Oh, the Instant Pot! If you’re anything like me, you probably have one sitting on your counter gathering dust, or maybe you use it all the time and are always looking for new ways to love it. For me, it’s a lifesaver on those crazy weeknights when dinner needs to be on the table FAST. And let me tell you, this Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin recipe is pure magic! It’s incredibly garlicky, super tender, and done in practically minutes. Seriously, this has bailed me out more times than I can count when I’ve forgotten to plan ahead. It’s proof that you can have a restaurant-worthy meal without all the fuss!

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this recipe? It checks all the boxes for a perfect weeknight meal:

Super Speedy: We’re talking dinner on the table in about 30 minutes, start to finish!
Crazy Easy: Just a few simple steps, and your Instant Pot does most of the work.
Minimal Mess: One pot means less washing up? Sign me up!
Incredible Flavor: That garlic just infuses the pork with so much yumminess.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to whip up this glorious Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin. It’s pretty straightforward, really. You’ll want one pork tenderloin, usually about a pound and a half – make sure it’s trimmed of any extra silver skin if you see it.

For the flavor magic, we’re using a good glug of olive oil to get things started, and then about six cloves of garlic. Don’t be shy with the garlic; it’s in the name, after all! Make sure you mince it up nice and fine. Then, we’ll need salt and black pepper for seasoning, and some chicken broth to make that lovely sauce. If you want the sauce a little thicker at the end, a touch of cornstarch whisked with water is your best friend.

Equipment Needed for Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Okay, so you don’t need a whole fancy setup for this Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin! The star of the show is obviously your trusty Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker. You’ll also want some basic measuring cups and spoons, a good knife and cutting board for mincing that garlic, and a pair of tongs – those are super handy for searing and moving the pork around. Oh, and a plate or bowl to set the pork on while you get the garlic going!

How to Prepare Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin: Step-by-Step

Alright, buckle up, because this Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin is ridiculously easy. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to get such fantastic results. Let’s get this magic going!

First things first, grab your pork tenderloin. Give it a good pat down with paper towels – getting it nice and dry helps it get a better sear later on. Then, season it all over with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy here; this is your first layer of flavor!
Now, fire up your Instant Pot. We want to use the ‘Sauté’ function and let it heat up for a minute or two. Once it’s nice and hot, add your olive oil. Swirl it around the bottom of the pot.
Carefully place your seasoned pork tenderloin into the hot oil. We’re going to sear it on all sides until it’s got a lovely brown crust. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side. It’s not about cooking it through, just getting that beautiful color and flavor locked in! Once it’s nicely browned, take it out and set it aside on a plate for a moment.
See all those yummy browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot? That’s flavor gold! Now, toss in your minced garlic. Give it a quick sauté for like, 30 seconds, until it smells amazing. You’ve got to watch it closely here, because garlic can burn super fast!
Pour in your chicken broth – and if you’re using soy sauce, add that now too. Use your spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This step is super important for building a rich sauce.
Now, gently place your seared pork tenderloin back into the Instant Pot, right into that garlicky broth. Make sure it’s nestled in there nicely.
Okay, time to pressure cook! Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the steam release valve is set to ‘Sealing’. Then, select ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ mode and set the timer for just 8 minutes on high pressure. Yep, only 8 minutes!
Once the cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot do its thing with a natural pressure release for 5 minutes. This means you just leave it alone. After those 5 minutes, carefully move the valve to the ‘Venting’ position to release any remaining pressure. Be careful, steam is hot!
Carefully remove the pork tenderloin from the pot. Let it rest on a cutting board or plate for about 5 to 10 minutes. This resting period is crucial for keeping the pork juicy and tender.
Now for the sauce! If you like a thicker sauce, grab a small bowl and whisk together the cornstarch with about a tablespoon of cold water until it’s smooth. Turn your Instant Pot back to the ‘Sauté’ function. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the liquid in the pot and stir constantly until it thickens up beautifully. It usually only takes a minute or two!
Slice your perfectly cooked pork tenderloin and spoon that amazing garlic sauce right over the top. Dinner is SERVED!

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Tips for the Best Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Making this Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin is already a breeze, but a few little tricks can take it from great to absolutely unforgettable. First off, don’t skip that sear! Getting a nice brown crust on the pork tenderloin before pressure cooking adds so much depth of flavor. It really makes a difference.

When it comes to the garlic, seriously, watch it like a hawk when you sauté it. Burnt garlic is bitter, and nobody wants that! Just a quick 30 seconds until it smells intoxicating is all you need. Also, deglazing the pot after searing the pork is HUGE. Those little browned bits stuck to the bottom are flavor bombs, so scrape ’em all up into the broth.

And for the pressure release? I usually do the 5-minute natural release like the recipe says. It seems to keep the pork super tender. If you’re ever unsure, checking out how to handle pressure release can give you extra peace of mind!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin

So, about those ingredients for our fantastic Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin! Most of it’s pretty standard pantry stuff, but let’s chat for a sec. If you don’t have chicken broth, no worries! Beef broth works just as well, or even vegetable broth if that’s what you’ve got on hand. Just make sure it’s a low-sodium kind so you can control the saltiness yourself.

And that soy sauce? It adds such a lovely umami depth. If you need to keep it gluten-free, just swap it out for tamari. For the garlic, fresh is totally best here, but if you’re in a pinch, about a teaspoon of garlic powder can work in a pinch, though it won’t give quite the same punch.

Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Okay, now that you’ve got this delicious Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin, what do you serve with it? Honestly, it’s so versatile! It goes perfectly with some fluffy mashed potatoes or a big scoop of creamy polenta. For something a little lighter, a simple side salad with a zesty vinaigrette is always a winner. And if you want to get fancy, maybe some roasted asparagus or green beans? Don’t forget to drizzle all that amazing garlic sauce over everything! For more easy meal ideas, especially for things like fun drinks, you can always check out this spot!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin is fantastic, and it stores like a dream! Once it’s cooled down a bit, just pop it into an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It should keep perfectly well for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is to gently warm it up on the stovetop over low heat, maybe with a splash of extra broth or a little side of that delicious sauce, so it doesn’t dry out. You can also pop it in the microwave, but give it a quick stir halfway through to ensure it heats evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions about Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Got questions about this super speedy Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things people often ask:

Can I use a different cut of pork?

While this recipe is specifically for pork tenderloin because it cooks so fast and stays tender, you could technically try it with a pork loin. Just know you’ll need to adjust the cooking time significantly—pork loin is much thicker and denser. For the best results and the cook time this recipe calls for, stick with the tenderloin!

How do I get the sauce thicker if I didn’t use cornstarch?

No worries if you forgot the cornstarch or just prefer a naturally thickened sauce! You can easily do this by just letting the liquid simmer on the ‘Sauté’ setting for a few extra minutes after you remove the pork. It’ll reduce and thicken up on its own. Just stir it occasionally so it doesn’t stick!

Is it okay to skip searing the pork tenderloin?

You *can* skip it if you’re really in a rush, but I highly, highly recommend not skipping that step! Searing the pork tenderloin before pressure cooking adds a ton of flavor and a nice texture that you just don’t get otherwise. That browned exterior is where so much deliciousness comes from!

What if my Instant Pot doesn’t have a ‘Sauté’ function?

Most electric pressure cookers do have a sauté function, but if yours doesn’t, you can always use a regular skillet on the stovetop to sear the pork and sauté the garlic before transferring everything to the Instant Pot for pressure cooking. Just remember to scrape all those good browned bits from the skillet into the pot!

Can I add vegetables to the Instant Pot with the pork?

You sure can! That’s the beauty of the Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin being so versatile. You could add some quick-cooking veggies like baby carrots, broccoli florets, or snap peas during the last few minutes of pressure cooking, or even just steam them separately. For a one-pot meal, chopped potatoes or sweet potatoes could go in from the start, but they might need a slightly longer cook time. If you’re looking for more super easy recipes, especially for things like blended drinks sometimes, you can check out this spot!

Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and flavorful pork tenderloin cooked in the Instant Pot with garlic.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pork tenderloin (about 1.5 lbs)
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening sauce)

Instructions

Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Set your Instant Pot to the ‘Sauté’ function. Add olive oil and let it heat up.
Sear the pork tenderloin on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the pork from the pot and set aside.
Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Pour in the chicken broth and soy sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Return the pork tenderloin to the Instant Pot.
Secure the lid and set the valve to ‘Sealing’. Cook on ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high pressure for 8 minutes.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.
Remove the pork tenderloin from the pot and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
If you want a thicker sauce, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ and stir in the cornstarch mixture until the sauce thickens.
Slice the pork tenderloin and serve with the sauce.

Notes

You can substitute beef broth for chicken broth if preferred.
For extra flavor, you can add herbs like rosemary or thyme during the sautéing of the garlic.
Ensure your Instant Pot is set to ‘Sealing’ before starting the pressure cooking cycle.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Category: Main Course
Method: Pressure Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 oz
Calories: 250
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: Instant Pot, pork tenderloin, garlic, easy recipe, quick dinner, pressure cooker