Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Sauce

Are you looking for an easy, flavor-packed entree for your table this holiday season? Look no further than this Spiced Pork Tenderloin recipe and make it with Cranberry Relish while you’re at it!

Ingredients

You will easily be able to find all of these spiced pork tenderloin ingredients at your local grocery store.

• Pork tenderloin – You want to look for a piece of meat with bright pink color and some marbling. Marbling is the fat structure within the meat. If there isn’t any, your meat could dry out. Remember fat = flavor.
• Salt and pepper – We use a simple blend of fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Keep in mind that different salts measure differently.
• Spices – I use a combination of nutmeg and ground cloves. They’re warm spices and add to the holiday flavor, while complementing the cranberry perfectly.
• Orange zest – We use the zest of one orange. You can use the orange juice for breakfast in the morning!
• Cranberry relish – My recipe uses a combination of fresh cranberries, sugar, fresh orange juice, orange zest and coarse kosher salt.

Variations

This is one of my favorite pork recipes because it’s so easy to customize! Here are a few suggestions.

• Seasoning blend – I like to use nutmeg and cloves to complement the holiday flavors of the cranberry relish, but feel free to mix it up. Garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika and ground ginger would all be great to add to your dry rub.
• Fresh herbs – Adding things like fresh thyme, fennel seeds, fresh garlic or rosemary would pair nicely.
• Cranberry relish – Not making this for the holidays? Pair the pork tenderloin with another fruit sauce. A mango salsa would pair nicely with cooked pork too.
• Spicy – If you want to give your pork a bit of a kick, try adding chile powder or red pepper flakes to the dry spices.
• Other cuts of pork – If you don’t have enough mouths or access to a whole tenderloin, you can just as easily make the same recipe with thick-cut pork chops. Bone-in or bone-out, doesn’t matter, either would be just divine.

How to Make Spiced Pork Tenderloin

Making this easy pork tenderloin recipe couldn’t be easier! Just follow these simple steps.

1. Prepare oven and baking dish. Preheat oven and coat a baking dish with cooking spray. Make sure that the dish is large enough to allow room around the tenderloin.
2. Combine spice rub ingredients. In a small bowl, combine fine sea salt through orange zest. Rub all over pork tenderloin and place in the baking dish.
3. Bake. Bake uncovered in preheated oven until thickest portion registers at 155-160 degrees for the internal temperature. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature.
4. Rest and top with cranberry relish. Allow to rest on cutting board at room temperature before slicing into 1-inch pieces. Smother with cranberry relish.

What to Serve with Spiced Pork Tenderloin

There are so many great sides that would pair perfectly with this spice pork tenderloin recipe. A fabulous rice like ginger rice, roasted sweet potatoes or frozen peas would all be a perfect match.

This would also be a great thing to serve as a holiday main dish. Serve with your favorite side dishes to make it a complete meal.

Storage and Freezing

How to Store 

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Store the pork separate from the cranberry relish.

Can I Freeze Spiced Pork Tenderloin?

Absolutely you can. Freeze the pork whole or in slices in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Store separately from the cranberry relish.

More Holiday Recipes

Besides getting together with family, the best part of the holidays is the FOOD. Here are some of our favorite holiday recipes.

Seafood Main Dishes

Broiled Lobster Tails with Lemon Butter

4.43 from 14 votes

Beef Main Dishes

Reverse Sear Beef Tenderloin with Blueberry Sauce

4.91 from 11 votes

Turkey Main Dishes

Martha Stewart Turkey Cheesecloth Recipe

4.42 from 24 votes

Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Sauce

5 from 11 votes

Spiced Pork Tenderloin is tender pork rubbed with spices and roasted to perfection. The amazing aroma coming from the oven is just a holiday bonus!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin , there are generally two per package
• 1 coarse sea salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• Zest of one orange
• Cranberry Relish
• Cooking Spray
• Garnish with cranberries thyme and orange slices. Make Stovetop Holiday Potpourri with leftovers.

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray, making sure that the dish is large enough to allow room around the tenderloin. Pat the tenderloins dry with a paper towel. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the coarse sea salt, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, and orange zest. Rub the seasoning all over the pork tenderloins and place them in the baking dish.
• Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until thickest portion registers at 160°F.
• Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into 1-inch pieces.
• Smother the sliced tenderloin with prepared cranberry relish.
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 215 kcal, Carbohydrates: 2 g, Protein: 35 g, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 110 mg, Sodium: 1835 mg, Potassium: 698 mg, Calcium: 23 mg, Iron: 1.9 mg

Author: Chef Jessica Anne

Calories: 215

Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pork tenderloin recipe, spiced pork

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