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PORK · Cut

Tenderloin

Fillet · psoas · filet mignon of pork

Tenderloin
Julo · Public domain

A slim muscle tucked under the spine that does almost nothing for a living. It is the most tender thing on the animal and also the least forgiving: with barely any fat, the window between juicy and sawdust is only a few degrees wide.

Profile

Tenderness92
Marbling20
Umami55
Price66

Pairs with

Quick roasting90
Stir-fry78
Grilling70

Recommended cooking

60–63°CTake it off early

Sear hard, finish gently, and pull it a couple of degrees below target — a piece this thin keeps climbing off the heat.

How to pick it

Ask for the silverskin removed, or take it off yourself: it shrinks in the pan and curls the whole muscle.

Grading & naming

The leanest pork primal — colour should stay light pink with almost no intramuscular fat required.

Grading systems →

Nutrition · Per 100 g raw edible portion

120kcalCalories
22gProtein
3.5gFat
1.2gSaturated fat

Calories & protein →

Next steps

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Pork Primals

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Temperatures are guidance for whole-muscle cuts. Ground meat and poultry need 71°C / 160°F throughout.