Pork
Powerproteinplates
Low-Fat Lemon Herb Pork Tenderloin with Steamed Green Beans
By Powerproteinplates Editorial TeamPublished Apr 19, 2026 | Updated Jul 22, 2026
American
35 mins
high-proteinlow-fatweight-losseasy-recipesfitness-friendlygluten-freebalancedwhole-foodspost-workoutathlete-fuelkid-friendly
Savor this nutritious, low-fat lemon herb pork tenderloin paired with steamed green beans. This high-protein, gluten-free recipe supports weight loss, muscle recovery, and balanced nutrition — perfect as a quick, wholesome meal for fitness enthusiasts and families alike.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
easy
Cuisine
American
Ingredients
Servings
4
- 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (for steaming beans)
- Water for steaming
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
-
In a bowl, mix lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
-
Pat pork tenderloin dry and evenly rub marinade over all sides.
-
Place pork in roasting pan or oven-safe skillet.
-
Roast pork for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Remove and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
-
While roasting, prepare a steamer or steaming basket over about 1 inch of boiling water.
-
Add salt to steaming basket, then place green beans inside.
-
Cover and steam green beans 4-6 minutes until tender-crisp.
-
Drain green beans and season with salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
-
Slice rested pork into medallions and serve with steamed green beans.
-
Serve immediately for a fresh, healthy, balanced meal.
Tips
Protein Highlight
pork gives this pork recipe its main protein focus, while supporting ingredients add texture, fiber, or slow-burning carbohydrates. Keep the protein portion clear on the plate instead of letting sauces, toppings, or starches become the bulk of the meal.
Goal Fit
This recipe fits meal prep, active-week eating, and balanced family meals because it combines familiar ingredients with a fitness-friendly structure. Use it when you want a practical option that can support recovery, satiety, or steady energy without turning the meal into a supplement-style dish.
Protein Density
To keep the protein density strong, measure calorie-dense extras and add more pork or a compatible high-protein side before increasing the starch or sauce. If you scale the recipe, preserve the ratio between the protein base and the vegetables, grains, or toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I meal prep Low-Fat Lemon Herb Pork Tenderloin with Steamed Green Beans?
- Yes. Portion it into airtight containers and keep toppings, sauces, or crunchy finishes separate when that will protect the texture.
- How can I increase the protein?
- Add a little more pork or pair the recipe with a compatible high-protein side such as Greek yogurt, eggs, tofu, beans, or lean meat depending on the recipe style.
- Can I make it lighter?
- Use measured oil, lighter dairy or sauce options, and a larger vegetable portion while keeping the main protein amount steady.
- What should I watch when swapping ingredients?
- Keep moisture, salt, and cooking time in mind because high-protein swaps can dry out or firm up faster than the original ingredient.
Ingredient Replacements
- pork tenderloin, trimmed: Use the closest lean protein or high-protein base that fits the recipe format, and keep the portion similar so the texture and protein balance stay intact.
- fresh lemon juice: Swap with a similar cooked grain, vegetable, dairy item, or pantry ingredient when needed, adjusting liquid or cooking time if the replacement is wetter or drier.
- lemon zest: Use a related spice, herb, sauce, or aromatic if this ingredient is unavailable, then taste before adding extra salt or heat.
- Gluten-free option: Choose certified gluten-free grains, crumbs, sauces, and pantry items when cross-contact matters.
- Dairy-free option: Replace yogurt, cheese, kefir, or milk-based ingredients with unsweetened high-protein dairy-free alternatives when they fit the recipe.
- Calorie adjustment: Keep oils, sweeteners, nuts, cheese, and creamy sauces measured so the recipe stays aligned with a protein-forward plate.
Storage
Cool Low-Fat Lemon Herb Pork Tenderloin with Steamed Green Beans before storing, refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 days, keep crisp toppings or fresh garnishes separate when useful, freeze only if the main ingredients tolerate thawing well, and reheat gently with a splash of liquid or a short oven, skillet, microwave, or air-fryer warm-up that matches the recipe texture.
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