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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin

April 27, 2019 by Sandy 40 Comments

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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin is a restaurant quality recipe. The pork is very tender and deliciously flavored by a dry spice rub and an amazing honey garlic sauce. This pressure cooker honey garlic pork tenderloin is special enough for date night, or a weeknight dinner.

Sliced Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin with rosemary garnish on black plate

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin

A couple of years ago, I kept seeing posts in the IP Facebook group from people who were having trouble cooking a pork tenderloin. They kept coming out dry and rubbery. Not good! I ended up spending an entire weekend testing pork tenderloins in the Instant Pot®!

My dear husband ate a lot of pork that week! It was worth it, because I found a method that works every time. You will get a tender, juicy pork tenderloin that is perfectly sliceable!

I posted my recipe and people went crazy for it. The recipe is my Instant Pot Balsamic Apple Pork Tenderloin. It remained in my top 5 recipes for over a year!

Sliced Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin with rosemary garnish on black plate

My method really caught on, and pretty soon more people told me they were cooking pork tenderloins in the pressure cooker and loving them!

So What Is This Method You Speak Of?

Since pork tenderloins are so small (1 to 1 1/2 lbs average), and cook fast, people often overcook them. So what I tried was browning them on all sides, then a super short pressure cook time, 1 minute on Low pressure, or 0 (zero) minutes on High pressure and a long natural release (15 minutes. Or longer if your tenderloin is larger/thicker).

If your pot doesn’t have LOW pressure, just do 0 minutes High pressure and a 15 minute natural release.

After testing this, I thought the results were perfect! The cook time will depend on the size (thickness and weight) of your pork tenderloin.

Stacked sliced Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin on black plate

So that’s it! The seasonings and sauces you can use are endless. You can get pretty creative since pork goes well with so many flavors. Especially fruit, onion, and Asian flavors.

Don’t confuse a pork loin roast with a pork tenderloin

Just like chicken breasts and chicken tenders are different, so are pork loin and tenderloin. The tenderloin is smaller, and rounder, and long & skinny compared to a pork loin roast.

A pork loin roast is kind of rectangular in shape, is larger, and not as soft to the touch when you press on it. This is a very lean cut of pork, and it usually needs anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes in the pressure cooker, depending on the size/thickness.

Can I cook more than one at a time?

Yes! Make sure they are the same size. You can keep the cook time the same, and let naturally release a few minutes longer.

Sliced Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin with rosemary garnish on black plate

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin is a wonderful recipe! This would be so nice to make for Mom on Mother’s Day. Served with some jasmine rice and a small salad, she will feel like a Queen!

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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin on black plate with title and Simply Happy Foodie.com logo

4.85 from 13 votes
Sliced Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin garnished with fresh rosemary on black plate
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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
11 mins
Total Time
51 mins
 

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin is flavored with a spice rub & honey garlic sauce. An incredible, delicious, tender pressure cooker pork tenderloin!

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pressure cooker honey garlic pork tenderloin recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 443 kcal
Author: Sandy Clifton
Ingredients
  • 1 lb Pork Tenderloin (not pork loin roast)
Dry Rub
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Thyme
  • 1 tsp Rosemary
Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Orange Juice
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Garlic, (7 to 9 cloves) pressed or finely minced
  • 1/2 cup Soy Sauce, low sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Grated Ginger
  • 1/2 cup Honey
For Browning the Pork
  • 1 tsp Olive Oil
  • 3 Tbsp Butter
To Thicken (whisk together)
  • 3 Tbsp Corn Starch
  • 4 Tbsp Cold Water
For Serving
  • 2-3 cups Hot Cooked Rice
Instructions
  1. First, note how much your pork tenderloin weighs (they are typically 1 to 1 1/2 lbs) and measure across to find out how thick it is. This recipe is for a 1 lb tenderloin at 1.5" thick. If yours is larger, it will need to rest longer after pressure cooking.

Prepare the Pork
  1. Mix the dry rub ingredients together and coat the pork tenderloin on all sides. Set aside.

Make the Sauce and Slurry
  1. In a bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients until the honey is fully dissolved in the sauce. Set aside.

  2. Mix together the corn starch and water. Set aside.

Brown the Pork
  1. Turn on the Sauté setting. When it is hot, add the olive oil and the butter. Then place the pork in the pot and brown in on all sides about 2-3 minutes each side. Then remove it to a plate.

  2. Add the sauce to the pot and stir, scraping the bottom of the pot to get up any of the fond (browned bits). This is also called deglazing. Turn off the pot.

  3. Place the pork back in the pot and coat with the sauce.

Pressure Cook the Pork
  1. Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.

  2. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 1 minute (for a 1 lb tenderloin, 1.5" thick). LOW Pressure. The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.

  3. If your pot doesn't have Low pressure, cook a 1 lb tenderloin (1.5" thick) for 0 (zero) minutes at High pressure.

  4. When the cook cycle has finished, turn off the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 15 minutes. Use a timer. Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release any remaining steam/pressure. There may not be any. If you have a thicker tenderloin, more than 1 lb, let it stay in there 23 minutes and then check it.

  5. When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.

  6. Check the temperature of the pork. It should be 145° to be done. If it's a little higher than that, it's okay. If it's a little lower, put the lid on and let it rest there a few more minutes.

  7. Remove the tenderloin to a baking pan and cover loosely with foil. Turn on your oven to Broil to start heating it up.

Thicken the Sauce
  1. Turn on the Sauté setting again. When it starts to simmer, add the corn starch slurry, stirring until the sauce thickens. Then turn off the pot.

Broil to Caramelize the Sauce
  1. Remove the foil from the tenderloin and spoon some of the sauce over it. Place under the broiler and caramelize the coating. Watch it so it doesn't burn!

Serve
  1. Serve the tenderloin sliced into medallions, on top of some rice with more sauce over it.

Recipe Notes

You can cook more than one pork tenderloin at the same time. Make sure they are the same size. You can keep the cook time the same.


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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Filed Under: Dinner, Gluten-Free, Holiday, Instant Pot, Recipes

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Comments

  1. William Storey

    January 18, 2021 at 9:31 am

    Tried it. Loved it! Passed the recipe to my daughter and friends.

    Reply
  2. Jessie

    August 15, 2020 at 6:30 pm

    This recipe was incredible. The tenderloin was perfectly cooked and so tender. Best thing I’ve ever made in my Instant Pot!! I didn’t caramelize in the oven. I just thickened the sauce and served it on the side. Also I didn’t have orange juice so I used limeade instead and it worked very well.

    Reply
    • Jen

      October 28, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      Would it still turn out well if I prepare the pork with the rub on it and leave it over night in the fridge?

      Reply
      • Sandy

        November 25, 2020 at 10:58 pm

        That will only make it soak in and be more delicious!

        Reply
  3. Joan Turner Rosner

    June 27, 2020 at 8:45 am

    I have made this several times and was a success even for my non pork eating husband. I would like to try it tonight but with skinless boneless chicken thighs.

    Any suggestions on changes.

    Joan

    Reply
    • Sandy

      July 8, 2020 at 10:53 pm

      I would keep it the same. The thighs will cook pretty fast, so maybe do 7 minutes with a 10 minute natural release.

      Reply
  4. Darlene D Derksen

    February 19, 2020 at 4:55 am

    OMG amazing. I will cook 2 next time. it was even better the even day.

    Reply
  5. Sherry

    January 22, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    Did you use fresh or dried herbs?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      January 24, 2020 at 2:52 pm

      I used fresh.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        February 14, 2020 at 6:41 pm

        Would dry work? Same amount for each herb?

        Reply
        • Sandy

          February 16, 2020 at 9:25 am

          If using dry, use half the amount. With rosemary I really urge you to use fresh, there’s nothing like it! But if you have to use dry, crush it up first so the little leaves aren’t as long.

          Reply
  6. Petey

    January 13, 2020 at 5:22 pm

    I liked it. I tweaked it a little because I did have some of the ingredients, like onion powder, soy sauce. I used teriyaki sauce instead. Will make it again.

    Reply
  7. SAMANTHA L ANDERSON

    January 8, 2020 at 7:51 am

    Sandy,

    Right now I do not have an oven (it broke right before Christmas 🙁 ). What could I do to caramelize the the outside? Or do you think it would be okay not caramelized?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      January 8, 2020 at 11:30 am

      You don’t have to caramelize the outside. Try it without and see how you like it!

      Reply
  8. Cindy

    December 24, 2019 at 4:56 am

    Can’t wait to try this! Could you use a mustard style sauce? Any recommendations?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      December 24, 2019 at 6:49 am

      Yes, A mustard maple sauce or a honey mustard would be good.

      Reply
  9. Jackie

    December 14, 2019 at 9:26 pm

    This was amazing! Super delicious, so yummy. Thanks for all the great directions.

    Reply
  10. Carrie

    December 10, 2019 at 11:04 am

    Sorry, I’m new at the IP thing! So does 2 minutes extra mean time for 2 minutes with a 15 min release or add 2 mins to the release time?!
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Sandy

      December 10, 2019 at 9:42 pm

      Yes, just 2 more minutes extra cook time. Same natural release.

      Reply
  11. Angela Corelis

    December 4, 2019 at 2:23 pm

    Great recipe! I want to use the pressure cooker more and this was yummy and easy.

    Reply
  12. Sean

    November 30, 2019 at 12:13 pm

    How would you prepare a 5lb tenderloin? 5 mins with a 15min rest?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      November 30, 2019 at 12:55 pm

      It depends on how thick it is. I would start with 5 minutes. You can always cook it longer if you need to. I have seen them cooked as long as 20 minutes, though I haven’t tried that long.As long as it is a tenderloin and not a loin roast.

      Reply
  13. Rebecca

    November 25, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    How long does it boil?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      November 26, 2019 at 7:53 am

      It will depend on how caramelized you want it to be. Stay with it and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get overdone. Could be 3 minutes to 5 minutes. It’s your choice.

      Reply
  14. June

    November 11, 2019 at 4:55 pm

    This was just lovely! My brother and I loved it. Lately it’s very difficult to get Mom to eat. She has dementia, and complains that her food “doesn’t taste right”. Well I’m happy to tell you that she had three servings, and said she loved it. Thank you so much for this recipe!

    Reply
  15. Marquita Miller

    October 6, 2019 at 11:11 am

    I am always looking for new recipes for my insta pot. This recipe did not disappoint. It is delicious! I cooked two tenderloins doubling all the ingredients, but keeping the cook time the same. I used teriyaki for the sauce (all I had in the pantry). I could drink that sauce-perfect balance. The best part is that a complete meal eas on the table in about an hour. Truly restaurant quality. Will be making this often!

    Reply
    • Liz

      June 25, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      Tastiest and juiciest tenderloin I’ve ever made! So glad I came across your recipe. I’m used to cooking from cookbooks from chefs like Bobby Flay and Ina Garten. But this was soooo easy and tasty, without all the fuss. Can’t wait to try some of your other meals.

      Reply
  16. Jennifer

    September 9, 2019 at 12:50 pm

    Can you cook this with a frozen pork tenderloin? How would you adjust the time?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      September 10, 2019 at 10:02 pm

      Yes, you probably can’t brown it, but give it about 2 minutes extra cook time.

      Reply
  17. Jen

    July 17, 2019 at 12:12 pm

    My tenderloin is almost 2.5lbs. How do you recommend I adjust the cook time to accommodate the larger size? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sandy

      July 17, 2019 at 3:05 pm

      Hi Jen, It is more about the thickness, so if your tenderloin is fairly long and skinny, do 2 minutes. If it is shorter and thicker, do 3 minutes. Both with a 15 minute natural release.

      Reply
    • Lisa Gaumer

      November 22, 2019 at 5:18 am

      Good morning! I was wondering if you could pull the pork on this recipe? The sauce sounds like it would be an awesome accompaniment with pulled pork!

      Reply
      • Sandy

        November 22, 2019 at 7:40 am

        Hi, If you cook it longer you might be able to pull it. This is a sliceable tenderloin recipe, so it is cooked at a shorter time.

        Reply
  18. Lauren

    July 16, 2019 at 1:32 pm

    Easily the best tenderloin I have ever made. Making it again this week!

    Reply
    • Sandy

      July 16, 2019 at 4:04 pm

      Thank you, Lauren! That makes me so happy!

      Reply
  19. Marci McKown

    May 20, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    This was delicious, thank you for another fabulous recipe our family enjoyed

    Reply
    • Sandy

      May 20, 2019 at 7:44 pm

      You’re welcome, Marci! Thank you for your kind comment!

      Reply
  20. Stacey

    May 4, 2019 at 11:54 am

    This was excellent! Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply
  21. Stefani

    April 28, 2019 at 8:55 am

    I would like to try with turkey tenderloin. Would cook times change?

    Reply
    • Sandy

      April 28, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      I would keep the time the same, however, use High pressure. Unlike pork which can be a little pink, turkey cannot. So use a meat thermometer to make sure the temp is 165° F.

      Reply

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Sandy wearing a black shirt and a red apron I’m Sandy - foodie with a passion for cooking and sharing my tasty recipes. My hubby Paul, our Pug Gizmo, and I live in Washington.

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