Pan seared and oven roasted cajun pork tenderloin in a cast iron skillet is an easy weeknight dinner. This easy pork tenderloin recipe results in juicy and flavorful pork.
Begin by preheating a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Also preheat the oven to 425F.
While the pan and oven are preheating, remove the silverskin with a sharp boning knife.
Pat the pork tenderloin dry and lightly season with kosher salt. Add about 4 teaspooons of cajun seasoning to the pork tenderloin until generously coated.
Rub the oil onto the pork tenderloin and place into the preheated cast iron skillet. You should hear a sizzle immediately. If you do not, take the pork tenderloin out and allow the pan to preheat for 5 more minutes. Sear one side for 2-3 minutes. Turn the pork tenderloin to the next side and repeat until all four sides have been seared.
Place pork tenderloin, still in the cast iron skillet, in the oven for 6-8 minutes or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145F.
Once the pork has finished cooking, remove the skillet from the oven and allow the pork tenderloin to rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, slice pork tenderloin into medallions and enjoy with your favorite sides.
Notes
Be sure to remove the silverskin before cooking pork tenderloin.
Pork tenderloin will be slightly pink in the middle when cooked to 145F. This is perfectly safe to eat and keeps the pork nice and juicy.
Pork tenderloin and pork loin are not interchangeable.