Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin (From Frozen!)

Name: Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin (From Frozen!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 lb Pork Tenderloin (From Frozen); 2 cups Chicken Broth (Low Sodium); 1/4 cup Soy Sauce; 1/2 cup Honey; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; 2 tbsp Cornstarch

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Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin is a delicious, flavorful, and simple weeknight dinner to make! The best part is, you don't have to defrost the pork tenderloin, we're making it from frozen!

The pork tenderloin is on a plate covered in gravy in front of the Instant Pot.

Pork is a delicious meal to make on busy weeknights! You can make pork chops, pulled pork, pork loin roast, or one of the other many cuts of pork.

Pork tenderloin recipes can be tricky to make because the tenderloin can overcook easily. Not with the Instant Pot though, that's why it's the best way to cook pork tenderloin!

Serve this pork tenderloin with amazing side dishes like Greek Pasta Salad with Penne Pasta, Instant Pot German Potato Salad, Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto, Instant Pot Steamed Asparagus, Baked Brown Sugar Carrots, or Italian Stuffed Mushrooms!

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Why You'll Love This Recipe!
Ingredients You'll Need
Substitutions and Variations
What is a Pork Tenderloin?
Step By Step Instructions
Tips and Tricks
Recipe FAQs
More Instant Pot Recipes
📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe!

It's easy to make! This is one of those set it and forget it kind of meals. Add the frozen tenderloin and other ingredients to the Instant Pot, set the cooking time, and wait for the magic to happen!
It's great for meal prep! You can double or triple this easy pork tenderloin recipe and use the pork for a fresh salad, sandwiches, or stir-fry's!
It's full of flavor! The sauce is full of delicious flavors, once thickened it acts as the perfect gravy!

Ingredients You'll Need

The ingredients for the Instant Pot Pork tenderloin are laid out.

Pork tenderloin. At the grocery store, you can buy a package of one or two pound loins. We are using a two pound loin or two packages.
Chicken broth. This will create the steam for the Instant Pot. You can use low sodium chicken broth from the store or you can make homemade chicken broth.
Cornstarch. This will thicken the sauce at the bottom of the pot once the pork tenderloin is done cooking.

See printable recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

To brown the pork tenderloin first, add olive oil to the bottom of the pot before adding any liquid. Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and cook on all sides until brown. Be sure to scrape up those browned bits when making the gravy!
If you don't have chicken broth, you can use chicken stock, vegetable stock, or water.
Maple syrup or brown sugar can be used instead of honey.
If you want to add a spice rub, mix together Italian seasoning black pepper, salt, and onion powder for lots more flavor!
Balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce can be added to the cooking liquid along with the soy sauce for even more flavor!

What is a Pork Tenderloin?

The pork tenderloin is a very lean cut of pork from the back part of the animal. It's so lean, that it can be compared to a boneless, skinless chicken breast because of the fat content. When you are cooking the pork tenderloin, it can be easily overcooked, that's why pressure cooking is a great method to cook the meat. Since we are creating steam, the frozen pork tenderloin will cook to perfection every time!

Step By Step Instructions

Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, and garlic powder to the Instant Pot. Mix well until fully combined.

Place the trivet insert into the Instant Pot and remove the frozen pork tenderloin from the package and place it on the trivet.

Close the lid of the Instant Pot and make sure the knob is set to the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure and the cook time to 25 minutes.

After 25 minutes, let the Instant Pot natural pressure release for 10 minutes. After the natural release is done, quick release any remaining pressure. Remove the pork tenderloin from the Instant Pot and let it rest on a cutting board.

The pork and the cooking liquid is in the Instant Pot.

Take out 1 cup of cooking liquid and place it in a small bowl. Add the cornstarch and mix well until the cornstarch is dissolved.

Add the cornstarch slurry back to the Instant Pot and mix well. Turn the Instant Pot on sauté function and let the gravy thicken.

Slice the pork tenderloin and top with gravy. Serve and enjoy!

Hot Tip! To make the sauce silky smooth, run the gravy through a fine mesh strainer.

Tips and Tricks

If your pork tenderloin is not frozen, cook it on high pressure for 3 minutes and natural release for 15 minutes.
The Instant Pot will take 5-10 minutes to come up to pressure.
The internal temperature of the pork should be 145 degrees f. You can easily check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
Use your favorite spice rub if that is what your family loves! If you are using one with black pepper and chili powder, I would change up the gravy as those flavors will likely clash.

The texture of the pork is shown covered in gravy.

Recipe FAQs

How should leftovers be stored?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat the leftovers, add a little bit of oil to a pan and saute the pork in the vegetable oil or olive oil for a few minutes.

How should I serve this pressure cooker pork tenderloin?

Serve this juicy pork over Instant Pot white rice, Instant Pot brown rice, Instant Pot Mexican rice, or with Instant Pot sweet potatoes.

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

Sure! Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, except the cornstarch. Let the slow cooker cook on high for 4 hour or low for 8 hours. After the cooking time is up, make the cornstarch slurry and let the cooking liquid thicken for another 45 minutes.