Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin

Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin is marinated in lime juice, garlic, olive oil, and oregano, then grilled or oven roasted until juicy and tender. Serve it with rice, warm pita, fresh vegetables, and tzatziki for an easy Mediterranean-inspired dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bright Mediterranean flavor from lime, garlic, olive oil, and oregano
• Easy marinade with simple ingredients
• Juicy, tender pork every time
• Grill or oven friendly
• Great for gyros, bowls, or dinner plates
• Perfect for entertaining or meal prep

This Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin has been one of my favorite easy entertaining recipes for years. The marinade is simple but packed with bright flavor from lime juice, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. You can grill the pork or roast it in the oven, then serve it as a simple dinner or slice it thin for gyro-style wraps and bowls. It’s one of those reliable recipes that feels impressive without requiring much effort.

Ingredients for Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin

This marinade combines lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and oregano for bright, fresh flavor that works beautifully with pork tenderloin, chicken, or even grilled vegetables.

Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin cooks quickly and stays tender with this citrus marinade. Be sure not to confuse pork tenderloin with pork loin.

Fresh Lime Juice

Fresh lime juice gives the pork its bright Mediterranean flavor and helps tenderize the meat.

Garlic and Oregano

Classic Mediterranean flavors that pair beautifully with pork.

Olive Oil

Use a good olive oil for the best flavor in the marinade.

How to make Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin-

Make the marinade

The lime-garlic marinade comes together in minutes with olive oil, oregano, and fresh garlic.

Marinate the pork

Marinate the pork for at least 2 hours for the best flavor and tenderness.

Grill or roast

Cook on the grill for smoky flavor or roast in the oven for an easy year-round option.

If using a charcoal grill to cook these tenderloins, I like to leave at least 1/3 of the grill free of charcoals so I can move the meat over if they’re browning too fast. Heat a gas grill to medium heat or heat an oven to 350F degrees. The flavors from grilling are fabulous but truly you’ll get a wonderful finish in the oven as well. (Pictures shown above for a double recipe)

I check the tenderloins every 5 or 10 minutes at first to make sure they’re not getting burnt on the outside, then after about 25 minutes total grill time I start checking the internal temperature. The internal temperature should be around 145F degrees. This ensures the tenderloin is juicy, tender, and barely pink- perfect.

Rest and slice

Let the pork rest briefly before slicing thinly against the grain.

If you like the Gyro idea, here is what I serve with the tenderloins: Cooked rice, charred flour tortillas, tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, mint leaves, lime wedges, tzatziki sauce or plain Greek yogurt, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Or serve it simply with a fresh side like a Cucumber Sesame Salad or tossed salad with a simple vinaigrette. Honestly, this is one of my favorite easy dinners for feeding a crowd with very little effort. But however you serve the Mediterranean Pork Tenderloins, I’m confident you’ll be making the recipe again and again. And remember to try it with chicken, too!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Mediterranean pork tenderloin ahead of time?
Yes. The pork can be cooked up to 3 days ahead and reheated gently or served cold in wraps, bowls, or salads.

Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Absolutely. Chicken breasts or thighs work very well with this Mediterranean marinade. Lemon juice also works beautifully in place of lime.

Can I cook pork tenderloin in the oven instead of grilling?
Yes. Roast the pork tenderloin at 400°F until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

How long should I marinate pork tenderloin?
For the best flavor and texture, marinate the pork for at least 2 hours and up to 5 hours.

What temperature should pork tenderloin be cooked to?
Cook pork tenderloin to an internal temperature of 145°F, then let it rest briefly before slicing.

Serving Suggestions

• Mediterranean-style gyros
  Slice the pork thin and serve in warm tortillas or pitas with tzatziki, feta, olives, and fresh vegetables.

• Mediterranean dinner ideas
  Serve with lemon rice or roasted potatoes and a Greek salad.

• Mediterranean bowls
  Add sliced pork to rice or quinoa bowls with vegetables and feta.

• Build-your-own spread
  Serve with gyro toppings and falafel so everyone can customize their meal.

This Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin is one of those recipes that feels special without being complicated. With its bright lime marinade, garlic, and oregano, it delivers bold flavor whether you grill it or roast it in the oven. Serve it simply for a weeknight dinner or lay out all the fixings for a build-your-own gyro night—either way, it’s a reliable, flavorful dish that always brings everyone to the table.

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5 from 11 votes

Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin

Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin is marinated in lime juice, garlic, olive oil, and oregano, then grilled or oven roasted until juicy and tender. Serve it with rice, warm pita, fresh vegetables, and tzatziki for an easy Mediterranean-inspired dinner that’s perfect for both busy weeknights and casual entertaining.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Greek

Prep Time 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6 people

Calories 414

Author Sally Humeniuk

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ¾ cup fresh lime juice About 7 limes
• ⅔ cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic smashed and sliced
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 3 Tbsp dried oregano
• 2 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)

Instructions

• Place lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and oregano in a large resealable plastic bag. Massage ingredients together a bit to mix.
  ¾ cup fresh lime juice, ⅔ cup olive oil, 6 cloves garlic, 2 tsp sea salt, 3 Tbsp dried oregano
• Place tenderloins in the bag, seal, and turn to coat. Marinate in this mixture in the fridge at least 2 hours (my standard) and up to 5 hours. Not recommended for longer than this as the acid from the limes will start to break down the pork.
  2 pork tenderloins

Grilling instructions-

• Preheat a gas grill to medium heat or heat roughly 75 charcoal briquets, leaving some room on ⅓ of the grill for indirect heat. Wait until briquets are white on the outside and glowing inside (about 30 minutes, depending on your grill).
• If cooking in the oven, preheat to 400℉ degrees, placing rack at the center position.
• Once ready to grill the tenderloins, discard the marinade. Place tenderloins on the grill for 20 to 30 minutes, with lid closed. Check on the tenderloins every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure it doesn't burn (for charcoal grilling especially). Move tenderloins for indirect heat if browning too quickly.
• Remove the tenderloins once the internal temp reads 140℉-145℉ and tent under aluminum foil for about 3 minutes. Slice as desired and serve immediately.

Oven roasted instructions-

• Preheat oven to 400℉ degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a large cooling rack on the baking sheet over the foil. While oven is preheating, you may sear the meat in a large pan with oil on the stove. This isn't necessary but recommended for extra flavor. Place the tenderloins in the preheated oven on the rack/baking sheet and on center rack and bake until internal temperature registers 145F-150℉ degrees, about 25 minutes (I start checking it around 20 minutes). Remove from oven and tent foil over tenderloins to rest for about 3 minutes. Slice with a sharp knife and serve immediately.

If making to serve as a Gyro meal:

• Ingredients for a great Grecian Gyro-type meal-

  -Small flour tortillas, heated or charred

  -Kalamata olives, halved

  -Feta cheese, crumbled

  -Chopped or sliced vegetables like onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers

  -Tzatziki sauce, or other sour cream or Greek yogurt-based condiment (optional)

  -Lemon rice for serving on the side or in the Gyros

  -Thin-sliced fresh mint leaves

  -Lime wedges

  -If you have vegan or vegetarian guests, make some falafel for them and then they can eat right along with the meat eaters and enjoy all the fixings.

Equipment

Citrus juicer or press

Gallon refrigerator ziploc bag for marinating tenderloins

Gas or charcoal grill, or can be cooked in the oven

Notes

Don’t over-marinate
The lime juice adds great flavor but can start breaking down the pork if left too long. Stick to 2–5 hours.

Use a thermometer
Pork tenderloin cooks quickly. Remove it from heat at 145°F for the juiciest results.

Slice against the grain
Thin slices against the grain keep the pork especially tender.

Great for meal prep
Leftovers are excellent in wraps, salads, rice bowls, or pitas.

Try it with chicken
This marinade also works well with chicken breasts or thighs. Substitute lemons for the limes if using chicken.

Nutrition Facts

Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin

Amount Per Serving

Calories 414 Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 109mg36%

Sodium 866mg38%

Potassium 749mg21%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 36g72%

Vitamin A 60IU1%

Vitamin C 10mg12%

Calcium 58mg6%

Iron 2.8mg16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.