Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
Published 7/28/2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Instant Pot pork tenderloin is a game-changer, offering a moist, flavor-packed meal in under an hour.
It’s not your typical dry, stringy pork tenderloin; instead, it’s tender, juicy, and served with an incredible gravy that sets it apart from all other recipes.
This Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin is one of my family’s favorite dinner recipes. It’s a complete meal thanks to the potatoes and gravy cooked right there with the pork. Plus, I love that it’s a leaner cut of meat, yet doesn’t come out super dry.
PS: The secret to this recipe is the gravy. It’s savory, slightly sweet, and has just the right amount of salt.
Featured Comment
“Amazing recipe, one of my favorites. I did sweet potatoes and also added carrots. Will make again.” -Kern
What is in this Instant Pot pork tenderloin recipe?
This recipe includes a 3 lb. pork tenderloin, a savory pork dry rub made from brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. It’s cooked with olive oil, chicken broth, white onion, garlic, and potatoes. The gravy is made from the cooking juices, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch.
How long to cook pork tenderloin in Instant Pot?
A 3 lb. pork tenderloin will take around 15 minutes in the Instant Pot with a quick release.
Cuts of Pork
Not sure where all the different cuts of pork come from on the pig? We made it easy. Check out more details on everything pork in our favorite pork recipes round up!
FAQ
Your pork is tough because you cooked it for too long.
Cook pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot on high for around 15 minutes.
Yes, you can cook your pork for too long. If it’s a fattier cut of pork, the meat will start to disintegrate and become gritty.
Don’t Forget the Vegetables
We paired this Instant Pot pork tenderloin with potatoes because you just can’t go wrong with potatoes. All you have to do is chop the potatoes and toss them in a little chili powder and garlic powder. We tested both russet potatoes and sweet potatoes and here’s what we found:
- sweet potatoes cook faster and only need about 2 minutes.
- russet potatoes don’t soften as fast and will need to cook for around 4 minutes.
potato timing
Sweet Potatoes
If you use sweet potatoes, cook the pork tenderloin for 17 minutes and then add the sweet potatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Russet Potatoes
If you’re using russet potatoes, cook the pork tenderloin for 15 minutes and then add russet potatoes and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
If you decide to use no potatoes at all, simply cook the pork tenderloin for a full 19 minutes!
The Gravy is OUT OF THIS WORLD
What makes this the best pork tenderloin Instant Pot recipe? THE GRAVY.
After your pork and potatoes are cooked to perfection remove them from your pressure cooker and prepare the gravy! It’s similar to our Slow Cooker Pork Roast gravy and I know you’ll love it.
You guys, this gravy is AMAZING. It’s savory and slightly sweet and has just the right amount of salt. To prepare it, turn the sauté function on the Instant Pot and whisk in the Worcestershire sauce and then continue whisking in the cornstarch.
The heat is from the saute feature is what activates the cornstarch to thicken, so keep un whisking until it bubbles!
Remove gravy from the heat and serve it over the pork and potatoes!
Storage
Store pork tenderloin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
Serving Suggestions
This Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin is perfect served with the gravy and potatoes it cooked with. I’ve eaten it next to a simple side salad such as our garden salad. For dessert, try our chocolate protein ice cream!
Leftover Ideas
Make a pork sandwich. Slice the pork tenderloin up and have it on a sandwich with your favorite cheese, mayo, and other sandwich fixings. Check out our Instant Pot pulled pork for more inspo.
Add it to a salad. Chop the leftover pork tenderloin up into chunks and serve it over greens or lettuce like romaine.
Make it into a stir fry. Heat up a pan and sauté carrots, snow peas, fresh ginger, and onion. Add a teaspoon or 2 of soy sauce to taste and then add chopped-up pork tenderloin. Cook until warm and then serve over rice.
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 3 lb. pork tenderloin, will likely come in a package of 2 1.5-lb. tenderloins
- 1.5 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth, any kind
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 large potatoes, we used 1 russet and 1 sweet*
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- First, place pork tenderloins on a large baking sheet. Your 3 lb. package should come with 2 pork tenderloins and this is perfect!
- Prepare dry rub by combining brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, ground cinnamon, dried thyme, and pepper. Sprinkle dry rub on top of pork tenderloin, making sure all sides are generously covered. Use your hands to rub it in.
- Next, add two tablespoons of olive oil to your Instant Pot and turn on the saute feature. When the olive oil is fragrant, sear pork tenderloins on both sides for around 3 minutes per side, giving the outsides a nice brown color.
- Turn off the saute feature and deglaze the bottom of your Instant Pot by pouring chicken broth on top of pork and using a wooden spoon to remove the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add chopped white onion and garlic cloves to the pot and put the cover on.
- Turn the valve to seal and turn you Instant Pot to manual > high > and turn the timer to 15 minutes if you're using russet potatoes and 17 minutes if you're using sweet potatoes. It will take your Instant Pot 10-15 minutes to build up enough pressure before it starts to count down.
- While your pork is cooking in the Instant Pot, prepare potatoes. Dice 2 large potatoes into 1.5-inch chunks and lightly season with garlic powder and chili powder. Set aside.
- Once the timer goes off, quick-release your Instant Pot by opening the vent to let the steam pour out. Remove the lid from your Instant Pot and add the seasoned potatoes right on top of your pork tenderloins.
- Close the Instant Pot and turn the valve to seal. Set the Instant Pot to manual > high > and turn the timer to 2 minutes for sweet potatoes and 4 minutes for russet potatoes. Or, you can start with 2 minutes and go from there. Again, the Instant Pot will take some time to build pressure, but eventually it will count down from 2 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off a second time, quick release again by opening the vent to let the steam pour out. Open the Instant Pot and test the potatoes. Make sure they are easy to pierce with a fork, and if they are not, put them back in for 1-2 more minutes. Remove potatoes and pork tenderloins from the Instant Pot, leaving the gravy and onions.
- Turn the saute feature back on and then add Worcestershire sauce and cornstarch to the Instant Pot. Whisk for a few minutes or until the cornstarch activates and the gravy thickens.
- Slice pork tenderloin and serve with gravy and potatoes.
Tips & Notes
- Pork rub: option to use 2-3 tablespoons of our homemade pork dry rub if you have it in your cabinet!
- Potatoes: if you are skipping the potato part of this recipe, cook your pork tenderloin on high for 19 minutes with a quick-release. Then follow step 10 to make the gravy.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds, we’d love to see what you’re up to!
Photography: photos taken in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.
It would be nice if you gave the weight of the 2 large potatoes. The 2 large ones I used were not enough for 3 pounds of pork.
Loved the flavor with the seasonings! I would actually add a touch more salt and maybe lower the cook time. It was delicious and I plan to do this recipe again with these modifications 😊
Bought a pork loin on sale and was looking for something to do with it- this was killer! Relatively easy and everyone loved it. Win!
So this is such an Autumn flavor. I made it with sweet potatoes and carrots. My hubby said cranberry sauce on the side would have just been perfect. The sauce was amazing!
Yum! Glad you guys loved this!