Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
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This Instant Pot pork tenderloin is such an easy dinner for a busy night. Learn how to cook pork tenderloin in a pressure cooker, and you’ll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes!
Some nights, I really need a quick recipe for dinner. It has to be ready in 30 minutes, and it has to be impossible to mess up. I don’t always have time for experimentation.
This Instant Pot pork tenderloin is the perfect recipe for nights like those. It’s simple and flavorful, and it goes well with lots of different sides. I like to make a batch of air fryer potatoes while the pork is cooking in the Instant Pot, and I serve it with a side of broccoli, green beans, or a simple salad.
How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in a Pressure Cooker
To cook pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot, start by browning the meat using the Saute setting. Once the meat is browned, you’ll need to add liquid to the pot so you can pressure cook the pork. I like to use pineapple juice, but you can also use water or apple cider for a different flavor.
Pressure cook the pork tenderloin at high pressure for 2 minutes, then let it sit in the pot for an additional 10 minutes. It will naturally release the pressure before 10 minutes, but it will keep cooking while it stays in the warm pot.
After the 10 minute release time, test the pork with a meat thermometer. It’s safe to eat once it reaches 145 degrees, but I like it best when the temperature is between 150 and 160 degrees.
To make the sauce, remove the pork to a cutting board, and set the pot to Saute. Add the seasonings and arrowroot starch to quickly thicken and flavor the sauce. Serve the warm sauce over the sliced pork.
Instant Pot Pork Tips
Make sure you don’t mistake pork loin for pork tenderloin. They’re two very different cuts of meat, and the cook times aren’t the same. This recipe calls for the smaller tenderloin cut.
- Uniform Thickness: In order to cook the pork to the proper temperature, I usually cut off a couple inches at the end of the tenderloin where it’s much thinner. This helps the pork to cook uniformly, and it allows it to fit comfortably in my 6 quart Instant Pot. I freeze the small end pieces to cook another time.
- Cook Time: The cook time will vary according to the thickness of your tenderloin. For a 1½ inch thick cut, I sear the meat for 3 minutes on each side. Then I cook it at high pressure for 2 minutes, followed by a 10 minute natural release time. If your meat is thicker, increase the cook time to 3 or 4 minutes. If it’s smaller (1 inch to 1¼ inches), you may want to decrease the cook time to 1 minute.
- Sear Time: If you end up searing your meat for longer than 3 minutes per side, you’ll want to decrease the cook time since it will be more cooked through from the extra searing.
- Internal Temperature: For the juiciest, most flavorful pork tenderloin, I like the internal temperature to be between 150 and 160 degrees. If it gets above 165 degrees, the pork will be a bit dry. You can always salvage it with extra sauce, though!
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork tenderloin 1½ inches thick
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbs avocado oil
- 20 oz can pineapple slices packed in 100% juice
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ginger powder
- 1 tbs tamari sauce or soy sauce
- 1 tbs honey
- 1 tbs arrowroot starch
Instructions
- Trim the ends of the pork tenderloin if needed to achieve uniform thickness. Season the tenderloin with salt and pepper.
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute and add the avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pork and sear it for 3 minutes on each side. Cancel the Saute setting.
- Pour the pineapple juice from the can into a measuring cup. Add enough water to reach a total of one cup of liquid (it will be about 3/4 cup pineapple juice and 1/4 cup water). Add this cup of liquid to the pot.
- Cover the pot and turn the knob to Sealing. Cook on manual high pressure for 2 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally, and leave the pork in the pot for 10 minutes. The pin will likely drop before 10 minutes, indicating that the pressure has been released. Just leave the pork in the pot for 10 minutes either way. Then open the pot and use a meat thermometer to make sure the meat has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees or higher. (It will be dry if it’s above 165 degrees.) If it’s below 145 degrees, set the pot to Saute and let it keep cooking, uncovered. Check every minute to see if it has reached 145 degrees yet. Once it’s done cooking, remove the pork to a cutting board and tent it with foil to keep warm.
- To make the sauce, set the pot to Saute, and add garlic powder, ginger, tamari sauce, and honey to the liquid in the pot. Whisk the mixture and bring it to a simmer. In a small bowl, stir together the tablespoon of arrowroot starch with a tablespoon of water. Slowly add this to the pot, and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to thicken the sauce. Serve sauce over pork, and serve with pineapple slices.
Notes
Nutrition
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Price Breakdown
This recipe costs $10.77 to make, or $1.80 per serving. Try this easy pork tenderloin pressure cooker recipe for a quick dinner on a busy night.
Do cook the pork on the trivet or down in the liquid?
Chad
You cook it right in the pot without the trivet. You can watch the video in the post to visualize how it works.