Transform your weeknight dinners with this incredibly easy Instant Pot pork tenderloin recipe. Whether you prefer a simple seasoning of salt and pepper or a decadent, thick French onion gravy, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit. Get your Smithfield Pork Tenderloin ready, and let’s create a meal that’s both effortless and delicious.

Are you looking for the ultimate guide on how to cook pork tenderloin in your Instant Pot? You’ve come to the right place! Mastering the timing is key to achieving perfectly tender and juicy results every time. This versatile recipe allows you to prepare it with just a few basic herbs and seasonings for a light meal, or elevate it with an irresistible, rich gravy that will become a family favorite. We encourage you to try our easy Instant Pot pork tenderloin recipe this week and share your experience with us!

For more culinary inspiration, explore over 100 Instant Pot recipes available on our site, ranging from quick weeknight meals to impressive dishes for special occasions. (Affiliate links may be present throughout this article to help you find the best kitchen tools and ingredients).

The Ultimate Guide to Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Why Pressure Cooker Pork Tenderloin is a Game Changer

If you’re like many home cooks today, your electric pressure cooker has become an indispensable kitchen appliance. It’s a true game-changer, making it possible to prepare complete, flavorful meals in under 30 minutes – often with results superior to traditional oven cooking. Pressure cooking has revolutionized how many approach meat preparation, especially when it comes to pork. It ensures unparalleled moisture and tenderness, qualities often hard to achieve with conventional methods.

Pork tenderloin, in particular, benefits immensely from pressure cooking. The high-pressure environment locks in juices, preventing the meat from drying out, while still allowing for a beautiful sear on the outside if desired. Gone are the days of guessing if the center is cooked through or battling with overcooked, tough pork. With an Instant Pot (or a Crockpot Express, Mealthy, or Ninja Foodi), you can confidently cook pork tenderloin to perfection.

Selecting the Perfect Pork Tenderloin

The first step to a magnificent meal begins with selecting quality meat. When purchasing pork tenderloin from your grocery store or local butcher, opt for a piece that is not pre-marinated. This gives you complete control over the flavor profile, allowing you to season it exactly to your liking, whether with a simple salt and pepper rub or the rich French onion blend we’ll be using.

Pork Loin vs. Pork Tenderloin: Understanding the Distinction

It’s common for these two cuts to be confused, but they are quite distinct. Both are excellent choices for various dishes, but understanding their differences is key to successful cooking.

• Pork Loin: This cut is typically wide and thick, often sold as a roast. It’s excellent for slower cooking methods where you want to slice a larger piece of meat.
• Pork Tenderloin: In contrast, pork tenderloin is long, narrow, and thinner. It’s known for being exceptionally lean and incredibly tender, making it ideal for quick cooking methods like pressure cooking or even a Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin.

Both cuts originate from different areas of the loin muscle, which runs along the back of the pig from the shoulder to the rear. Regardless of your choice, both offer delicious possibilities for your next meal.

Essential Cooking Tips for Tender Instant Pot Pork

To achieve the best results with your Instant Pot pork tenderloin, follow these crucial cooking tips:

1. The Sauté Function is Your Friend: While technically optional, using the sauté function to sear the pork tenderloin before pressure cooking is highly recommended. This crucial step creates a beautiful brown crust, enhancing the flavor and texture through the Maillard reaction. Skipping this can result in a slightly paler appearance and a less complex taste profile.
2. Never Forget to Deglaze: After sautéing your meat, it’s absolutely vital to deglaze your Instant Pot. This involves adding a small amount of liquid (like broth) and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spatula. Failing to do so can lead to the dreaded “Burn” notice, as these stuck-on food particles can prevent your pressure cooker from coming to pressure correctly.
3. Optimal Cook Time and Natural Release: For pork tenderloin, a very short cook time under high pressure combined with a longer natural release is the secret to ultimate tenderness. Similar to pressure cooker pork chops, this method ensures the meat remains juicy and succulent. For pork tenderloin, we’re looking at just a few minutes of high-pressure cooking, followed by a 15-minute natural release. For tougher cuts like beef, the cook time is significantly longer to break down connective tissues, usually with a 10-minute natural release.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create an exceptionally flavorful meal. This recipe focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring each component contributes significantly to the final taste. A wonderful bonus is the savory gravy that forms at the bottom of the pot, perfect for spooning over each succulent slice of pork. Alternatively, if you choose to shred the pork, you can toss it directly with this amazing sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Gathering your ingredients is straightforward for this delightful dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Pork Tenderloin: One piece, typically 1 to 2 lbs. (approximately 450-900g), is ideal for most families.
• French Onion Soup Mix: This is a crucial ingredient if you’re aiming for that rich, savory gravy. The soup mix infuses the pork with incredible depth of flavor.
  • The gravy created with this mix is truly exceptional and complements the pork perfectly.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning the pork and adjusting the gravy.
• Olive Oil or Butter: Essential for sautéing and browning the meat, creating that desirable crust.
• Onion: Optional, but highly recommended for an additional layer of flavor, especially when making the French onion gravy. Sliced onions add sweetness and texture.
• Broth: Beef broth is typically the best choice for this recipe, offering a robust base for the gravy, though vegetable or chicken broth can also work.
• Minced Garlic: For an aromatic kick that elevates the overall flavor profile of the pork and gravy.
• Cornstarch (Optional): A few tablespoons to thicken the gravy to your desired consistency at the end.

Equipment Needed

Before you begin, ensure you have the following kitchen essentials on hand:

• Electric Pressure Cooker: Your Instant Pot, Crockpot Express, Mealthy, or Ninja Foodi.
• Wooden Spatula: Indispensable for deglazing the pot after sautéing, ensuring no bits stick to the bottom.
• Meat Thermometer: Absolutely essential for food safety. Always verify that the internal meat temperature in the thickest part of the tenderloin reaches at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) before serving.

Step-by-Step: Cooking Pork Tenderloin in a Pressure Cooker

Follow these simple instructions to prepare a mouth-watering pork tenderloin with a delectable French onion gravy:

1. Sear the Pork: Set your pressure cooker to the Sauté function and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Rub the minced garlic all over the outside of the tenderloin, then season generously with salt and pepper. Carefully lower the seasoned pork into the hot pot. Brown all sides of the tenderloin until a nice crust forms, about 2-3 minutes per side. Once seared, turn the pot off and remove the pork, placing it on a clean plate.
2. Deglaze the Pot: Pour ½ cup of your chosen broth into the hot pot. Use a wooden spatula to scrape the bottom, ensuring all the delicious browned bits (fond) are loosened. This crucial step prevents the “Burn” notice and adds rich flavor to your gravy. Return the seared pork tenderloin to the pot, nestling it into the broth.
3. Prepare the Gravy Base: In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup of broth with the packet of French onion soup mix. Whisk thoroughly until the soup mix is fully dissolved. Pour this flavorful mixture over the pork tenderloin in the pot. Then, sprinkle your sliced onions on top and add another light seasoning of salt and pepper if you desire.
4. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your pressure cooker and ensure the steam release valve is sealed. Set the cooker to Manual (or Pressure Cook) on High pressure. For a 1.5 lb (approx. 680g) piece of pork tenderloin, cook for 4 minutes. If your tenderloin is closer to 1 lb (approx. 450g), reduce the cook time to 2-3 minutes.
5. Natural Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes. This natural release period is essential for the meat to absorb its juices, resulting in a more tender and moist outcome. After 15 minutes, perform a quick release of any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the tenderloin from the pot and let it rest on a cutting board for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum juiciness.
6. Thicken the Gravy (Optional): If you prefer a thicker gravy, turn your Instant Pot back to the Sauté function. In a small bowl, whisk together a few tablespoons of the hot liquid from the pot with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until a smooth slurry forms. Pour this slurry into the Instant Pot and whisk continuously with the remaining liquid. Allow the mixture to bubble gently and thicken to your desired consistency. You can add one more tablespoon of cornstarch slurry if you want it even thicker; remember, it will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
7. Serve: Slice the rested pork tenderloin against the grain. Serve it generously over your favorite sides, such as creamy Ninja Foodi white rice or fluffy pressure cooker mashed potatoes, and spoon the rich French onion gravy over each serving for an unforgettable meal.

Can You Cook Pork Tenderloin from Frozen in an Instant Pot?

While it’s always preferable to defrost pork tenderloin before cooking for optimal texture and consistent results, the Instant Pot offers a convenient solution for those forgetful moments. Cooking from frozen will naturally require a bit more time for the pressure cooker to come to pressure, as the frozen meat needs to defrost slightly within the pot before the cooking process truly begins.

For detailed instructions and adjusted cooking times specifically for frozen Instant Pot pork tenderloin, please refer to our comprehensive guide at the provided link. This will ensure your frozen tenderloin turns out just as tender and delicious.

Is Pork Tenderloin Suitable for Shredding?

Pork tenderloin is an exceptionally lean cut of meat, which makes it less ideal for shredding. Cuts that are best for shredding, like those used for pulled pork, typically have a higher fat content and more connective tissue. These elements break down during longer cooking times, resulting in that fall-apart, shreddable texture. If your goal is to make shredded pork for sandwiches, tacos, or sliders, we recommend choosing a different cut:

• The best roast for shredding is undoubtedly the pork shoulder (also known as pork butt).
  • High in both fat and connective tissue, the shoulder is the most flavorful part of the hog for slow-cooked, shreddable results.
    • The Boston butt is one common portion when the shoulder is butchered.
    • The other common portion is often called the picnic roast.
• For an amazing shredded pork recipe, we highly recommend following our Instant Pot pork shoulder recipe, designed specifically for that tender, shreddable outcome.
• Alternatively, if you’re craving Instant Pot Hawaiian pulled pork for sliders, we’ve had great success using a center-cut pork loin, which while leaner than a shoulder, can still yield good results for shredding when cooked appropriately.