Spiced Portuguese-Style Pork Tenderloin with Garlic and Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender pork tenderloin marinated in garlic, smoked paprika, and spices, then pan-seared and roasted for a flavorful main dish. This Portuguese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs pork tenderloin, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Portuguese cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 pounds pork tenderloin
3 tbsp olive oil
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp lemon juice to create a marinade.
Step 2: Pat dry 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin and rub the marinade all over, coating thoroughly. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
Step 3: Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork tenderloin for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned.
Step 4: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the pork for 15-20 minutes until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 145°F.
Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to preserve juiciness and enhance flavor.