Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Garlic Butter
Tender pork tenderloin seared to a perfect crust, served with roasted asparagus and a rich garlic butter sauce for a low-carb dinner. This american-inspired keto (high-protein) ready in about 40 minutes pairs pound pork tenderloin, tablespoon olive oil, asparagus for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 174 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 pound pork tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup asparagus
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 pound pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork for 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F oven and roast for 12-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Step 3: While pork roasts, toss 1/2 cup trimmed asparagus with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 5: Slice pork and serve with roasted asparagus, drizzled with garlic butter sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Garlic Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pound pork tenderloin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Garlic Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Garlic Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Garlic Butter high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.