If you’re looking for a dinner that’s quick, flavorful, and feels a bit fancy, then you’ve got to try this Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic Sauce. The pork is incredibly tender and juicy, thanks to the Instant Pot magic, and the sauce is a beautiful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen—but in reality, it comes together in just a fraction of the time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Pork tenderloin is one of those cuts of meat that’s naturally tender and lean, but when you cook it in the Instant Pot, it becomes melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The honey balsamic sauce takes this dish over the top, adding a touch of sweetness with a bit of tang, while the garlic and herbs give it a savory depth. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just need an easy weeknight meal, this recipe has you covered!
Ingredients
(Here’s a quick preview of what you’ll need—full ingredient list below!)
- Pork tenderloin
- Olive oil (for searing)
- Honey
- Balsamic vinegar
- Chicken broth
- Garlic and rosemary
- Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper
Directions
Step 1: Sear the Pork Tenderloin
Start by seasoning the pork tenderloin with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and add a little olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pork tenderloin and sear it on all sides for about 2-3 minutes per side until it gets a nice golden-brown crust. This step locks in all the flavor, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
Once the pork is seared, remove it from the Instant Pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add minced garlic and sauté it for about 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. Then, pour in the balsamic vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This adds even more flavor to your sauce! Stir in the honey, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth. Let the mixture come to a simmer, allowing it to reduce slightly.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Pork
Return the seared pork tenderloin to the Instant Pot, nestling it in the sauce. Sprinkle fresh rosemary over the top. Close the lid, set the valve to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 3-4 minutes (depending on the size of your pork tenderloin). After the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
Step 4: Make the Sauce (Optional)
Once the pork is done, remove it from the Instant Pot and set it aside to rest for a few minutes. If you want to thicken the sauce, turn the Instant Pot back to “Sauté” mode and let the sauce simmer for a few more minutes until it reduces to your desired thickness. You can also whisk in a bit of cornstarch mixed with water to help thicken it faster.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
After letting the pork rest, slice it against the grain into medallions. Drizzle the honey balsamic sauce over the top and serve! These tender pork slices are perfect with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a simple salad.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Searing the Pork: Searing the pork tenderloin before pressure cooking really helps to lock in all the flavor. Don’t rush this step—it’s well worth the extra few minutes!
- Thickness of the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can always make a cornstarch slurry (mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water) and stir it into the sauce while simmering.
- Pork Tenderloin Size: Pork tenderloin varies in size, so adjust the cooking time accordingly. For a smaller tenderloin, you can reduce the cooking time to 2-3 minutes. For a larger one, cook for 4-5 minutes.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Different Sweeteners: If you don’t have honey, you can swap it out for maple syrup or brown sugar for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Add a Little Heat: For a touch of spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Different Herbs: If you’re not a fan of rosemary, thyme or sage would also work well with this dish. Experiment with whatever herbs you enjoy most!
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Instant Pot pork tenderloin pairs beautifully with so many sides. Try serving it with mashed potatoes or roasted garlic potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce. Steamed green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a fresh spinach salad would add some nice color and balance to the meal. For a lighter option, a side of quinoa or couscous is great too!
If you’re serving it with something rich like mashed potatoes, a light white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio would be a perfect match. For a more casual dinner, a chilled glass of sparkling water with a splash of lemon is refreshing.
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you have leftovers (which is rare, but it happens!), store the sliced pork and sauce separately in an airtight container. The pork will last for 2-3 days in the fridge, and the sauce can be stored for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm the pork gently in the microwave or in a skillet with a bit of the sauce. The pork should stay tender, but be careful not to overheat it.
4 FAQs
- Can I use a different cut of pork?
Yes, you can use pork loin or even pork chops in this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly—pork loin may need a little more time, and pork chops will cook faster. - Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure your Instant Pot is big enough to hold everything. You may need to increase the cooking time slightly if you’re making more pork, but be careful not to overcook it. - What can I serve this with besides mashed potatoes?
This dish goes wonderfully with roasted vegetables, a simple salad, or rice. If you want something a little more filling, try serving it with creamy polenta or risotto. - Can I make this without the honey?
If you prefer a more savory flavor, you can omit the honey and substitute with a little balsamic glaze or even a touch of apple cider vinegar for extra tang.
Conclusion
This Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic Sauce is the kind of meal that feels both elegant and comforting. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight or even a special occasion dinner. The pork is so tender and flavorful, and the honey balsamic sauce gives it the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Best of all, the Instant Pot makes it easy and quick—what’s not to love? Enjoy!
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Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (Pressure Cooking) + 10 minutes (Sauté/Resting)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking (Instant Pot)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic Sauce is a quick, flavorful dinner with melt-in-your-mouth pork and a perfectly balanced sauce of sweetness and tang. The pork is tender, juicy, and complemented by a honey balsamic sauce that’s savory, tangy, and a little sweet. Ready in just a fraction of the time it would take traditionally, this is the perfect dish for both busy weeknights and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1–1.5 lbs pork tenderloin
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1–2 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
Instructions
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Sear the Pork Tenderloin: Season the pork tenderloin with salt and pepper. Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and add olive oil. Once hot, add the pork and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden-brown. Remove pork and set aside.
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Prepare the Sauce: In the same pot, sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds. Pour in balsamic vinegar, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in honey, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
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Pressure Cook: Return the pork tenderloin to the Instant Pot and add rosemary on top. Seal the lid, set valve to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 3-4 minutes. After cooking, allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then perform a quick release.
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Make the Sauce (Optional): Remove pork, set aside to rest. If desired, turn the Instant Pot back to “Sauté” and simmer the sauce to thicken.
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Slice and Serve: Slice the pork against the grain into medallions. Drizzle with sauce and serve with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Searing the pork is crucial for enhancing flavor, so don’t skip this step!
- If you want a thicker sauce, whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce while simmering.
- Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the pork tenderloin; smaller cuts require less time (2-3 minutes), while larger ones may need 4-5 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 95mg