One good thing to add to your diet is pork tenderloin, which is a lean form of red meat that is high in protein. Heres what you need to know about pork tenderloins calorie and nutrition quotient. Careful though, pork tenderloin is not the same as pork loin.
Pork tenderloin is a lean and versatile cut of meat that is commonly called for in recipes When a recipe lists pork tenderloin quantities in 4 ounce servings, being able to visualize what that portion size looks like can be helpful for meal planning and cooking. This guide will provide useful comparisons to give you a clear mental image of the size of a raw and cooked 4 ounce serving of pork tenderloin
Why Understanding Portion Size Matters
There are several reasons why familiarizing yourself with standard pork tenderloin portion sizes is beneficial
- Accurately follow recipes – Know how much tenderloin to purchase and prepare
- Proper cooking – Different sizes affect cook times and temperatures
- Control portions – Prevent over or under eating
- Nutrition tracking – Calculate calories and macros precisely
- Meal planning – Buy proper quantities for meals and avoid waste
- Weight management – Manage protein intake as part of an overall diet
So developing a mind’s eye visual for portion sizes like 4 ounces makes working with pork tenderloin much simpler.
What 4 Ounces of Raw Pork Tenderloin Looks Like
When preparing raw pork tenderloin, these comparisons can help give a sense of what a 4 ounce piece looks like:
- Deck of cards – A 4 ounce raw cut is about the thickness of a deck of cards
- Hockey puck – Similar in diameter to a hockey puck
- Computer mouse – Approximately the width of a computer mouse
- Meat thermometer – A 4 ounce portion measures about 4 ounces on a food thermometer
Use these as visual references when slicing pork tenderloin for recipes calling for 4 ounce servings.
Comparisons for 4 Ounces of Cooked Pork Tenderloin
Once cooked, pork tenderloin shrinks slightly due to moisture loss. Here are some common items that can help visualize a 4 ounce cooked portion:
- Bar of soap – Roughly the same size as an average bar of soap
- Lightbulb – Very similar in dimensions to a standard household lightbulb
- Shot glass – Equivalent to around 2.5 shot glasses stacked
- Computer mouse – Still close to the width of a computer mouse when cooked
So after cooking tenderloin, use these familiar objects to estimate 4 ounce portions.
Tips for Measuring 4 Ounce Servings
While visual comparisons help gauge portion sizes, the most precise way to measure 4 ounces of pork tenderloin is by using a food scale:
- Weigh raw – For accuracy, always weigh meat prior to cooking
- Use a food scale – Scales designed for food allow weighing in ounces or grams
- Portion whole tenderloin – Weigh entire tenderloin, then divide into 4 ounce servings
- Note cooked weight – The weight decreases after cooking due to moisture loss
- Consider thickness – Thicker cuts may need longer cook times
Getting in the routine of weighing 4 ounce pork portions eliminates guessing and provides control over servings.
Cooking Time Differences for 4 Ounces
When cooking 4 ounce cuts of pork tenderloin, keep these approximate cook times in mind:
- Roasted in oven – 18-22 minutes per 4 ounces at 400°F
- Pan seared – Around 4-5 minutes per side in a skillet
- Grilled – 10-12 minutes total, flipping once halfway through
- Air fried – About 15 minutes at 380°F, flipping halfway through
- Slow cooker – 3-4 hours on low when added to liquid
The smaller size requires less time compared to cooking a whole tenderloin.
Serving Tips for 4 Ounce Portions
- For a main meal, serve 4-5 ounces per adult with vegetables and starch
- Cut any leftovers into 4 ounce portions before refrigerating
- Freeze 4 ounce servings individually for easy reheating later
- Season and sauce 4 ounce portions for a variety of flavors
- Pair with simple veggie sides like roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts or green beans
With practice, envisioning a 4 ounce portion of pork tenderloin will become second nature. Properly portioning provides control over servings for recipes, meal prep and nutrition goals.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pork_annotated-da6f91ad0ad041cc98f004f01b389dc5.jpg)
Pork Loin vs. Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is not to be confused with pork loin. While both cuts are from the loin section that runs along the pigs back, from the shoulder to the top of the legs, the National Pork Board explains that they are different cuts of meat. Pork loin is usually sold as a wide, rectangular slab of meat that can be cut into steaks. It weighs between 2 to 4 pounds and is sold either bone-in or deboned.
Video of the Day
Pork tenderloin on the other hand, is a smaller, longer cut that usually weighs around 1 pound. The University of Tennessee Extension notes that this cut of meat tapers off on one end. The wider end is about 2 inches thick.
When you’re at the grocery store, it’s helpful to know the difference between these two types of meat. The amounts of ingredients, cooking times, and temperatures for these two cuts are very different because they are so different in size. If you buy the wrong one and try to cook it, your meal will probably turn out badly.
Read more: Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes and Bok Choy
A Serving Size of Meat versus What You Get at a Steakhouse
FAQ
What does 3 oz of pork tenderloin look like?
What does 4 ounces of pork look like?
How much is 4 oz pork tenderloin cooked?
How big is 4 ounces of meat?