The Recipe Critic

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

February 25, 2022

This juicy Instant Pot pork tenderloin is the perfect choice for dinner! It cooks up in 15 minutes and is full of so much flavor!

Tenderloin is such an underrated cut of pork! Try out my roasted cranberry, spinach bacon, and honey Dijon pork tenderloin recipes next. You’ll love them!

Sliced tenderloin on a white plate served with asparagus.

Pork Tenderloin in Instant Pot Recipe

I love using pork tenderloin for dinner because it’s inexpensive and nice and lean! Plus, if you cook it properly, it’s juicy and fork-tender. You really can’t go wrong! It’s a super easy pork cut to cook, and cooking it in your Instant Pot simplifies the process even more. If you’ve got pork tenderloin, chicken stock, and a few simple spices, you can make this tasty dinner. Honestly, with how juicy and hearty it is, it makes normal weekdays seem like a holiday!

This amazing Instant Pot pork tenderloin is seasoned with the best combination of garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, and fresh herbs. It’s a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, with the best hint of spice! I love this recipe because it is one of the few meat dishes I can get my youngest to eat (aside from chicken nuggets). And as for the rest of my family, it’s one of our favorites! So tender and flavorful! Whip this up with some 5-minute steamed asparagus and you’ve got a winning dinner on your hands!

What Do I Need to Make it?

Not only is this tenderloin a breeze to make, but you only need a few basic ingredients to season it! Time to pull out your spice rack and make this tasty, tender meal your whole family will love! Measurements for each ingredient can be found below in the printable recipe card.

  • Pork Tenderloin: You’ll need about 2 pounds of pork tenderloin with the silver skin removed. See tips below on what this is and why it’s important to remove it!
  • Olive Oil: Helps all of the seasonings to stick.
  • Minced Garlic: Minced garlic is the base flavoring for your Instant Pot pork tenderloin. It gives it a great savory flavor!
  • Brown Sugar: Next, we have brown sugar! I like adding this in for a hint of smoky sweetness.
  • Chili Powder: Adding a bit of chili powder is great because it gives your pork a warm heat without being too spicy. Of course, if you’re wanting more spice, add more to taste!
  • Cumin: Cumin is warm and nutty, perfect for seasoning meat!
  • Onion Powder: For a punch of sharp flavor!
  • Dried Thyme: You can’t go wrong adding fresh herbs to your pork. The aromatics make all the difference!
  • Kosher Salt: I like using kosher salt over regular table salt because it has a chunkier grain.
  • Low-Sodium Chicken Stock: Chicken stock adds moisture and helps to flavor your tenderloin while it cooks. I like to use low-sodium chicken stock as a healthier option.

Picking the Perfect Pork Tenderloin

I recommend choosing a pork tenderloin with consistent marbling all throughout the cut. These streaks of fat ensure that your meat will be nice and tender when cooked.

Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the pork tenderloin you choose. Always make sure that the internal temperature of your tenderloin has reached 145 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.

How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in Instant Pot

A hearty, home-cooked dinner in 30 minutes- what could be better?! Your Instant Pot transforms an ordinary tenderloin into a juicy masterpiece in a snap. It’s the kind of easy recipe to come back to over and over again!

  1. Pat Dry: To prepare the pork tenderloin, pat the meat dry using paper towels.
  2. Prepare Rub: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, thyme, and salt.
  3. Season Tenderloin: Generously rub the meat with the seasonings on both sides. Allow the tenderloin to sit on the counter for 15 minutes to marinate and come to room temperature before cooking.
  4. Sear: Turn Instant Pot on, and select the Sauté setting. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add the tenderloin and sear until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove: Next, remove the tenderloin from the instant pot and set aside.
  6. Add Chicken Stock: Select the off setting on the instant pot. Add the chicken broth. Using a wooden spoon, stir and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  7. Replace Tenderloin: Add the trivet to the pot, and place the browned tenderloin on top.
  8. Cook: Place the lid on the pot, and make sure it is on seal. Select high pressure for 1 minute. Yes, 1 minute! It will take 8-10 minutes to come up to pressure, 1 minute to cook, and about 5 minutes to release the pressure.
  9. Check Temperature: You can check the temperature of the meat using a probe. Pork should be at least 145ºF. If needed, you can seal the lid back on the instant pot and continue to cook in the residual heat for a couple of minutes.
  10. Rest: Allow the meat to sit for 5 minutes before slicing!
Process shots of preparing rub and cooking pork tenderloin in an Instant Pot.

Tenderloin Tips and Tricks

Once you try this Instant Pot pork tenderloin, I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do! Tenderloin has quickly become one of my favorite cuts of pork. I always use these easy tips to ensure it tastes amazing every time.

  • Remove Silver Skin: Most store-bought pork tenderloin comes with silver skin removed, but if you notice yours is covered with a whitish-gray film, that means it still has this connective tissue attached. I remove it by running a small knife underneath it. Don’t skip this step! When cooked, silver skin can make the outside of your tenderloin tough.
  • Be Careful Not to Overcook: Because pork tenderloin is so lean, it can be overcooked pretty easily. Always use a thermometer to check if yours has reached an internal temperature 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking beyond that can make your tenderloin dry.
  • Let Rest: Those 5 minutes at the end of the recipe are super important! Giving your tenderloin time to rest allows liquids to reabsorb, meaning you’ll have a juicier, more tender cut of meat!

What to Serve With Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Veggies are a classic side to serve with pork tenderloin. Whether you want them steamed, grilled, or in a casserole, I’ve got you covered! Here are a few of my favorite vegetable side dishes to complement this flavorful meal.

2 cuts of pork tenderloin on a trivet in an Instant Pot.

Storing Leftovers

You can store your tenderloin for a few days after cooking. Heat it up in your Instant Pot and it tastes as good as new!

  • In the Refrigerator: Either in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap, your Instant Pot pork tenderloin will keep for up to 4 days.
  • Reheating: You can reheat your pork tenderloin in an Instant Pot! Add ¼ cup of water or chicken stock and place leftover tenderloin on trivet. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until internal temperatures reach 145 degrees.
Closeup of taking a slice of tenderloin with a fork.

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

Here are more super easy recipes your family will go crazy over! Instant Pots are such a useful tool in the kitchen and can make such a wide variety of dishes! I’ve picked a few of my favorites for you to try. Enjoy!

Print

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Course Dinner
Keyword instant pot
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 255kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs pork tenderloin
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock

Instructions

  • To prepare the pork tenderloin, pat the meat dry using paper towels.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, thyme, and salt. Don't be alarmed, the mixture will look thick, but it makes the best rub!
  • Generously rub the meat with the seasonings on both sides. Allow the tenderloin to sit on the counter for 15 minutes to marinate and come to room temperature before cooking.
  • Turn Instant Pot on, and select the Sauté setting. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the bottom of the instant pot to help with searing. Add the tenderloin and sear until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Remove the tenderloin from the instant pot and set aside.
  • Select the off setting on the instant pot. Add the chicken broth. Using a wooden spoon, stir and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  • Add the trivet to the pot, and place the browned tenderloin on top of the trivet.
  • Place the lid on the pot, and make sure it is on seal.
  • Select high pressure for 1 minute. Yes, 1 minute! It will take 8-10 minutes to come up to pressure, 1 minute to cook, and about 5 minutes to release the pressure.
  • You can check the temperature of the meat using a probe. Pork should be at least 145ºF. If needed, you can seal the lid back on the instant pot and continue to cook in the residual heat for a couple of minutes.
  • Allow the meat to sit for 5 minutes before slicing!

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 492mg | Potassium: 676mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

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