Name: The Juiciest Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pork tenderloin (about 1.5 lbs); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar; 2 tbsp honey; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 1/2 tsp paprika; 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

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If you’re looking for a foolproof way to make pork tenderloin extra juicy and flavorful, this Instant Pot recipe is it. With a sweet and tangy honey balsamic sauce, this dish comes together in no time but tastes like you’ve been cooking for hours. Perfect for weeknights or a special meal!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy – The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting in just about 30 minutes.
Juicy & Tender – No more dry pork! The pressure cooking locks in moisture.
Flavor Explosion – The honey balsamic sauce is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory.
Great for Meal Prep – Leftovers reheat beautifully for another meal.

Ingredients

You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to make this dish shine. Here are some of the key players:

Pork tenderloin
Balsamic vinegar
Honey
Garlic
Dijon mustard
Chicken broth
Olive oil
Seasonings (salt, pepper, thyme, paprika)

Full list of ingredients is in the recipe card below!

Directions

Sear the Pork

Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat olive oil and sear the pork tenderloin on all sides until golden brown. This step locks in flavor!

Deglaze the Pot

Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. This adds incredible depth to the sauce.

Pressure Cook

Whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and seasonings. Pour over the pork, then secure the lid. Cook on high pressure for about 3 minutes, then allow a natural release for 10 minutes before venting.

Make the Sauce

Remove the pork and set it aside to rest. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode again, letting the sauce simmer and reduce for a few minutes. If needed, mix a little cornstarch with water to thicken it up.

Slice & Serve

Slice the pork into medallions and drizzle generously with the honey balsamic sauce. Serve immediately!

Expert Tips and Tricks

Don’t Skip the Sear – It adds so much flavor and gives the pork a beautiful crust.
Use a Meat Thermometer – Pork tenderloin is best at 145°F for juicy results.
Let It Rest – Give the pork a few minutes before slicing to keep those juices in.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Swap the Sweetener – Try maple syrup or brown sugar instead of honey.
Make It Spicy – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Use a Different Cut – If using pork loin instead of tenderloin, increase the cooking time.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This pork tenderloin pairs beautifully with:

Mashed potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes
Garlic green beans or steamed broccoli
A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts.
Freeze: You can freeze sliced pork in sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

FAQs

Can I cook frozen pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot?

Yes! Skip the searing step and increase the cook time to about 10 minutes.

What if my sauce is too thin?

Mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce while simmering.

How do I keep pork tenderloin from drying out?

Make sure you don’t overcook it! Using a meat thermometer ensures perfect doneness.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, but make sure the pork pieces fit in a single layer so they cook evenly.

Conclusion

This Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic Sauce is a simple yet impressive dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. The rich, tangy-sweet sauce makes it irresistible, and the Instant Pot takes all the guesswork out of cooking. Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out!

The Juiciest Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Honey Balsamic Sauce

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This Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin is incredibly juicy and packed with flavor, thanks to a rich honey balsamic sauce. The pressure cooker locks in moisture, creating a tender pork dish that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked for hours—but it’s ready in just 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights or a special dinner.

Author: Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Instant Pot
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Instructions

Sear the Pork: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Heat olive oil, then sear the pork tenderloin on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon.
Pressure Cook: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika. Pour over the pork. Secure the lid and set to High Pressure for 3 minutes. Let naturally release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
Make the Sauce: Remove pork and set aside to rest. Switch the Instant Pot to Sauté mode, allowing the sauce to simmer and reduce for a few minutes. For a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water and stir it in.
Slice & Serve: Slice the pork into medallions, drizzle with the honey balsamic sauce, and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use a meat thermometer—pork is perfectly cooked at 145°F.
Letting the pork rest before slicing helps retain its juices.
If using frozen pork, skip the searing step and increase the cook time to 10 minutes.