
Instructions
- Heat the oven and prepare the pan. Set a rack in the center of the oven and heat it to 425°F (220°C). Use a large rimmed sheet pan, about 18 by 13 inches (46 by 33 cm), so the vegetables have room to roast rather than steam. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and trim away any silvery membrane with a small sharp knife. Leave the tenderloin whole; cutting it into medallions now would make it cook too quickly and dry out.
- Season the first vegetables. Put the potatoes, carrots, and onion on the sheet pan. Toss them with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the olive oil, about ½ teaspoon (3 g) of the salt, and ¼ teaspoon (0.5 g) of the pepper. Arrange them in a single layer, turning the cut sides of the potatoes down where possible. Roast for 15 minutes. The pieces should be starting to soften, not fully cooked yet.
- Make the pork seasoning. While the vegetables begin roasting, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml), Dijon mustard, garlic, rosemary, thyme if using, remaining ½ teaspoon salt (3 g), and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper (0.5 g). Rub the mixture over all sides of the pork. Preparing the seasoning while the pan is in the oven keeps the total time manageable and lets the flavor coat the meat evenly.
- Add the pork. After the vegetables have roasted for 15 minutes, take the pan out carefully and turn the vegetables with a spatula. Push them toward the edges to make a clear space in the center, then set the pork there. Return the pan to the oven and roast for 10 minutes. If the vegetables look dry, toss them with a teaspoon or two of water rather than adding a large amount of oil.
- Add the broccoli. Remove the pan and scatter the broccoli florets among the other vegetables. Toss the broccoli with any oil and seasoning on the pan, keeping the pork in the center. Return everything to the oven for about 12 minutes. The broccoli should be crisp-tender with browned tips, and the potatoes should be easy to pierce with a fork. If your florets are very small, add them a few minutes later so they do not become too soft.
- Check the pork with a thermometer. Insert an instant-read food thermometer into the thickest part of the tenderloin, avoiding the pan. USDA FSIS lists 145°F (63°C) followed by a 3-minute rest as the safe minimum for whole cuts of pork. If the center has not reached 145°F (63°C), continue roasting and check again after 2 to 3 minutes; tenderloins vary in thickness, so temperature is more reliable than the clock.
- Rest and slice. Transfer the pork to a clean cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. This exceeds the USDA minimum 3-minute rest and gives the juices time to settle. Slice across the grain into pieces about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick. If the vegetables need more browning, leave them in the oven while the pork rests, checking them so they do not scorch.
- Finish and serve. Taste the vegetables and add a pinch of salt or pepper if needed. Arrange the sliced pork with the vegetables, spooning any juices from the cutting board over the meat. Add parsley and a little lemon juice if you like a fresh, bright finish, then serve while hot.
Tips
- Choose a tenderloin, not a pork loin roast. A tenderloin is long and narrow and usually weighs around 1 to 1½ pounds (450 to 680 g). Pork loin is much thicker and heavier, so it will not follow this timing; use a thermometer and expect to adjust the cooking time substantially if substituting.
- Cut vegetables to similar sizes. Halved baby potatoes and carrot pieces around ½ inch (1.25 cm) cook at a similar pace. If you use large potatoes, cut them into smaller chunks. Uneven pieces can leave you with browned onion and carrots beside potatoes that are still firm.
- Give the pan space. Crowded vegetables release steam and turn soft instead of developing browned edges. Use a second sheet pan if your pan is smaller, or divide the vegetables between two pans and rotate their oven positions halfway through.
- Do not judge doneness by color alone. Pork can remain slightly pink at a safe temperature, and color is not a dependable safety check. Measure at the thickest point with a clean food thermometer; avoid touching the pan, which can give an inaccurate reading.
Serving Suggestions
This pan dinner is substantial on its own, with the potatoes providing a filling base and the carrots, onion, and broccoli adding different textures. For a lighter plate, serve smaller portions alongside a crisp green salad dressed with vinaigrette. A spoonful of applesauce or a tart apple relish also pairs nicely with the mustard and rosemary on the pork without requiring another cooking step.
If you want a sauce, stir a teaspoon of Dijon mustard and a squeeze of lemon into the juices left on the cutting board, then spoon that mixture over the sliced pork. The pan vegetables are seasoned simply, so they also go well with a small dish of sour cream mixed with chopped chives. Serve the pork soon after slicing; thin pieces cool more quickly than the whole tenderloin.
Variations
Change the vegetables: Parsnips, sweet potato, or cauliflower can replace some or all of the carrots or broccoli. Cut root vegetables into small pieces and start them with the potatoes. Tender vegetables such as zucchini or asparagus need less oven time, so add them with the broccoli or during the final 8 to 12 minutes, depending on their size.
Use a different herb profile: Swap the rosemary and thyme for 1 teaspoon (about 1 g) of dried Italian seasoning, or use chopped fresh sage. Smoked paprika, about ½ teaspoon (1 g), adds a warm, smoky note; it changes the flavor but does not require a change to the cooking method. If using salted seasoning blends, reduce the added salt and taste the vegetables at the end.
Make it slightly sweet or sharper: Stir 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of maple syrup into the mustard rub for a gently sweet glaze, taking care that drips do not burn on the pan. For more tang, use whole-grain mustard instead of Dijon. Yellow mustard works in a pinch but has a milder flavor and a thinner texture, so it will make a less pronounced coating.
Adjust for what is on hand: Red onion can be replaced with a yellow onion or two shallots. Fresh broccoli is best for browning; if using frozen broccoli, thaw it completely and pat it very dry first, knowing it may turn softer and release more moisture. A pinch of chili flakes is an easy option for gentle heat.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Store the pork and vegetables in a covered, shallow container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For the best texture, keep the sliced pork with a little of its collected juice so it is less likely to dry out. The cooked components can also be frozen in an airtight container for about 2 to 3 months for best quality; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat only the amount you plan to eat. For the oven, place the pork and vegetables in a covered oven-safe dish with a tablespoon of water or broth and warm at 325°F (165°C) until heated through. A microwave also works: cover the food loosely, use medium power, and stir or turn the vegetables partway through. USDA FSIS advises reheating leftovers to 165°F (74°C); check the center of the pork with a thermometer. Reheated pork may be less juicy than freshly cooked pork, so avoid heating it longer than necessary once it reaches that temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook the pork tenderloin and vegetables all at the same time?
It is better to stagger them. Potatoes and carrots need a longer head start than tenderloin, while broccoli cooks quickly. Roasting the root vegetables for 15 minutes first, then adding the pork and broccoli at the steps listed, helps each ingredient finish at a suitable texture.
How do I keep pork tenderloin from drying out?
Use a thermometer and remove the pork once the center reaches 145°F (63°C), then let it rest before slicing. Tenderloin is lean, and a few extra minutes can make it dry. Keeping it whole during roasting and slicing across the grain after resting also helps each portion stay tender.
Can I prepare the ingredients ahead?
Yes. You can wash and cut the vegetables up to a day ahead and refrigerate them in a covered container. You can also mix the mustard and herb seasoning in advance. Keep raw pork covered and separate from ready-to-eat foods in the refrigerator, and coat it shortly before roasting for the simplest workflow.
Can I use another cut of pork?
A boneless pork loin roast is not a direct timing substitute because it is wider and thicker than a tenderloin. It may need a different roasting time and may require a different vegetable schedule. Cook any whole pork cut to 145°F (63°C) and allow a 3-minute rest, checking the thickest portion with a thermometer rather than relying on this recipe’s timing.
What if the pork is ready before the vegetables?
Remove the pork to a clean cutting board as soon as it reaches 145°F (63°C), then let it rest for 5 minutes. Return the vegetables to the oven until browned and tender, checking every few minutes. Resting the meat separately prevents it from overcooking while the vegetables finish.
Related
- Low-Carb Pork Chops with Creamy Garlic Pan Sauce
- Pork Chop Recipe with McCormick Seasoning and Pan Sauce
- Grilled Pork Chop Recipes with a Smoky, Easy Dry Rub
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Safety notes: safe minimum internal temperatures from USDA FSIS; raw and undercooked fish guidance from the U.S. FDA. Food safety notes
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