Pork Tenderloin Spice Rub

While there are certainly premade rubs out there, this specific rub is hands down one of our favorites, and it comes together with the herbs & spices we already keep in the house. Plus, you can use this rub for more than just pork tenderloin! 

Jump to:

• 🛒 Ingredients
• 📖 Instructions
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Chef Tip
• 🌶 The Spice Rub
• 🔥 Cooking Instructions
• 🥗 Sides
• 📖 Recipe

🛒 Ingredients

• Pork Tenderloin
• Chili Powder
• Chipotle Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Onion Powder
• Fresh Ground Pepper
• Kosher Salt

📖 Instructions

Let's get started by creating our spice blend by mixing together all the spices EXCLUDING your kosher salt & fresh ground pepper.

We'll want to pat down the pork tenderloins with a paper towel until dry which will help make sure it doesn't stick to the pan. Then season liberally with kosher salt & fresh ground pepper. We want to do this separately so we have control over how much salt we want

Next add your seasoning, making sure to flip your tenderloin and cover all sides. The more you add the more flavor you will have. You have control here as well.

Set a large saute pan or cast iron skillet on high heat, letting it get very hot. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan and then add your tenderloin.

Don't move it around, rather, let it sit and sear for 2-3 minutes or until it has a nice brown crust.

Flip and repeat the same process on the other side and once all sides are browned, move to a sheet tray lined with foil. Note: If you are using an oven-safe pan, you can skip this step!

Move to a 350-degree oven or smoker for 10-20 minutes or until the center has reached 145 (it will still be slightly pink in the center which is just fine!).

Remove, slice, and enjoy!

👩🏼‍🍳 Chef Tip

The USDA updated their cooking temperatures for pork a while back and people are still nervous about it. The new recommendation is to cook pork to 145 degrees internal temperature. It used to be 160!

This makes chefs like me happy because we get to produce juicy delicious pork easier! If you are still nervous about undercooking your pork, get an instant-read thermometer to settle your nerves.

🌶 The Spice Rub

Easy enough to throw together, this Pork Tenderloin Spice Rub is a blend of Chili Powder, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Oregano, Cocoa, and Pepper. Note that we didn't add salt to this. Whenever we make rubs, we always leave the salt out! Preferring rather, to season whatever it is that we are making directly with salt first. 

If you add salt to the rub, you may unintentionally over-salt your dish. If you keep the salt separate, you can always add as much rub as you'd like! Bottom line... salt first & then season until your heart is content. 

This recipe covers two pork tenderloins perfectly. If you have extra or want to make a double batch you can easily store this mix in an air-tight container and use it time and time again. 

🔥 Cooking Instructions

We highly recommend searing your pork tenderloin in a cast iron pan and finishing it in a 350-degree oven or smoker. Either is an excellent choice that we personally do all the time. 

Whichever you choose, make sure the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 degrees. Leaving the pork ever so slightly pink, tender, and unbelievably delicious. 

🥗 Sides

Being that pork tenderloin is so neutral in flavor, and the spice blend uses a variety of flavors you can pair with, you have so many options when it comes to what to serve alongside your pork. Most recently we paired ours with Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese and Roasted Smoked Vegetables. 

📖 Recipe