Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin With Toasted Pepitas
Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin topped with a sprinkling of toasted pepita seeds is a mouthwatering, healthy meal that can be on your kitchen table in less than an hour. There is no fancy cooking, just rub the pork with the spice mixture, pan sear quickly and finish in the oven. The lean and tender pork cooks quickly and can stand up to the bold flavors of the sweet and slightly spicy rub.
Crunchy toasted pepitas add texture, flavor and nutritional goodness to the meal. Pepitas, which are shell less small green seeds, come from a specific pumpkin variety, known as Styrian (Austrian) or Oil Seed thin skin pumpkins and are loaded with health benefits. If your local grocer doesn’t carry the green pumpkin seeds, look for them at health food or Mexican markets.
Of course, you can use a pre made spice rub for this recipe but they can be expensive and loaded with salt and preservatives. It only takes a few minutes to make your own homemade blend that has a mixture of sweet, spicy, hot and salty tastes as I did, using ingredients found in your own spice cabinet.
I served the succulent pork tenderloin with simple mashed sweet potatoes and sautéed tart Granny Smith apples. The pork tenderloin would also be great served with rice and a cool, refreshing tomato and cucumber salad in the summer.
Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin With Toasted Pepitas
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Pork Tenderloin
- 1 – 1 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed of all silverskin
- 2 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
- spice rub (recipe below)
- toasted pepita seeds, for garnish*
Rub the pork tenderloin with 1 Tbsp. oil then cover with the spice rub and pat so the coating adheres. Let the meat marinate for 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate for several hours.
Heat the remaining oil in an ovenproof sauté pan over medium high heat. When the oil starts to shimmer, add the pork and sear on all sides (about 1 to 2 minutes each side). Transfer to the preheated oven and roast until the pork registers 145 degrees (about 10 – 15 minutes, depending on the size of the meat). Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes (the temperature will continue to rise) so the juices redistribute into the meat before slicing. Garnish with toasted pepita seeds, if using, and serve.
Dry Rub For Pork
- 1 tsp. brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp. allspice
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp. chipotle chili
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Whisk all ingredients together, taste a pinch of the mix and adjust spices, if necessary, then set aside. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled and stored in an airtight container to use at another time.
Toasted Pepita Seeds – Green Pumpkin Seeds
- 1/4 c. green pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- a pinch of cayenne (optional)
Heat the oil in a small sauté pan then add the pepitas. Cook, tossing until they turn golden. (Watch carefully so that they don’t burn). Remove from the heat and sprinkle with salt, cumin and cayenne, if using. Let cool on a plate until needed.
*If you would like to make a cup or more of toasted pepitas, you can roast them in the oven. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Toss the green pumpkin seeds with a little olive oil on a large baking sheet large. Spread out in an even layer and roast the seeds on the middle rack of the oven, stirring occasionally, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and immediately toss the seeds with salt, cumin, and cayenne, if using. Let cool for 10 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container.
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This recipe is very flexible so if you can’t find a pork tenderloin, a pork loin roast or chops would also be delicious prepared with the spice rub, just adjust the cooking times appropriately. If you decide to prepare this recipe, you will be creating a healthy meal as it is very low in fat…as we all know, pork is the other white meat. Sides such as the sweet potatoes and apples add to the meal’s overall nutritional value.
That looks wonderful!
Thank you Kay, it really was a good meal.
Sounds delicious Karen. We had a pork tenderloin for dinner last night. Will try your recipe next time. Hope you are doing well at home.
I appreciate your compliment Penny. I believe you would enjoy the pork tenderloin if you get a chance to prepare it.
Pork tenderloin is so juicy, and perfect for this simple yet elegant preparation. Love the apple mash on the side! Hope you are staying well!
Hi David, Thank you for your wish and nice compliment on the pork and apples. We are staying healthy as we haven’t left our home since the 13th of March.
The pepitas are such a great garnish, and I did not realize how healthy they are!
Hi Jenna, The pepitas not only taste good but they really are a healthy addition. Thank you for your compliment.
Sounds delicious! Hope you are doing well.
Thank you Lisa, we really enjoyed the meal. We haven’t left our home since the 13th of March so are well and good. Hope you are as well.
You cannot believe how timely this post is! Have pork tenderloin out and ready for dinner and just bought a huge bag of pepitas. Thanks so much Karen.
That looks delicious and great pork rub!
This sounds really yummy! I love pork tenderloin! Will definitely try it when I can find some pork tenderloin at the store!
Sounds delicious! I just pulled a pork tenderloin out of the freezer this morning. I don’t have pepitas but the rub sounds perfect! I do have apples and sweet potatoes. Thanks for the recipe!
This looks delicious! I’ve been putting plain pepitas in my yogurt lately but may need to save some for this!
That is one fine looking plate of food Karen.
Looks so juicy, tender and tasty!
Angie
http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com
Looks wonderful and delicious. But, I sure am hungry right about now. 🙂
A very nice recipe and a new way to cook pork tenderloin.
That spice rub sounds divine, and so versatile. Stay safe Karen 🙂
I love pork tenderloin! This looks so tempting – making me miss the taste of it. Delicious!
There’s some serious yum going on here! Happy Easter, Karen!
Yes, I like the idea of making your own spice rub! This would be a lovely Easter meal.
Love pork tenderloin, thanks so much for the idea and the recipe, happy Easter!
A lovely way to honor a beautiful pork tenderloin. I love the roasted pumpkin seed topping and the spice rub is a must make for sure.
I think toasted pepitas are great on so many dishes! Karen, your pork tenderloin looks fabulous. 🙂
What a wonderful spice mix, do you use it on anything other than pork? It looks like it would a some real flavor to chicken as well. I am always of mixed feelings with pork tenderloin. It so often comes out a little tough and dry. I have used the sous vide approach with better luck.
What a delicious dinner!
Your spice rub packs some flavor! Really love the whole meal, pork and apples are one of my favorite pairings!
You do come up with the most delicious sounding meals, Karen. And it’s supper time and I’m starved! 🙂 🙂
This sounds delicious, Karen! I love roasting pepitas and using them as a garnish/topping in say a soup, but I’ve never thought about using them in this way. Creative! I would be all about this meal!
Yummmmmmmm! I cannot wait to try this in my own kitchen. Putting it on the shopping list RIGHT NOW. Hugs to you for sharing with all of us!
What a gorgeous recipe and perfect for these days when we crave comfort but not as heavy as some other comfort foods. Our modem/router died so I was really limiting my internet use to work only, but it’s back now so I’ve got some catching up to do. Hope you and your husband are safe and well. XOXO
We love a delicious Pork Tenderloin anytime and it sounds and looks amazing! Thanks for letting me know about your friends making my Vegetable Bird’s Nests, I chuckled at your comment, and I replied, no worries – it will be “our little secret!” LOL!!
xo Stay safe and well Karen.
I still have a pork tenderloin in the freezer, no pepitas but I’m sure I can substitute a different nut. Sounds delicious and if you looked at all the pork tenderloin recipes on my blog you will know it is a favorite 🙂
Yum! I think it looks and sounds wonderful.
That rub sounds wonderful Karen … must try it!
A delicious looking plate. I love pork tenderloin when it’s still juicy and tender. And those apples are a great idea!
We just had Pork Tenderloin… so the next time we have it… I’ll give this a try.