Marianne Martinez
Pork tenderloin is a versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, one of which is in an Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is a multi-functional pressure cooker that allows you to sear, cook, and sauce your pork tenderloin to perfection. With its ability to lock in moisture, the Instant Pot ensures that your pork stays juicy and tender. The pressure-cooking feature speeds up cooking time while infusing your pork with flavour from cooking liquids such as broth, wine, or apple juice. Whether served with a side of mashed potatoes or a bed of vegetables, the Instant Pot pork tenderloin is a delicious and convenient option for both dinner parties and weeknight dinners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cut of Meat | Tenderloin |
| Cooking Method | Sear → Pressure Cook → Sauce |
| Cooking Time | 6 minutes to sear, 5 minutes to cook at high pressure |
| Resting Time | 1 minute to rest after pressure cooking, 5 minutes before slicing |
| Cooking Temperature | 145°F |
| Seasonings | Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper |
| Cooking Oil | Yes |
| Liquid | Beef stock |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, mashed cauliflower, roasted green beans, roasted carrots, salad |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the pork tenderloin
Once your meat is seasoned to your liking, it is important to sear the pork tenderloin before cooking it further. This step ensures a beautiful colour and adds flavour while sealing in the juices, keeping the meat tender. Use cooking oil to create a nice sear on the pork and cook it in a skillet until both sides are golden brown. You can also deglaze the searing pan with some beef stock and add it to the roasting pan for extra flavour.
After searing, you can finish cooking the pork tenderloin in an oven or an Instant Pot. If using an Instant Pot, you can utilize the pressure cooking function, which shortens active cooking time and produces tender, juicy results. Set the pot to cook at high pressure for around 5 minutes. After cooking, let the pork rest for a few minutes before slicing it.
Remember, the key to juicy pork tenderloin is to avoid overcooking. Aim for an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which will give you pink and juicy slices. Using a meat thermometer can help ensure your pork is perfectly cooked.
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Browning the meat
To brown the meat in an Instant Pot, start by coating the pork tenderloin with a thin layer of oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil. You can also season the meat with a dry rub or spices of your choice. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and wait until it is hot. Place the meat carefully into the pot, making sure there is at least a half-inch between each piece to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause steaming instead of browning.
Cook the meat for a few minutes on each side until it is browned to your desired level. This process should take around 5-7 minutes in total. Be patient and allow the meat to develop a nice crust before attempting to move or flip it. If you are browning a large piece of meat, you may find it easier to use a cast iron pan on the stove to brown the meat, as this will allow you to brown all sides at once.
Once the meat is browned, remove it from the pot and press cancel on the Instant Pot. You can then deglaze the pot by adding a small amount of liquid, such as chicken stock, and using a wooden spoon to scrape up any stuck-on bits from the bottom. This step is important to prevent a "burn notice" during the pressure cooking phase. After deglazing, return the pork tenderloin to the pot and proceed with the pressure cooking instructions.
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Cooking the pork
Firstly, remove the pork from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. You can purchase pre-seasoned meat or marinate it to your taste. A simple seasoning of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper is all you need, along with a bit of oil to brown the meat. If you want to marinate the pork, a mixture of Italian dressing, olive oil, and Italian seasoning works well. Allow the pork to sit for about 30 minutes so that the flavours can soak in.
Next, rinse the pork under water and pat it dry. Trim any visible fat and cut the tenderloin into two equal-length pieces. Coat each piece with oil and apply the rub liberally. Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and when hot, add the meat carefully and brown on all sides. This will take around 5-7 minutes. Remove the meat and press cancel.
Now, add the liquid to the pot. You can use chicken stock, or a combination of chicken stock and white wine for extra flavour. Use a wooden spoon to deglaze the bottom of the pot, making sure to scrape up all the bits that have stuck to the bottom. This is important to prevent a "burn notice" when pressure cooking. You can also add in some Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke for extra flavour. Place the pork tenderloin into the liquid, secure the lid, and set the vent to "sealing".
Finally, pressure cook on high pressure for 3-5 minutes. If your tenderloin weighs less than 1.25 pounds, 1 minute of cooking time is enough. After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. Check the internal temperature of the pork with a meat thermometer—it should be 140°F to 145°F. Allow the pork to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
While the pork is resting, you can make a gravy using the juices from the pot. Scoop out about 3 tablespoons of the juices and mix with corn starch, then slowly pour the mixture back into the pot and stir until thickened.
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Making the sauce
There are a few ways to make a sauce for your pork tenderloin. One way is to use the pan drippings, which will give you a light sauce with rich meat juices and flavours from the seasonings. You can also make a sauce using the pot juices, which will add flavour and keep the meat juicy.
If you want to make a sauce with the pan drippings, start by scraping all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This is where all the flavour is! Then, cook the liquid until it has reduced by half. Finish the sauce by swirling in a tablespoon of butter.
Alternatively, you can make a quick gravy using the pot juices. First, deglaze the pan with some beef stock, adding fantastic flavour and helping to keep the meat juicy. Then, pressure cook the pork, which will produce a natural pressure release that lets the internal temperature even out and juices redistribute, resulting in a tender and juicy dish. Finally, finish the dish with a quick gravy made from the pot juices.
For a simple herb butter sauce, sear the pork tenderloin and then reduce the heat and cover it. Finish the dish by basting it in herb butter.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve pork tenderloin cooked in a pressure cooker. One option is to make a sauce or gravy from the juices that the pork was cooked in. You can add cornstarch to the juices to thicken them into a gravy and simmer until thickened. You can also add other ingredients to the gravy, such as ginger teriyaki sauce, or serve it with spicy chilli rice.
You can serve the pork tenderloin with roasted vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, or carrots. Alternatively, potatoes cooked in a crock pot or oven-baked potatoes would also be a tasty pairing. For a lighter option, serve with an apple walnut salad.
If you want to add more ingredients to the pot, you can cook the pork tenderloin with onions, either serving them on the side, caramelised, or stirred into the gravy. Root vegetables such as carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, or other root vegetables can also be added to the broth and will not change the cooking time.
If you want to add more flavour to the pork itself, you can season it with salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder, or use pre-seasoned meat. You can also marinate the pork tenderloin in your desired seasonings for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
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