If you've been searching for the easiest way to get pork tenderloin perfectly cooked and tender, we're about to let you in on our top trick: the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot has saved us many times with its ease and magic—need we mention our Instant Pot roast and potatoes, or Instant Pot wings? But, the gadget truly shines in this flavorful, easy pork tenderloin recipe. With just 10 minutes of hands-on time, this ultra-tender pork tenderloin comes together in under 30 minutes. Plus, it only requires 7 ingredients, making it one of the easiest weeknight dinners to add to your rotation.
How long do I cook pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot?
First things first, make sure you're using a pork tenderloin, not a pork loin or pork roast. These all have drastically different cook times, and won't give you the same result in this recipe.
After searing our pork tenderloin until golden (around 6 minutes), we cooked it in the Instant Pot on high for around 5 minutes, before letting the pressure release, then resting the meat for 5 minutes before slicing. This resulted in a perfectly cooked pork tenderloin for us, but depending on the size of your protein, you could need longer in the Instant Pot! Keep an eye on it, and add a minute or more to the cook time if your tenderloin is still not cooked to your desired amount after 5 minutes.
How should I season it?
We keep the seasoning simple here: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder. If you want another flavor profile, the world is your oyster: oregano and Italian seasoning, ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, or even just salt and pepper will do. The tender pork would also pair well with this spicy Asian chicken wing marinade—just give it a drizzle of the syrupy marinade right before serving, and get ready to lick your plate clean.
What should I serve with Instant Pot pork tenderloin?
Searching for the perfect side? Mix and match some of or current faves: roasted baby carrots, mashed potatoes, cheesy grits, herbed cannellini beans, BBQ glazed kale, or herb roasted potatoes.
How should I store it?
Store your pork tenderloin in an airtight container in the fridge, where it'll keep for around 3-5 days. Looking for leftover ideas? Turn this pork tenderloin into the most epic sandwich, or dice it up to add to our favorite pork fried rice.
Tried making this? Let us know how it came out in the comments below!
