This easy Asian Pork Tenderloin is marinated in a sweet and savory scratch made marinade. It is a simple but flavorful weeknight dinner that can be made on the grill, in the oven, or even in the air fryer.
Ingredients for Asian Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Tenderloin (not to be confused with a pork loin!)
- Soy Sauce
- Sesame Oil
- Brown Sugar
- Ketchup
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Chinese Five Spice (optional but recommended)
Mix the marinade ingredients together and pour directly over the pork tenderloin.
Time Saving Tip: Mix the marinade in a gallon plastic bag and marinate the pork in the same bag!
Added Flavor Tip: Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of of marinade and baste the pork tenderloin.
We recommend letting the pork marinate for as little as 4 hours but as long as 24 hours, and also flipping the meat halfway through to assure that the pork is fully submerging in as much flavorful marinade as possible!
Pork Tenderloin can be Baked, Grilled, or Air Fried- Here’s how to cook it with each method.
For all methods, pork is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature at its thickest point of 145-160 degrees fahrenheit. Here is a great guide, check it out to see how you like your pork tenderloin cooked. For all doneness levels of pork, let the pork tenderloin rest for 3 minutes, this helps the juices remain inside the pork, leaving it plump and tender.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Place pork tenderloin on a foil lined baking sheet, sprayed with non stick spray. Bake for 20 minutes, or until pork reaches at least 145 degrees fahrenheit internally.
- Air Fry: Preheat Air fryer to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Spray basket with nonstick spray and place pork into air fryer basket. Cook for 16-20 minutes, or until pork reaches desired doneness between 145-160 degrees fahrenheit.
- Grill: Preheat grill to medium. Spray grates carefully with nonstick spray. Using tongs, place pork tenderloin onto grill. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until pork reaches desired doneness of 145-160 degrees fahrenheit.
To garnish this pork, we like to use green onions and sesame seeds. I like to serve this Asian Pork with white rice and Asian slaw.
What do you think about this recipe? Have questions? Comment below! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, and connect with us on Instagram and tag your @Laughingspatula recipes with #laughingspatula,while you’re at it…We love to see your pics!
Enjoy! – Rachel & Kathi
Asian Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 2-2.5 lb pork tenderloin
Asian Marinade
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (we prefer low sodium)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh garlic or garlic paste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh ginger or ginger paste
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- .5 tsp Chinese five spice (optional but recommended for added flavor)
Instructions
- Combine marinade ingredients. Add pork to marinade and cover (or use a gallon plastic bag tightly sealed). Place in refrigerator for 8-24 hours, rotating halfway through.
- Cook pork tenderloin as desired (bake, grill or airfry)Baking: Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Place pork tenderloin on a foil lined baking sheet, sprayed with non stick spray. Bake for 20 minutes, or until pork reaches at least 145 degrees fahrenheit internally.Air Fry: Preheat Air fryer to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Spray basket with nonstick spray and place pork into air fryer basket. Cook for 16-20 minutes, or until pork reaches desired doneness between 145-160 degrees fahrenheit.Grill: Preheat grill to medium. Spray grates carefully with nonstick spray. Using tongs, place pork tenderloin onto grill. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until pork reaches desired doneness of 145-160 degrees fahrenheit.*For all methods, pork is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature at its thickest point of 145-160 degrees fahrenheit. For all doneness levels of pork, let the pork tenderloin rest for 3 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve & enjoy!
Jeff Nayda says
Five star review is based on the marinade which is really good. My preference for cooking pork tenderloin is to sear all sides over high heat (cast iron skillet or grill ) for a couple of minutes then finish in a 350 degree oven/grill until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees (remove, tent with foil, rest, then slice–there should be a little pink in the center).
Tams says
Defininately making this a part of my usual go-to mealplans. My family loves it.
Matthew Travis says
Great…I’d use a bit less sesame oil next time tho!
Norma Stilwell says
Everyone loved this. I will make it again.
Nancy says
This is fabulous! I have made it twice, once in the air fryer and in the oven. Much better and more tender in the oven. I followed the directions and everyone raved about it. I served it with pineapple rice and an Asian salad.
Brian C. says
Absolutely delicious. I have made it on the grill and baked it in the oven.
George Ridinger says
is that 1/5 teaspoon or 5 it shows .5 not sure thanks
Kathi & Rachel says
Hi George – thats 1/2 teaspoon. Hope you love it!