Humans have been enjoying pork since the Stone Age, when early man hunted and ate wild boar. Thankfully, cooking methods and recipes have improved since the days when a well-stocked kitchen was nothing more than a sharp stick and a hot fire. Today, many cuts of pork are available, and modern breeding practices provide leaner cuts of pork than our ancestors may have eaten. A fillet of pork tenderloin is one of the leanest cuts of pork you can serve. In fact, MayoClinic.com suggests eating pork tenderloin as part of a healthy diet.
Step 1
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Place the pork fillet in a lightly oiled, oven-safe dish.
Step 3
Cook the tenderloin for approximately 45 minutes per pound, depending on how frozen it is. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends increasing the cooking time for frozen pork by 50 percent, and the suggested time for cooking a thawed 1/2-pound to 1.5-pound tenderloin is 20 to 30 minutes. If your tenderloin fillet is partially thawed, adjust your estimated cooking time accordingly.
Step 4
Place a meat thermometer into the thickest section of the fillet. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for all cuts of whole pork. For flavor and tenderness, do not allow it to reach more than 160 degrees.
Step 5
Remove the tenderloin from the oven,,cover it with aluminum foil, and allow it to rest for 3 minutes before serving. Resting gives meat the time to reabsorb its natural juices after cooking.
Tips and Warnings
- Use slices of leftover pork tenderloin to make sandwiches or add protein to salads. Fold it into tortillas for tacos, or float it in a bowl of Asian-style noodles. Shop for pork that has a small amount of visible fat on the outside and has firm, pinkish flesh.
- Eating undercooked pork or may cause trichinosis. Salmonella, listeria and staphylococcus may also be contracted by eating undercooked meat or handling it improperly. Follow USDA guidelines for handling and cooking fresh and frozen pork.
Things You'll Need
- Cooking oil
- Oven-safe dish
- Meat thermometer
- Aluminum foil
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