I came home on a weekday evening with one bag of groceries and a head full of errands, and the Instant Pot felt like a small miracle that night, I tossed a trimmed pork tenderloin and a few pantry staples into the pot and in under an hour we had a juicy dinner that felt homemade but took almost no hands on time, which is why I keep turning to Pork Tenderloin Recipes Instant Pot when the week gets busy.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe works because it gives you tender, flavorful pork with minimal fuss and very little babysitting, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, anyone who likes a quick roast will appreciate the texture, and it fits easily into a family rotation or a solo meal prep plan.
Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes |
Cook Time: 20 minutes |
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 12 ounces baby potatoes, halved
- 8 ounces green beans, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water for optional thickening
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the pork dry and season all over with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the olive oil, when hot sear the pork on all sides until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
- Pour in chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom.
- Stir in balsamic vinegar, Dijon, and honey, then place the pork back into the pot. Arrange halved baby potatoes around the pork and lay the green beans on top or to the side.
- Lock the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on High for 5 minutes. Let the pot naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the pork and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes, tented lightly with foil. Transfer potatoes and green beans to a serving plate.
- Switch the pot to Sauté, stir in the cornstarch slurry if you want a thicker sauce, cook 1 to 2 minutes until glossy, then spoon sauce over sliced pork and serve garnished with rosemary.
Tips & Tricks
- Trim silver skin from the tenderloin for even cooking and a better bite.
- Sear first for flavor and color, it also helps prevent the burn notice on the Instant Pot.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness 145 F internal temperature, then rest before slicing.
- If the sauce is thin, a small cornstarch slurry thickens it quickly while the pot is on Sauté.
- Slice against the grain for the most tender bites.
Serving Ideas
- Weeknight family dinner with roasted vegetables and a simple salad.
- Meal prep slices layered over grain bowls for work lunches.
- Sunday dinner served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
- Light dinner sliced over mixed greens with warm dressing.
- Party platter thinly sliced for a casual buffet with toothpicks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I pressure cook a 1 pound tenderloin in the Instant Pot
For a 1 pound tenderloin pressure cook on High for 4 minutes and allow a 10 minute natural release then check with a thermometer aiming for 145 F before resting.
Can I cook frozen pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot
Yes you can, increase pressure cook time to 12 minutes with a 10 minute natural release and make sure the internal temperature reaches 145 F after resting.
Will the potatoes be done at the same time as the pork
Baby potatoes usually cook through in the same cycle if halved, if yours are large cut them smaller or cook them separately for even texture.
How do I prevent the burn warning on the Instant Pot
Deglaze the pot well after searing to remove browned bits, use enough liquid and avoid thick sauces at the bottom before pressure cooking.
Pork Tenderloin Recipes Instant Pot
This recipe works because it gives you tender, flavorful pork with minimal fuss and very little babysitting, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, anyone who likes a quick roast will appreciate the texture, and it fits easily into a family rotation or a solo meal prep plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 12 ounces baby potatoes, halved
- 8 ounces green beans, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water for optional thickening
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the pork dry and season all over with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the olive oil, when hot sear the pork on all sides until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
- Pour in chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom.
- Stir in balsamic vinegar, Dijon, and honey, then place the pork back into the pot. Arrange halved baby potatoes around the pork and lay the green beans on top or to the side.
- Lock the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on High for 5 minutes. Let the pot naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the pork and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes, tented lightly with foil. Transfer potatoes and green beans to a serving plate.
- Switch the pot to Sauté, stir in the cornstarch slurry if you want a thicker sauce, cook 1 to 2 minutes until glossy, then spoon sauce over sliced pork and serve garnished with rosemary.
Conclusion
This Instant Pot pork tenderloin method gives you a fast, reliable main that holds up through busy evenings and makes great leftovers, it sears for flavor, pressure cooks for tenderness, and the simple sauce ties the meal together without extra fuss, try the basic version once, then swap in the variations when you want a different flavor profile, and trust that with a quick thermometer check you will get juicy slices every time.
