This easy-to-follow Pepper Crusted Pork Tenderloin recipe uses a simple, wonderfully aromatic cracked peppercorn rub, plus Dijon mustard, to create a delightful main dish that is perfect for family meals or holiday dinners. First, seared in a cast iron skillet to seal in the juices then baked in an oven, this Perfect Pepper Crusted Pork Loin is melt in your mouth tender with a fiery little pepper kick!
Every now and then, you’ve just got to spice things up! And this little tenderloin recipe with its peppercorn crust comes in mighty handy whenever those times happen to roll around. This fail proof recipe creates a gorgeous main dish that doesn’t require a lot of fuss or break the bank but still delivers all the bang just as if it did!
What You Need To Make The Perfect Pepper Crusted Pork Loin
- 2lb pork tenderloin
- cracked black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- minced garlic
- salt
- dijon mustard
- olive oil
Just look at that tender and juicy tenderloin and that peppercorn crust. All that pepper has a wonderfully spicy, earthy aroma that invitingly beckons your family and guests to the table and compliments a whole host of side dishes. And the pork loin itself is a deliciously tender white meat that is as heartily satisfying as red meat.
Another great thing about this recipe is that it can prepared on the grill too! Wow, just imagine those delicious aromas tickling your nose and making mouthwatering promises of a perfect meal to come!
What to Serve with Pepper Crusted Pork Tenderloin
- Horseradish Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese & Garlic
- Southern Green Beans & New Potatoes
- Layered Strawberry Jello Salad
- Garlic Honey Glazed Carrots
- Cornbread & Squash Dressing
Is this a spicy recipe?
- Yes, it is! But you can cut back its fieriness by using only half of the amounts of the peppers in your rub.
Can I cook this in the slow cooker instead of the oven or grill?
- Sure! Your peppercorn crust won’t be as “crusty,” but the flavor will still be there. Add 1- 1 ½ C of beef broth to your crock pot before adding your pepper crusted pork loin, then cook for 4 hours on low.
More Main Dish Recipes to Love!
- Classic Family Pot Roast
- Roasted Creole Turkey Breast
- Tender Roasted Buttermilk Chicken
- Perfect Cast Iron Skillet Steak
- Southern Pecan Chicken
The Perfect Pepper Crusted Pork Loin
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork tenderloin
- 2 tablespoon cracked black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
- Combine cracked peppercorns, red pepper and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Pat pork loin dry with paper towel. Rub with mustard and garlic, covering all sides and ends. Now, coat all sides and ends with peppercorn rub.
- Heat olive oil in cast iron skillet. When hot, place tenderloin in skillet and sear on all sides. Use tongs to carefully turn the tenderloin. If some of the rub sticks, just scrape from the bottom of the skillet and pat back onto pork loin.
- When pork loin has been seared, place in baking dish and bake at 375° until an inner temperature of 145-150 has been reached (about 40-45 minutes). Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
What are we supposed to do with minced garlic and when? It’s listed in the short form recipe but not in the directions. Otherwise I seared the tenderloin and put it in the oven as per directions. It’s smells great! I promise to post a proper review after we eat. Thanks!
Hi, Lucy! The mustard and the garlic are mixed together. They coat the tenderloin, then the dry seasonings are rubbed on. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Absolutely delicious. My husband and I love spice so we doubled the red pepper. The pork came out extremely tender, had powerful flavor and a nice crusted outer texture. This one was easy to prepare and absolutely delicious – it’s a keeper!
Thanks, Kelsey! I am just tickled that you and your husband loved this recipe!
Made this last night for me, my partner and a teenage son, there was nothing left over at all, it was super nice even though I went a bit over board with the black pepper, it´s defenately a keeper and thank you for sharing the recepi. Have a good week 🙂 Rakel x
Hi, Rakel! I am just tickled you loved this simple recipe. The pepper and the pork are so good together, it’s hard to beat! Thank you so much.
Tender and delicious! yes. it is spicy, but I pared it with lightly sweetened apples.. husband loved it!
Hi, Cindy! LOVE it with apples! Delish! I am so glad you made this recipe and your husband enjoyed it. I hope it will find its way to your table again. Thank you so much!
I’m thinking the same thing, thanks for writing inI bought the apples with tenderloin onsale and it’s a healthy dish for so many diets if I don’t add to much suagr or salt when it’s all done.
Hi there, do you place this in a covered baking sheet or keep it uncovered when placing it into the oven. Thanks
Hi, Shannon! I place it in an uncovered baking dish. But feel free to cover it in the last 15-20 minutes of cooking if you feel it is getting too brown or drying out. If you are using a cast iron skillet to sear the tenderloin, you can also just bake it right in the skillet too. Hope this helps!