Four-Spice Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-28 · Updated 2026-07-28

Juicy pork tenderloin rubbed with a blend of four complementary spices, roasted to perfection and paired with creamy garlic mashed potatoes. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs pork tenderloin, ground black pepper, ground smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp ground smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 medium, peeled and quartered russet potatoes
• 4 whole garlic cloves
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this pork with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp ground smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground thyme, and 1 tsp salt.
2. Step 2: Rub the 1.5 lb pork tenderloin evenly with 2 tbsp olive oil, then coat all sides generously with the four-spice seasoning blend.
3. Step 3: Place the pork tenderloin on a roasting rack in a baking dish and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove from oven and tent with foil, resting 10 minutes before slicing.
4. Step 4: While the pork roasts, place 4 medium peeled and quartered russet potatoes and 4 whole garlic cloves in a large pot. Cover with cold water, add 1 tsp salt, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
5. Step 5: Drain potatoes and garlic, then mash together with 4 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup milk. Season with salt and black pepper to taste for creamy garlic mashed potatoes.
6. Step 6: Slice the rested pork tenderloin and serve alongside the mashed potatoes for a balanced meal.