How to Cook Perfectly Juicy Smithfield Pork Tenderloin in Your Instant Pot

Pork tenderloin is a quick, easy, and delicious weeknight dinner option. It’s lean, tender, and versatile – you can dress it up or keep it simple. And cooking pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot results in a moist, flavorful meal with minimal effort.

If you’re looking for a foolproof pork tenderloin recipe, look no further than cooking Smithfield pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot. Smithfield pork is high-quality, consistently delicious pork. And the Instant Pot locks in moisture and flavor. Together, they create a mouthwatering meal your whole family will love.

In this article, we’ll walk through how to make perfect Smithfield pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot, step-by-step. We’ll cover

• Why Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Instant Pot
• Tips for Choosing a Smithfield Pork Tenderloin
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• Step-by-Step Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe
• Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes
• Storing and Reheating Leftovers

So let’s get cooking! Keep reading for my best tips on making tender, juicy Smithfield pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot.

Why Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Instant Pot?

Cooking pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot has several advantages over traditional oven cooking:

• Moist and tender meat The pressurized environment locks in moisture. Pork tenderloin can easily dry out in the oven but stays nice and juicy in the Instant Pot.

• Time saver: The countdown timer makes Instant Pot pork a hands-off meal. No need to monitor it like you would in the oven.

• Beautiful caramelized exterior: You can sear the pork first to develop delicious browned flavors.

• Cooks from frozen: No need to thaw pork first, you can cook tenderloin straight from the freezer.

• Convenient one-pot meal: You can cook the pork and make an easy sauce all in one pot. Cleanup is a breeze.

• More nutrients retained: The high pressure environment cooks food more quickly, preserving more vitamins and minerals.

So in a nutshell, Instant Pot pork tenderloin is faster, juicier, and more nutritious than oven cooking. It’s my new favorite way to cook this healthy, delicious cut of meat.

How to Choose a Smithfield Pork Tenderloin

Not all pork tenderloins are created equal. Choosing a high-quality cut of meat is key for the best flavor and texture. I recommend Smithfield pork for its:

• Flavor: Smithfield pork has a mildly sweet, tender flavor. Their pork is minimally processed without artificial ingredients.

• Juiciness: Smithfield tenderloins stay moist and tender when cooked. They don’t dry out like lower quality cuts of pork.

• Marbling: Properly marbled pork has just the right amount of fat for flavor and moisture. Smithfield pork hits the sweet spot.

• Consistency: You can count on uniform size and quality every time. No surprises with Smithfield!

• Easy prep: Smithfield pork comes trimmed and ready to cook. There’s no silver skin or excess fat to trim off.

For best results, choose a Smithfield pork tenderloin that is:

• 1 to 2 pounds
• Uniform in size and shape
• Light pink in color
• Minimal marbling throughout

This size tenderloin will cook perfectly in the timeframe specified in this Instant Pot recipe.

Ingredients Needed

Cooking Smithfield pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot is simple with just a few ingredients:

• 1 Smithfield pork tenderloin (1-2 lbs)
• 1⁄4 cup chicken broth or water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

That’s it! The natural flavor of Smithfield pork shines with just a bit of seasoning. Customize the spices to your taste or keep it super simple with just salt and pepper.

Optional ingredients:

• 1⁄4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp maple syrup for a tangy maple glaze
• Sliced onions or garlic to cook with the pork
• 1⁄2 cup chicken broth and cornstarch to make an easy pan gravy

Now let’s get to cooking! Here is my step-by-step method for making flawless Smithfield pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot.

Step-by-Step Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Follow these simple steps for tender, juicy pork tenderloin every time.

1. Prepare the Instant Pot

• Remove the pork tenderloin from the fridge and pat dry with paper towels. Bring it to room temperature while you prep the other ingredients (about 15 minutes).

• Gather all the recipe ingredients and prep any aromatics like the garlic and rosemary.

• Pour 1⁄4 cup chicken broth or water into the Instant Pot.

• Insert the Instant Pot trivet or a steamer basket. The pork should not be touching the liquid.

2. Sear the Pork

• In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat.

• Season the pork all over with salt, pepper, and other spices if desired.

• Add the pork to the hot skillet and sear for 1 minute per side until lightly browned.

• Searing adds tons of flavor!

3. Pressure Cook the Pork

• Transfer the seared pork to the trivet in the Instant Pot.

• Lock the lid and make sure the pressure release valve is in the sealed position.

• Select Manual/Pressure Cook (high) and set the time to 15 minutes.

• The pot will take about 10-15 minutes to come up to pressure before the cooking countdown begins.

4. Release the Pressure

• Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.

• After 10 minutes, manually move the pressure release valve to the venting position to release any remaining steam.

• Wait until the valve drops before opening the lid.

5. Check Doneness

• Pork is safe to eat and tender at an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

• To check for doneness, insert an instant read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the tenderloin.

• If under 145°F, re-cover and let rest 5 minutes then check again.

6. Make a Pan Sauce (Optional)

For extra flavor, make an easy pan sauce while the pork rests.

• Press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot.

• Pour in 1⁄2 cup chicken broth and simmer 5 minutes, scraping any browned bits from the pot bottom.

• In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp water with 1-2 tbsp cornstarch.

• Stir the cornstarch slurry into the broth. Cook 2 minutes until thickened.

• Stir in any desired seasonings.

7. Slice and Serve

• Transfer the rested pork to a cutting board.

• Slice into 1⁄2″ pieces. Pork should be slightly pink inside.

• Serve topped with the tasty pan sauce!

And that’s it! Perfectly cooked, super juicy and flavorful Smithfield pork tenderloin ready in under an hour.

Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes

Smithfield pork tenderloin is very versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

• On buns for tenderloin sandwiches with pickles and mustard

• Alongside cheesy scalloped potatoes or potato casserole

• With roasted potatoes, carrots, and brussels sprouts

• On top of fresh spinach or arugula salads

• Over rice with teriyaki or soy glaze

• In tacos, fajitas, or burrito bowls

• On pasta with a creamy mushroom sauce

• With sauteed peppers, onions, and chimichurri sauce

Some great side dishes and vegetable pairings include:

• Garlic green beans
• Roasted broccoli
• Carrot sticks
• Brown rice
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Mixed greens salad
• Caesar salad
• Dinner rolls or biscuits

Storing and Reheating Leftover Pork

Like most meats, Smithfield pork tenderloin tastes best freshly cooked. But you can store and reheat leftovers.

Storage

• Let pork rest at least 10 minutes before refrigerating.

• Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

• For longer storage, slice pork and freeze for up to 4 months.

Reheating

• Reheat refrigerated pork in the microwave, covered, for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.

• Reheat frozen pork by baking at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until hot.

• Stir pan sauce thoroughly before reheating. Add broth