Juicy, tender Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin cooks up easily in 30 minutes or less – a wonderful, delicious option for a hearty and fast weeknight meal!
Never pass up au great bargain on a pork tenderloin at the supermarket. Not only are they incredibly versatile, a pork tenderloin cooks up quickly and easily in the Instant Pot. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a delicious meal that your family will think you slaved in the kitchen for hours making!
But don’t confuse a pork tenderloin with a pork loin. They are different! Pork tenderloin is much smaller usually and cooks up quite a bit faster.
A pork tenderloin is a very tender cut of pork that cooks up much quicker than a pork roast might. Simply ensure that the tenderloin is thawed out. Rub it down with your choice of spices (in this case, chipotle powder!) and toss it in the Instant Pot – it cooks up in just minutes!
How long does pork tenderloin take to cook?
First things first – pork tenderloin does not need long to cook in the Instant Pot. Obviously I’m not a fan of eating pork rare… but I also do not like my pork cooked too tough, either. Pink pork is ok, as long as it is not too pink.
To cook pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot, first you’ll want to sear the pork (which partially cooks it). If you are cooking to medium rare (155-160 degrees F) you’ll cook from 1-5 minutes.
- 1 lb pork tenderloin, cook for 1 minute on high pressure, then allow to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- For a 1.5 pork tenderloin, cook for 4-5 minutes on high pressure with a 10 minute natural release.
If the pork is still too pink (it shouldn’t be, but if it is) then cook it a tiny bit longer in the sauce after you have cut it up. For this, use the sauté button on the Instant Pot.
If you like your pot a bit more pink (rare), then release the pressure after 3-5 minutes or so.
At what temperature is pork safe to eat?
Pork is safe to eat at 145 degrees F – which is medium rare.
Can I cook more than one tenderloin in the Instant Pot?
Yes – you definitely can. Keep the cooking time the same. The Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure, so they will cook for longer. I would recommend searing each one separately before cooking, then cooking no more than 2 at a time. I would not recommend cooking 3-4 at a time in one pot
This pork tenderloin cooks up beautifully with a combination of chipotle powder, apples and onions, in just minutes in the Instant Pot.
Serve with your favorite side – whether it be rice, broccoli salad, or your favorite veggie (cheesy garlic Swiss chard perhaps?)
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lb pork tenderloin
- 1 Tbsp chipotle pepper powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- salt to taste
- 2 apples sliced thin
- 2 onions chipped into large segments and separated
- 1/2 C chicken broth vegetable broth, or water
Instructions
- Place 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in the Instant Pot and set to saute.
- Pat dry your pork tenderloin, season with salt, chipotle pepper and cumin.
- When the oil is hot, place the pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot and brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes each before flipping.
- Once the pork tenderloin is browned all over, remove to a plate and set aside.
- Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the Instant Pot.
- Add the onions and one of the sliced apples to the Instant Pot. Cook until onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Carefully place shallow cuts into the pork tenderloin ever 1/4" to 1/2". Insert an apple slice into each cut.
- Once the apple-onion medley is done cooking, turn off the instant pot and place the pork overtop.
- Add 1/2 cup of water or broth.
- Secure the lid and cook on meat setting for 5 minutes.
- Natural release for 10 minutes. Slice and serve.
Did you make this pork tenderloin in your Instant Pot? Make sure you rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!
