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    Home » Recipes » Dairy Free

    Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

    Published: Oct 19, 2019 Modified: Mar 14, 2023 by Karen Kelly This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    This Easy Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin will become your go-to dinner the whole family will love.  Tender pork with a sweet brown sugar, balsamic sauce.  {gluten free}

    Instant Pot pork tenderloin in a white bowl.

    Do you have those go-to meals you make every week?  We love anything with a sweet sauce like this Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin.  It's tender moist pork tenderloin covered in a sweet brown sugar balsamic sauce.

    AND it's made in my handy dandy Instant Pot!

    I am obsessed with the ease of this machine.  I can now make a slow cooker tender meal in about 30 minutes!  Woohoo!  So get your Instant Pot or put it on your Christmas list and get busy making Pork Tenderloin, Sesame Chicken, Orange Chicken, and more!

    I hope your family loves this Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin.  It's...

    • tender and juicy
    • easy to make in the Instant Pot
    • made with pantry staples
    • gluten-free
    • covered in a sweet, delicious sauce!

    Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin in a white bowl.

    Ingredients

    • Pork tenderloin - Cut the tenderloin into pieces to allow it to fit in the Instant Pot easier.
    • Olive oil -  I like to use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
    • Garlic - Fresh garlic helps to liven up the dish.
    • Brown sugar - Adds a richer flavor than white sugar.
    • Balsamic vinegar - Balsamic vinegar is the star of the show! The slightly sweet, rich flavor of balsamic is what really makes this dish unique.
    • Tamari - Soy sauce can easily be used here, but I love how tamari is less salty. It is also thicker and richer, which works really well in the sauce here.
    • Rosemary - I recommend using fresh rosemary, but you can also substitute with dried.
    • Corn starch - Corn starch (along with water) helps to thicken the sauce.

    Instructions

    1. Mix all sauce ingredients, except corn starch, in a small bowl.

    2. Heat Instant Pot to saute.  Salt and pepper pork pieces and add olive oil to the pot.  Saute pork on all sides.

    3. Turn off saute and add sauce to pot.  Program Instant Pot to meat and cook for 20 minutes.  When the timer beeps, turn pressure cooker off and let the pressure naturally release.

    4. Remove meat from the Instant Pot.  Whisk together cornstarch and water.  Add the mixture to the Instant Pot and turn the pot on saute.  Let the sauce cook until it thickens.

    Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin in a white bowl.

    Top Tips

    • Keep in mind that while the pork takes 20 minutes to cook, it does take the Instant Pot around 10 minutes to come to pressure and another 10 minutes for the pressure to naturally release.
    • If the pork's internal temperature is under by 5-10 degrees after the pressure has finished releasing, you can place the lid back on to allow it to cook for longer.
    • Let the pork rest for 10 minutes after cooking. This ensures that the juices stay intact so you don't have dry, tough pork.
    • Try these delicious Instant Pot Carrots for the perfect side dish.

    I love the versatility of this Pork Tenderloin.  It can be sliced and served with mashed potatoes and green beans or you could treat it like pulled pork and throw it on some brioche buns.  Either way, it's sure to be loved by your family.  It's totally kid-friendly, and mine always gobble it up.  It makes great leftovers too.

    Look What Readers Are Saying About This Recipe

    "This was flavorful and SOOOOOO tender!!! I am a convert for the combo of sauteing and pressure cooking. Thank you so much for this super recipe!!!!" - Barbara

    "This was amazing. My entire family absolutely loved it. My son asked me to put it on the 'make again' list." -Christine

    "Yum! I threw in some potatoes and bell peppers to go with the pork.. The sauce was so good, a nice balance of sweet and savory that tasted great on everything. Thanks for sharing this deliciously easy recipe!" -Brittany

    More Pork Recipes to Try

    • Instant Pot Pork Tacos
    • Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin
    • Pork Tenderloin With Peaches
    • Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork
    • Pork Tostadas with Mango Salsa
    • Three Ingredient Barbecue Pork

    If you make this recipe, let me know what you think! I’d love it if you could add a star rating ★ and a comment below. Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

    Instant Pot pork tenderloin in a white bowl.

    Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

     This Instant Pot Sweet Balsamic Pork will become your go-to dinner the whole family will love.  Tender pork with a sweet brown sugar, balsamic sauce.  {gluten free}
    4.33 from 40 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Keyword: balsamic, instant pot, pork, pork tenderloin
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 328kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    • 1 1.5-2 lb pork tenderloin, cut into four pieces
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    Sauce

    • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce if not gluten free)
    • 1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped
    • 1 tablespoon corn starch

    Instructions

    • Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl except cornstarch.
    • Heat Instant Pot to saute.  Salt and pepper pork pieces and pour 1 tablespoon olive oil in the pot.  Saute pork on all sides.  
    • Turn off saute and add sauce to pot.  Program Instant Pot to meat and cook for 20 minutes.  When the timer beeps, turn pressure cooker off and let the pressure naturally release.  Do not skip this step or your meat will be tough.  
    • Remove meat from Instant Pot.  In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch with 2 tablespoon water.  Add the mixture to the Instant Pot and turn the pot on saute.  Whisk well and let it cook until it thickens a bit.  

    Notes

    I have adjusted the timing on this recipe because I have had confusion on the cooking times. The Instant Pot website recommends 20 minutes per pound of pork.  The internal temperature should reach 140 degrees.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 248mg | Potassium: 918mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.6mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @seasonal_cravings or tag #seasonal_cravings and I will repost on my stories.

    Adapted from my Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin.

     

    About Karen Kelly

    Hi, I'm Karen Kelly a certified health coach, freelance food writer, and blogger. At Seasonal Cravings, you will find wholesome gluten-free recipes and healthy lifestyle tips.

    Reader Interactions

    If you make this recipe, be sure to tag #seasonal_cravings on Instagram.  Please leave a comment below and rate the recipe. Thanks so much!

    Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook , and Instagram for all of the latest recipes and content.

     

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Shadi

      October 18, 2017 at 10:17 am

      Love anything with balsamic and brown sugar. It's a family friendly combo that everyone loves and is great for any season!

      Reply
    2. Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish

      October 18, 2017 at 10:25 am

      Instant pot for the win! Love this hearty recipe.

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        October 18, 2017 at 4:36 pm

        Thanks Suzy!

        Reply
    3. Jenni

      October 18, 2017 at 10:36 am

      Aren't pressure cookers just the best?! This looks super tender and juicy.

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        October 18, 2017 at 4:36 pm

        Yes, Jenni, I love my Instant Pot!

        Reply
    4. Karen (Back Road Journal)

      October 18, 2017 at 11:03 am

      Your pork looks tender and delicious.

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        October 18, 2017 at 4:35 pm

        Thanks Karen!

        Reply
    5. Sandi

      October 18, 2017 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      I love the idea of using my pressure cooker for this recipe! I love the balsamic flavor you paired for the pork.

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        October 18, 2017 at 4:35 pm

        Thanks Sandi!

        Reply
    6. Amanda

      October 18, 2017 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      I don't have an Instant Pot yet and this recipe is making me think that I really do need one! The texture of the meat looks fantastic and I love how quickly this meal comes together!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        October 18, 2017 at 4:35 pm

        Amanda - I think you would love an Instant Pot and use it tons!

        Reply
    7. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      October 21, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      I’m sure my entire family would enjoy this dish Karen! Looks like I’ll need to ask Santa for an InstantPot!

      Reply
    8. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

      October 22, 2017 at 10:45 am

      5 stars
      So don't kill me, but I've had an instant pot since last year and I have yet to really use it. I tried to use it once as a slow cooker and came back three hours later and the chicken was still raw. Lol. Not sure if I used it wrong, or if it's broken. But since then I shoved it in the back of a cabinet and haven't touched it. I guess I should bust it out and give it another go, huh?? Because this pork looks AMAZING! Love how easy it is!! Cheers, dear!

      Reply
    9. Sam Harbison

      October 28, 2017 at 10:59 am

      I'm excited to try this recipe! I have a bunch of pork in my deep freeze and I've been struggling to come up with ways to use it, so I think I will add this to the meal plan for the coming week :).

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        October 30, 2017 at 12:21 pm

        Hope you like it Sam!

        Reply
      • Lynne

        February 09, 2018 at 10:55 pm

        I want to try this tomorrow. I have a 3.5 pound pork loin. What size tenderloin was used for this recipe? How do I adjust for larger piece of meat? Do I double or triple sauce? How long should it cook? This looks so good. I don’t want to mess up. This will be my first time using the Instant Pot.

        Reply
        • Karen Kelly

          February 10, 2018 at 7:25 am

          Hey Lynne, I would say my tenderloin was about 1 1/2 pounds bc it was a tenderloin two pack. I usually go by the Instant Pot site and it suggests 20 minutes per pound although that sounds high to me. https://instantpot.com/instantpot-cooking-time/ You definitely have a larger piece of pork so I would say at least 50 minutes for a very tender meat that you can pull apart. Make sure you let it release naturally and double the sauce. I hope it works out. The Instant Pot does take some experimentation!

          Reply
    10. Rebecca

      December 21, 2017 at 6:52 pm

      Ten minutes into the meat cycle, my pot gave me a "burn" message. Has anyone else experienced this?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        December 28, 2017 at 8:46 pm

        Rebecca, so sorry I haven't had this happen so I'm not sure what is going on.

        Reply
        • Stephanie

          February 12, 2018 at 12:54 pm

          Should pork be placed on trivet to keep from getting burn display? Or did you just place it straight in bottom of pot?

          Reply
          • Karen Kelly

            February 13, 2018 at 7:33 pm

            I put mine right in the bottom of the pan and it was fine! Good luck!

            Reply
      • Danielle

        March 26, 2018 at 7:28 pm

        That happens to prevent the meat from burning. After you sauté anything you need to deglaze the pot. I use chicken broth on the sauté setting and a Wooden spoon to scrap any of the burnt spots on the bottom off the pan from browning the meat. It happened to me my very first time using my instant pot. It is just detecting something is burnt and stops cooking. It’s aceasy fix. 🙂

        Reply
        • Karen Kelly

          March 27, 2018 at 6:47 am

          Really? So you are saying it only happened the first time you used your Instant Pot? Wonder why it never happens for me or so many others. Does this only happen with a certain type of Instant Pot? I appreciate you popping in and telling us bc I was stumped!

          Reply
          • Lisa Atkinson

            October 03, 2018 at 10:14 am

            Happened to me when there wasn't enough liquid in the bottom of the pot. Turned it off, added a little water and it was fine.

            Reply
            • Elena

              January 05, 2020 at 3:57 pm

              I have an 8 qt IP and I have gotten this Burn message before. I am pretty sure every time it happened was because most recipes are for a 6 qt IPs and with the 8qt being wider there was just not enough liquid in a pot. So, what I started doing is adjusting all recipes to add a bit more of whatever liquid is being used. I haven't gotten the Burn message ever since.

            • Karen Kelly

              January 08, 2020 at 12:56 pm

              Thanks for the tips!

      • Deb

        June 20, 2019 at 8:51 pm

        It just means there wasn’t enough liquid. In the pot. If that happens again, tu4n pot off, vent until safe to open lid and add another 1/2 cup of liquid. Then just set it to meat for remainder of cooking time. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    11. Diane

      February 09, 2018 at 10:13 am

      Thanks so much for this delicious looking recipe I’m excited to try it. When cooking what pressure do you use low or high?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        February 10, 2018 at 7:26 am

        Thanks Diane, I used the high setting.

        Reply
    12. Candace

      February 26, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      I've seen some recipes like this, but I'm scared to try. I thought (and Instant Pot says) that you need at least 1 1/2 cups of liquid to pressure cook. Is this not so?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        February 27, 2018 at 9:39 am

        Hi Candace, I have seen that you need one cup but I didn't have any trouble with this recipe. If you want to double the water and soy sauce you can. I have heard that some Instant Pots show the burn notice more than others but that has never happened with mine. Good luck.

        Reply
    13. Courtney

      March 01, 2018 at 5:17 pm

      I have an 8 qt IP so I did double the sauce mix.
      It’s coming to Pressure now!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        March 01, 2018 at 5:54 pm

        Oh no, I'm nervous... let me know!

        Reply
    14. Daphne Gaff

      March 14, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      Hi! Can you make this without sautéing the pork first?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        March 15, 2018 at 12:39 pm

        Yes you can but it gives the pork more flavor when you saute.

        Reply
    15. Christine

      March 21, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      This was amazing. My entire family absolutely loved it. My son asked me to put it on the "make again" list.

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        March 22, 2018 at 6:36 am

        Great to hear! Thanks so much for letting me know. Kids can be picky so that's a huge win.

        Reply
    16. Jen

      March 26, 2018 at 4:56 pm

      I don't know how everyone is cooking this without getting a burn notice! I followed instructions, and even doubled the sauce recipe, so that there would be extra liquid, and I STILL got the dreaded burn. Any tips?

      Reply
      • Jen

        March 27, 2018 at 1:41 pm

        5 stars
        I think I figured out the answer to my own question 🙂 In reading some tips on the "burn notice", many recipes suggest adding any thickener AFTER the cooking has completed, as the cornstarch can cause the sauces to thicken too quickly. When making this recipe again (because I definitely will--my super picky 4 year old tried it and liked it, and my 2 year old loved it!) I'll add the cornstarch once cooking has been completed.

        Reply
    17. Rebecca G.

      March 29, 2018 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious!! This is an instant pot keeper recipe for sure!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        April 05, 2018 at 11:50 am

        Rebecca, thanks for coming back and letting me know!

        Reply
    18. Kerri

      April 03, 2018 at 2:21 pm

      Do you know how many pounds your pork loin was?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        April 05, 2018 at 11:48 am

        It was about 1 1/2 pounds Kerri.

        Reply
    19. Barbara

      April 16, 2018 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      This was flavorful and SOOOOOO tender!!! I am a convert for the combo of sauteing and pressure cooking. Thank you so much for this super recipe!!!!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        April 16, 2018 at 7:19 pm

        Awesome! So glad you loved it and I appreciate you coming back to rate my recipe!

        Reply
    20. Tina Cyr

      April 20, 2018 at 8:18 am

      How long does the natural pressure release usually take?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        April 22, 2018 at 7:52 am

        I'd say about 10 minutes.

        Reply
    21. Wayne Anstey

      April 22, 2018 at 9:21 am

      I’ve done another Pork Tenderloin recipe in which i’ve Sauted the meat and the cooked it in apple juice with sliced apples on Low Pressure for 3 minutes, NPR. The Tenderloin came out really tender and juicy. I would love to try yours as well, but cannot understand how it would not be over cooked at 35 minutes on High. Any thoughts on the difference?

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        April 24, 2018 at 12:30 pm

        Hi Wayne, I'm not sure but here's the Cooking Times for meat according to the Instant Pot site https://instantpot.com/instantpot-cooking-time/. Looks like 3 minutes in really short. Hope that helps.

        Reply
      • Sherri Myers

        November 14, 2018 at 7:53 pm

        4 stars
        Wayne, my thoughts exactly. I’m new to the IP so I followed the directions. The sauce was so tasty, but thought the tenderloin was over cooked. Perhaps a pork loin would be better since the nature of tenderloin asks for less cooking. I’ll probably do this again with consideration to whether I’m using a loin and follow the recipe or a tenderloin f ollowing your recommendation. Nonetheless the flavor was spot on.

        Reply
    22. Pam

      April 24, 2018 at 11:20 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing! Very easy, quick and I loved that I had everything I needed in the pantry. This will be a go to recipe at our house!

      Reply
    23. Brittany

      May 20, 2018 at 5:14 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I threw in some potatoes and bell peppers to go with the pork.. The sauce was so good, a nice balance of sweet and savory that tasted great on everything. Thanks for sharing this deliciously easy recipe!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 29, 2018 at 10:24 am

        Did you cook the potatoes in the pot with the pork? If so, do you put them under it or on top? I’m an IP newbie!

        Reply
    24. Crystal Q

      July 24, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      So glad I stumbled upon your recipe. I made it for dinner this evening and it was a success! I did not have fresh rosemary on hand so I used fresh thyme . It still came out amazing, although I can not wait to try it with Rosemary. Thank you so much from my family to yours!

      Reply
    25. Dee Hart

      September 21, 2018 at 7:57 pm

      5 stars
      Hi, I just tried this but I used my Power Pressure Xl. I have a 10 qt so I doubled the sauce mixture, and I added 2 med onions just quartered and about 7 fingering red potatoes. It’s in right now I will let you know how it turns out. I sautéed it first in the oil, like you said and followed all the same directions. I have adapted many recipes like this to my PPXl. Some day I hope to get an instapot but this was a birthday gift so I can’t complain! Lol! Can’t wait to try this thanks for your awesome recipe!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        September 24, 2018 at 2:29 pm

        Thanks for letting us know how you made yours in a Power Pressure. Please let us know how it turns out!

        Reply
    26. Ronna

      September 25, 2018 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      This was the first time I cooked a pork tenderloin that didn't already have the marinade. I search and found yours with the added bonus of using my Instant Pot!
      We will definitely make this one again, my family loved it.
      Thanks for sharing your recipe.

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        September 26, 2018 at 2:07 pm

        Thanks so much for letting me know how you liked it!

        Reply
    27. Kate

      October 24, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight and the entire family loved it! My three-year-old helped me whisk the ingredients, and the entire meal was ready in under an hour, but it tasted like it braised all day. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        October 25, 2018 at 6:11 am

        Kate, I am so glad your family loved it. I know from experience that getting everyone in the family to like the same meals is nearly impossible. Thanks for telling me!

        Reply
    28. Michael

      November 04, 2018 at 7:39 pm

      5 stars
      Great easy recipe. Was terrific and came out perfect.

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        November 05, 2018 at 6:19 pm

        Thanks so much for letting me know Michael!

        Reply
    29. Hannah

      December 02, 2018 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      I followed directions exactly as written and it turned out AMAZING. This will definitely be a regular meal in our house. So simple and really tasty.

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        December 05, 2018 at 5:20 am

        Thanks so much for letting me know how much you liked it!

        Reply
    30. Gina

      January 27, 2019 at 7:46 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight with two approx 1.5-2 lb pieces of pork sirloin tip roasts (2 of the 4 pack you get from Costco). I cut both in half and I doubled the sauce and the cook time. Since the rest of dinner wasn't ready, I just left it on off for an extra 20-30 min after the initial 20 min depressurization time. It was DELISH. The gravy was so good. Served with steamed carrots, mashed potatoes, and homemade rolls. Such a wonderful Sunday night dinner with family. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Karen Kelly

        January 28, 2019 at 6:53 am

        Thanks so much for your detailed review. I love hearing how folks tweak the recipe to make it their own. Interesting that you let it sit for an extra 20 minutes. Wow, homemade rolls too? Impressive!

        Reply
    31. Alyssa

      March 19, 2019 at 3:11 am

      5 stars
      Karen, it’s awesome! I cannot wait to try this. I bet it makes the house smell divine and tastes incredible!

      Reply
    32. Olga

      March 19, 2019 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      Karen, it looks perfect and tasty! Can’t wait to have this anytime of the day, love it!

      Reply

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    I'm Karen Kelly a food and travel writer, health coach and recipe creator. At Seasonal Cravings you will find quick, healthy recipes and the best travel tips!

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