Marinated Cuban Pork Tenderloin is an easy recipe full of citrus and herb flavors!
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This recipe I put together for Marinated Cuban Pork Tenderloin is a mash up of a couple of different, similar recipes I found while browsing on Pinterest and the Food Network websites. While the pictures I saw on those websites looked amazing, for whatever reason, I really didn’t think I was going to love it. Boy was I wrong! This recipe turned out to be so good that I have already made it several more times and I think I have finally perfected my version!
It is really not that difficult to put it all together, but do keep in mind that the pork tenderloin should really have all night (or at least 8 hours) to marinate for you to be able to get the most flavor. The total cooking time is a bit longer as well, but your pork will come out super tender and so delicious…it’s hard to stop eating it!
After making this a couple times, the biggest change I have made was finally deciding to reserve some of the marinade to use as a drizzle after the pork has cooked (sorry I did not get good photos of the marinade on the pork due to lack of light!). I found that the flavoring on the outside of the pork was so crispy and so unbelievably tasty, that I just wanted more and more and more of that! Warming the reserved marinade and using it as sauce to drizzle over the sliced pork tenderloin most definitely gave me that extra flavor that I was looking for and can’t get enough of!
Fresh is always best, but if you can’t find fresh cilantro or mint, I have used dried before and the end result is still really delicious!
We go all kinds of island crazy with side dishes to go along with this recipe too! I always make plantains, cooked with a little brown sugar and vanilla extract, and my famous Creamy Coconut Rice (Jaxon requests it every single time I ask if there is anything he would like for dinner each week). I can’t even imagine what else I would make as side dishes because I love this combination so much! It’s one of my favorite dinners to make!
If you are craving a little taste of the islands, or just looking for a new and different way to make pork, go ahead and give this Marinated Cuban Pork Tenderloin a try! I think you will agree it’s worthy of ending up on your regular dinner rotation too!
Enjoy!
Cuban Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 orange * zested
- 1 cup orange juice * fresh squeezed
- 1 lime * zested
- 1/2 cup lime juice * fresh squeezed
- 1 cup cilantro * finely chopped
- 1/4 cup mint leaves * finely chopped
- 8 cloves garlic * minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 pounds boneless pork tenderloin * trimmed of any excess fat
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange zest, orange juice, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, mint, garlic, oregano and cumin. Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade.
- Add the remaining marinade to a large zip top bag (or a container with a lid) and add the pork. Let the pork marinate in the fridge overnight, or at least 8 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and heat a large skillet on medium-high.
- Remove the pork tenderloin from the marinade. Discard the marinade and add the pork to the hot skillet.
- Cook on each side, until just browned, about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Remove the pork from the skillet and place on a baking sheet.
- Place the prepared pork tenderloin in the oven and cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 150°F.
- Transfer to a cutting board, cover with foil and allow pork to rest for 5-10 minutes.
- While the pork rests, warm the reserved marinade in a saucepan over low heat.
- Slice the pork, drizzle with the reserved marinade, and serve.
Notes
Tips and Techniques for the Best Cuban Pork Tenderloin
- Marinate the pork for at least 8 hours for the most flavor.
- Fresh is always best. I have used dried herbs and bottled juices in the past and the end result is still really delicious.
- Store leftover pork tenderloin in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
Tara says
November 1, 2018 at 2:27 pmThis pork tenderloin looks incredible! Love those flavors and it definitely sounds perfect paired with plantains and your creamy coconut rice.
Jillian says
November 1, 2018 at 2:19 pmOk, this is mouthwatering! YUM!
Danielle says
November 1, 2018 at 1:45 pmYum! This looks delicious! I love the step by step instructions as well.
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
November 1, 2018 at 1:31 pmI never seem to know how to flavor pork loin.. This looks like a great option!
Lisa Bynum says
November 1, 2018 at 12:28 pmI’m always on the lookout for a new pork loin recipe because I feel like I make it the same way over and over again. This really sounds delicious.
Larry King says
March 8, 2018 at 10:05 amHello,
I know this might sound dumb or odd, but if I were to get some thin sliced pork roast from the Kroger deli could I marinate it in in your Cuban recipe and achieve some of the flavor by heating it up for a Cuban sandwich? I really don’t want to cook a whole pork roast.
Thanks
Larry King
Lauren says
March 8, 2018 at 7:01 pmHi Larry! I think this would work out great! I actually like to save some of the marinade to pork over the pork after it’s done cooking because I want as much of the flavoring as possible 🙂 Let me know how it goes if you try it! Lauren
kristen says
June 8, 2016 at 12:05 amthis looks amazing. I love cuban food and I love that this is paleo too! Thanks for the delicious recipe! I cannot wait to make this! pinning for later!
ourlittleeverything says
June 8, 2016 at 10:02 amYay! Hope you enjoy, it’s one of my favorites!
Shann says
June 7, 2016 at 8:24 pmYum! This sounds delicious! So many great flavors that you’ve put together. Pinning to make for the family. And I LOVE plantains too!
ourlittleeverything says
June 8, 2016 at 10:03 amI don’t think I would make this if I couldn’t get plantains! They just go so well together that now it’s how I HAVE to have it lol! Thanks for pinning!
Maggie Unzueta says
June 7, 2016 at 4:24 pmLove this recipe so much. Printing now. Can’t wait to try this out.
ourlittleeverything says
June 8, 2016 at 10:03 amLet me know what you think!!
Candy says
June 7, 2016 at 1:18 pmAlways looking for new ways to fix pork tenderloin. Sounds delicious.
ourlittleeverything says
June 8, 2016 at 10:04 amThank you Candy!
linda spiker says
June 7, 2016 at 11:23 amI adore port tenderloin! Great recipe. Thanks!
ourlittleeverything says
June 8, 2016 at 10:04 amThanks for stopping by Linda 🙂
Ann says
May 4, 2016 at 10:30 amYum! I absolutely love cuban marinated anything. I got rid of all of my recipe boards on pinterest, but had to create a private one to pin to because I don’t want to forget this. Thanks!
ourlittleeverything says
May 4, 2016 at 12:04 pmI’m with you – ever since my first bite of island-inspired food, I want it ALL! haha!