Pork tenderloin is often enjoyed as the main dish at family dinners, holidays, and special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
It’s a great choice because it’s simple to prepare and cook in minutes while remaining moist and flavorful the whole time. But what to serve with pork tenderloin?
What to serve with pork tenderloin to take it from good to great and complement its light flavor while adding interesting textures and unique flavors are listed below.
From classic mashed potatoes to a unique mushroom casserole or sweet potato fries, there’s something here that every taste bud will love.
Here, the list of what to serve with pork tenderloin is made.
1. Roasted Cabbage Steaks
If you are looking for what to serve with pork tenderloin, you can’t go wrong with roasted cabbage steaks.
The procedure for preparing it is as thus:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Remove the core of the cabbage head by slicing off the stem end. Making two crosswise cuts from top to bottom on both sides of the core, you can extract it with your hands. (You can also use a sharp knife).
2. Roasted Cauliflower
Roasting cauliflower is an easy way to make this vegetable taste delicious. To roast cauliflower, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut the cauliflower into florets and toss them in a bowl with olive oil or melted butter, salt, and pepper.
Spread the florets out on a baking sheet in one layer. Bake them for 15-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and tender. Roasted cauliflower pairs nicely as what to serve with pork tenderloins.
3. Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Whipped sweet potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish with regard to what to serve with pork tenderloin.
You can make them in the microwave or on the stovetop, and both methods take about the same amount of time.
Start by washing sweet potatoes and poking holes in them with a fork. Place them in a large pot filled halfway with water and bring them to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for about 15 minutes or until fork tender.
Next, drain the potatoes, return them to the pot, and add milk, butter (or margarine), salt, and pepper to taste. Whip until smooth using an electric mixer or immersion blender while heating through on low heat.
4. Brussels Sprout Salad
This Brussels Sprout Salad is a healthy, hearty, delicious side dish that goes perfectly with any main dish. Brussels sprouts are low in calories, high in fiber, and provide many health benefits.
Furthermore, the salad is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and iron. Its benefits guarantee it stays on the list of what to serve with pork tenderloins.
5. Couscous Salad
Couscous salad, the next on the list of what to serve with pork tenderloins, is an easy side dish that’s flavorful and filling.
Here are the ingredients you need: couscous, carrots, raisins, pimentos, green onion, fresh parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
In a medium bowl, combine the couscous and add water. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes or until all water is absorbed.
Fluff with a fork, then add carrot slices (sliced thin), raisins or currants (sultanas), pimento pieces (chopped), and chopped green onion.
Then, stir in chopped fresh parsley leaves and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice to taste. Add salt if needed, then serve warm or at room temperature.
6. Roasted Green Beans
Green beans are definitely on the list of what to serve with pork tenderloins. Also, they are easy to prepare.
Simply toss them in a bit of oil, salt, and pepper. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Green beans have a mild flavor that goes well with any number of foods, including pork tenderloin. This recipe creates crunchy beans with an almost caramelized flavor from cooking at high heat.
Pairing green beans as a side dish are simple; just add some fresh lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper while they’re still warm.
7. Roasted Carrots With Oranges
Roasting carrots really brings out their natural sweetness. Try serving them alongside pork tenderloin; then, you will realize why they are part of what to serve with pork tenderloins.
Here are the procedures for preparing it: Peel and cut baby carrots. Place in a roasting pan with orange juice, olive oil, and salt, then toss to coat.
Roast at 425 degrees F for 20 minutes until softened. After the meat has been removed from the oven, add the juice of one orange.
Next, turn up the heat for about 5–10 minutes or until tender and browned on the bottom side. Pour over the top before serving; garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
8. Garlic Mushrooms
These mushrooms are delicious as a side dish and go perfectly with pork tenderloin. Follow these steps to get them prepared: preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
Get a cast-iron skillet or pan and spray it with cooking oil, then heat it on medium-high for 10 minutes.
After that’s done, turn down the heat to medium and chop up about 6 cloves of garlic in half lengthwise. (You can leave them whole if you don’t want them too strong).
Then put about 6 stems worth of rosemary into the pan, lightly pressing them down so they can soak up some oil. Think no further when the question of what to serve with pork tenderloins comes up!
9. Fig And Arugula Salad
Fig And Arugula Salad is one of my favorite summer salads. If you want a beautiful appetizer, side dish, or main dish that’s also healthy and full of flavor, you have to try it. The sweet taste of fresh figs combined with savory cheese and arugula is amazing.
However, I like serving it in nice glasses as an elegant appetizer, but you can also serve it as a side dish for dinner.
It can also be served as a main course if you are vegetarian and serve it with some crusty bread. It’s tasty either way! Just give yourself some time to prepare it.
Fig And Arugula Salad isn’t very complicated but needs several hours for all ingredients to marinate properly. Well, with this on what to serve with pork tenderloins, you are on course!
10. Farro With Carrots And Chickpeas
Farro (pronounced far-row) is an ancient grain, originally cultivated in Northern Africa but now widely cultivated all over Europe.
Farro stands out from most other grains because it has a chewy texture and a sweet flavor, making it ideal for use in soups and salads.
When cooked, farro becomes soft and creamy, which pairs perfectly with its sweeter sidekick: carrots.
Still wondering why it’s on the list of what to serve with pork tenderloins? See why: Carrots are packed with fiber and vitamin A; vegetables such as carrots provide more vitamins than refined carbohydrates (such as white rice or pasta), despite having fewer calories. Eureka!
11. Parmesan Baked Asparagus
There are lots of great veggie sides that can make a meal really delicious. One of my favorites is asparagus; it pairs well with pretty much any meat and is super simple to make.
Simply lay out your asparagus on a baking sheet, coat in some olive oil, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Next, bake in an oven at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes or until soft and tender. When you take them out of the oven, garnish them with salt, pepper, or garlic powder.
Make sure you have extra parmesan cheese on hand because they won’t be around long once you start eating them!
12. Creamed Corn
Corn may be a summer staple, but it’s just as perfect in the winter. Take creamed corn. You’ll need to blanch some corn kernels, puree them with heavy cream and add salt and pepper.
If you really want to get fancy, add some green onions or parmesan cheese. Not only will it go great with your pork tenderloin dinner, but it also goes perfectly on its own!
13. Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice is an easy and flavorful way to dress up plain white rice. Plus, it’s super simple and gets its flavors from fresh ingredients like lime zest and juice. Use fresh cilantro instead of parsley or dried mint leaves for an authentic Mexican flavor.
If you’re looking for a vegetarian side dish, try serving it alongside grilled vegetables or a ratatouille. Or go all out and have it as part of your favorite burrito recipe!
In fact, any meal that calls for chicken or fish would be even better if accompanied by some spicy-sweet cilantro lime rice on the side.
It goes great with a pork tenderloin — so don’t be afraid to serve it as part of your next dinner party menu!
14. Garlic Sauteed Broccoli
Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse and has been shown to protect against heart disease, cancer, and age-related cognitive decline.
To add some flavor without adding a lot of calories, sauté broccoli in garlic and olive oil. This broccoli dish will complement pork tenderloin perfectly as it marries savory flavors with a delicate texture.
Mix it together with your favorite white wine. If you’re looking for something a bit more savory, try a full-bodied red such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
Finish off by sprinkling some lemon zest over the top before serving for an extra pop of flavor! Think what to serve with pork tenderloins; think garlic sauteed broccoli!
15. Apple-Bacon Slaw
Apple-Bacon Slaw is crunchy and sweet, making it a great complement to many different types of pork. It’s also incredibly easy to prepare — just three ingredients cooked together in a large pan.
This slaw pairs beautifully with chicken, beef, and lamb, so make enough for leftovers later in the week.
Although Apple-Bacon Slaw has just 70 calories per serving and less than 1 gram of fat, feel free to garnish servings with additional apple slices.
Or crumble some bacon on top if that’s what you’re craving! What more could you ask for on what to serve with pork tenderloins?
16. Applesauce
Applesauce is a sweet, flavorful fruit side dish that’s also healthy. In fact, apples are low in fat and calories and high in fiber. Additionally, they contain antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamins C, E, and K.
For a tasty applesauce recipe, blend chopped apples with water, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Simmer until the apples are soft.
Add honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness if desired! No doubt about what to serve with pork tenderloins when applesauce is involved.
17. Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad is an easy and tasty side dish. And it’s super healthy, too! What more can you ask for? It can’t be left out of the list of what to serve with pork tenderloins.
It goes great with pork tenderloin or any other kind of roasted meat. And it’s really easy to prepare – combine all ingredients in a big bowl and mix well. Leftovers are great for lunch. Enjoy!
18. Creamy Spinach Parmesan Orzo
One of these sides is for your next dinner party, and you are sure it will succeed. It is so simple, delicious, and fast! Serve it warm or cold.
What You Need: uncooked orzo, heavy cream, butter, packed fresh spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. How To Make It: Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain; set aside.
Proceeding, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, bring heavy cream and butter to a boil. Remove from heat; add spinach; cover and let stand for 3 minutes. Uncover, adding pasta; toss until coated.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. With this available, worry not about what to serve with pork tenderloins.
19. Polenta
This Italian cornmeal dish is a little different from regular cornmeal. Instead of simply boiling it, polenta is slow-cooked and stirred on an open flame. It’s then sliced and served alongside meats, poultry, and seafood dishes.
However, some recipes call for cheese in the polenta mixture, while others are made without any dairy ingredients.
Try serving pork tenderloin with a side of mashed potatoes or baked potato wedges and a leafy green vegetable like spinach or asparagus. The question of what to serve with pork tenderloins disappears!
This is one meal where you may want to go ahead and serve dessert! Enjoy berry pie, bread pudding, or cobbler for dessert after your pork tenderloin dinner.
20. Mac And Cheese Casserole
Macaroni and cheese are a perennial family favorite. But when it’s served as a side dish for pork tenderloin, its gooey goodness becomes even more incredible.
The classic casserole is baked together in one dish. So your side dish doubles as your main course if you’re looking to serve up a filling meal that doesn’t take long to make.
For an even tastier twist on mac and cheese, throw in some bacon or crumbled sausage. Cooked-to-perfection bacon also crumbles double as a garnish for pork tenderloin. With Mac and cheese casserole, what to serve with pork tenderloins is no qualms.
21. Fried Apple And Onions
This is a perfect example of an easy side dish you can make in minutes and serve alongside a pork tenderloin meal.
This dish includes apples, onions, oil, and maple syrup. Fry these up while your pork is cooking, and you’ll have a deliciously sweet side dish that won’t have you running for second helpings.
In fact, these are so good that it will be hard not to eat more than one portion! Still, confused as to what to serve with pork tenderloins? Fried Apple and Onions!
22. Oven Roasted Plums
To prepare: chop and toss plums, lemon juice, honey, shallots, and thyme in a bowl. Mix well. Add salt and pepper.
Next, arrange plums on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper, and season each plum with salt and pepper.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until plums are tender – about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the plums. How can these be sidelined when what to serve with pork tenderloins question appears?
23. Honey Butter Smashed Potatoes
Potatoes make an easy side dish that’s sure to fill up your family. If you can find a good deal on fresh new potatoes, try making mashed potatoes for a down-home taste.
To start, place some butter into a frying pan over medium heat. After that, cut your potatoes into large chunks and add them to your pan once it’s hot and melted.
Let those bad boys cook for about 10 minutes until they’re nice and golden brown on both sides. Sprinkle them with salt before serving!
24. Jiffy Corn Casserole
Like most casseroles, there is nothing difficult about preparing Jiffy Corn Casserole. Simply combine all of its ingredients into a casserole dish, mix well and bake. If you’re in a hurry, you can use frozen corn instead of fresh.
It makes for a creamy side dish that tastes amazing alongside pork tenderloin or any other grilled meat entrée. What to serve with pork tenderloins? There’s your answer!
Conclusion
There’s nothing like a juicy pork tenderloin to bring the taste of home-cooked goodness to your dinner table. But don’t be afraid to spice it up and change it up!
If you serve this delicious cut of meat with the same side dishes every time, your family will get tired of them fast and might start opting out of dinner time altogether! The aforementioned list of what to serve with pork tenderloins is perfect for keeping everyone happy and full!
