Instant Pot Balsamic Apple Pork Tenderloin is a quick cooking meal that has an amazing sweet & tangy flavored sauce to go on the tender pork medallions.
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil, neutral, such as canola or sunflower
- 1.5 lbs Pork Tenderloin* (not loin roast)
- 1 small Onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic, pressed or finely minced
- 2 1/2 Tbsps Balsamic Vinegar (a good quality vinegar makes a big difference)
- 1/2 cup Apple Juice or Chicken Broth, low sodium
- 1 Apple, chopped (any variety you like)
- 1/2 tsp Coarse Salt (or 1/4 tsp table salt)
- 1 sprig Rosemary, about a 3″ sprig
- 3 sprigs Thyme, fresh
- 2 Tbsps Honey
- 1 Tbsp Butter
- 2 1/2 tsps Corn Starch
Instructions
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Turn on pot to Sauté function (Normal/Med heat). When the display reads Hot, add the oil.
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Place the tenderloin in the pot and let it cook for 2-4 minutes (depending on thickness), undisturbed, Then flip it over and do the same on that side. Brown all 4 sides (I just call it 4 sides).
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Remove the tenderloin to a plate. Set aside.
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Add the onion and cook until tender, stirring frequently, deglazing the pot (scraping up all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pot). You might need to add a small splash of the broth to help loosen the fond (brown bits).
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Add the garlic. Stir.
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Add the balsamic vinegar. Stir.
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Add the juice/broth, apple, salt, rosemary, and thyme. Stir well.
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Add the tenderloin back in and nestle it down into the broth mixture.
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Put the lid on the pot and lock it in place. Set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Cancel the Sauté function.
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Press Pressure Cook (Manual) and adjust the pressure to Low Pressure, then the + or – to choose 2 minutes.
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When the cooking cycle ends, Turn the pot off or unplug it (so the warming doesn’t get activated) and let the pot sit for 15 minutes (natural release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining pressure/steam (there may not be any, and that’s okay).
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When the pin in the lid drops, open the lid and use a meat thermometer to take the internal temperature of the tenderloin. If it reads 137 degrees (F) or more, you are good to remove the tenderloin to a plate and cover with foil to rest (it will continue to cook and heat to the desired 145 degrees (F) temp).
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If the tenderloin isn’t up to temp, Remove the tenderloin and complete the next 3 steps. Then add tenderloin to mixture and let it cook for a few minutes, turning once. Check temperature again before removing and covering with foil. Then proceed to adding the corn starch, etc.
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Turn the Sauté function back on.
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Add the honey and stir well to incorporate.
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Add the butter and stir.
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Cook for about 5 minutes to let the mixture reduce a little and the flavors concentrate.
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Scoop out about 1/3 cup of the liquid into a cup and whisk in the corn starch. Pour mixture into the simmering sauce and stir well to thicken.
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Turn off the pot.
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Slice the tenderloin into medallions and serve with a generous portion of the balsamic-apple sauce.
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Garnish if desired (photo shows thyme and pomegranate arils).
*If you have a smaller tenderloin, say 1 pound, you will only cook for 1 minute instead of 2. Same natural release time. Please use a meat thermometer, they are so handy!
Source: Instant Pot Balsamic Apple Pork Tenderloin | Simply Happy Foodie
