Enjoy this delicious but simple Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Dinner any night of the week! With golden potatoes, a hint of thyme, and easy gravy, this pork tenderloin dinner will be a new family favorite.
Incredibly flavorful pork tenderloin and herbed potatoes in the Instant Pot.
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When it comes to cooking meals, you cannot go wrong with an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. These nifty devices can help you complete a meal faster than almost any other cooking method. For me, there's almost no meal that's more comforting than instant pot pork tenderloin.
I've always made it in a slow cooker with vegetables for an easy weeknight dinner, or as pulled pork for yummy sliders. (You might also like this Slow Cooker Pork and Apples Recipe).
Pork tenderloin is one of those meals my mom always makes, so it just feels like home. And this recipe tastes heavenly! Talk about a one-pot meal, this is about as easy as it gets, but it's a hearty meal that feels like Sunday Supper, even on a Monday night!
If you don't own an instant pot, you might enjoy this Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin recipe instead! And if you're looking for ideas on making this cut of meat more tender and flavorful, read our post on How to Cook Pork Tenderloin for tips and recipes.
Owning an instant pot has been one of the best investments for my kitchen. Serving supper got easier with recipes like this pork tenderloin instant pot recipe. I love how easy it is to create a delicious meal for my family in just minutes.
Pork tenderloin is high in protein and low in fat. For people who want to increase protein while lowering fat consumption, this recipe is the perfect option for you.
Ingredients
- pork tenderloin (I used 2 1lb pieces) - PLEASE NOTE - YOU MUST USE PORK TENDERLOIN FOR THIS RECIPE. If you use a pork loin roast, the cooking time will be off and the meat will not be cooked through.
- onion
- olive oil
- chicken stock
- packets of brown gravy or pork gravy
- golden potatoes
- fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper
Equipment
Here are a few items you may need for creating this recipe:
- Instant Pot
- Serving dishes and utensils
- Dish to place the instant pot pork tenderloin dinner in after cooked
- Instant Pot inner pot
- Instant Pot Sealing Ring
When a food option is considered rich in nutrients, it must contain at least 20% of the recommended daily allowance. I highly recommend pork tenderloin as a good meat choice for family meals because it has 22 grams of protein per 3-oz serving, an excellent source for Vitamin B-12 which is not found in plant-based foods, and 2 milligrams of zinc per 3oz serving.
When selecting the perfect piece of meat for this meal, be sure to pick a tenderloin of meat that isn't pre-seasoned as that will increase the sodium content significantly.
You can season your pressure cooker pork tenderloin with the tips I have within my step-by-step recipe below. So what are you waiting for? Is it about time for supper yet? Gather up the ingredients and follow my step-by-step instructions to create a scrumptious meal for your family this evening.
What herbs go well with pork tenderloin?
There are quite a few herbs that go well with pork loin. I opted to go with thyme because I think it's a great mix for this instant pot pork loin recipe. The best herbs to select from when making your own pork loin recipe is dill, garlic, rosemary, sage, fennel, cumin or curry powder.
If you're making this recipe in the fall, it's great to mix some cloves and apples with pork loin for that seasonal flavor. When you want a little kick, choose cumin or Chile powder to go with your pork tenderloin.
What should I serve this with?
These are some of my favorite easy side dish recipes:
Related: Best Pork Tenderloin Side Dishes
Instructions
- On your instant pot, set the sauté setting to high, then add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When the oil is hot, add ⅔ cup finely chopped onions. Season with salt and pepper and fresh thyme to taste.
- Cover with the standard pot lid and allow the onions to cook until translucent, stirring occasionally. Cook a little longer until the onions are golden brown, then add the 2-½ cups of chicken stock.
- Next, cut 10-12 golden potatoes in half and place them into the stock in one layer. Place the 2lbs of pork tenderloin on top and season with additional salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Then, twist on the locking lid and set the steam valve to sealing and then cancel the sauté setting. Select manual mode for 8 minutes of high pressure.
- When the Instant Pot beeps, carefully lay a clean cloth over the top of the lid and then release the pressure from the pot manually.
- Select Cancel to end the cooking time. Remove the meat and potatoes and let rest for a few minutes while you make the quick gravy according to the directions on the package.
- Choose the sauté setting on high. Pour the two packets of gravy mix into the cooking liquid still in the pot. Whisk until smooth and cook until the mixture thickens. Be sure turn off the instant pot.
- Finally, arrange the potatoes and pork on a platter and pour the gravy over the top. Season with fresh thyme, if desired.
How long do I cook the pork tenderloin?
The National Pork Board recommends cooking chops, roasts, loins, and tenderloin to an internal temperature of 145° F, followed by a three-minute rest. It's a good practice to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. In the Instant Pot, this will cook at high pressure on manual mode for 8 minutes.
Tips & Tricks for Using Your Instant Pot
- Use saute button for an option to cook something just as you would in a skillet or pan on the stovetop.
- Use ½ cup of liquid in the inner pot when pressure cooking to pressurize the unit.
- You can use the adjust button to make the preset options hotter or cooler in your instant pot.
- When opting to use the manual instant pot button plan to cook your instant pot pork tenderloin meal 10-15 minutes longer.
- Make sure the pressure valve on your instant pot is set to "sealing" when pressure cooking so it can reach appropriate pressure.
- DO NOT open the instant pot when it's set in manual or pressure mode after 10 seconds or you'll get a face full of steam.
- DO NOT forget to purchase a secondary Instant Pot Inner Cooking and sealing ring for your instant pot.
Recipe Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our instant pot pork tenderloin recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:
- Instead of Yukon gold potatoes, use sweet potatoes.
- Replace the carrots with parsnips or turnips.
- Add a little bit of garlic powder or fresh minced garlic to the gravy.
More Instant Pot Recipes:
- Instant Pot Meatloaf
- Chicken and Rice Instant Pot Recipe
- Instant Pot Barbecue Pork Ribs
- Orange Chicken Instant Pot Recipe
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Soup
More Pork Recipes:
I have a ton of pork tenderloin recipes here on the site because it's one of our favorite proteins. Here are a few other pork recipes I think you'll love:
- Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apples and Onions
- Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes
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Easy Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Dinner
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs natural pork tenderloin I used 2 1lb pieces
- ⅔ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2-½ cups chicken stock
- 2 packets of brown gravy
- 10-12 golden potatoes peeled
- fresh thyme
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- On your instant pot, set the sauté setting to high, then add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onions. Season with salt and pepper and fresh thyme.
- Cover with the standard pot lid and allow the onions to cook until translucent, stirring occasionally. Cook a little longer until the onions are golden brown, then add the chicken stock.
- Cut the potatoes in half and place them into the stock in one layer. Place the pork tenderloins on top and season with additional salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Twist on the locking lid and set the steam valve to sealing and then cancel the sauté setting. Select manual mode for 8 minutes of high pressure.
- When the Instant Pot beeps, carefully lay a clean cloth over the top of the lid and then release the pressure from the pot manually.
- Select Cancel to end the cooking time. Remove the meat and potatoes and let rest for a few minutes while you make the quick gravy.
- Choose the sauté setting on high. Pour the two packets of gravy mix into the cooking liquid still in the pot. Whisk until smooth and cook until the mixture thickens. Be sure turn off the instant pot.
- Arrange the potatoes and pork on a platter and pour the gravy over the top. Season with fresh thyme, if desired.
Notes
This recipe is SO delicious that it made our Most Popular Recipes List!
Meal Planning
Want to add this recipe to your meal plan? Download our free printable meal plan here.
This recipe is included in Meal Plan 38 along with:
- buffalo chicken mac and cheese
- shepherds pie
- sweet and spicy chili
- bacon cheddar scones
- crockpot teriyaki chicken
... and more!
Be sure to check out all our meal plan ideas here.
Cheryl S says
Did you slice or quarter the potatoes, or put them in whole? I'm making this tonight, it looks delicious!
Ang Paris says
Great question, I'll update the recipe but I peeled and halved the potatoes. 🙂
Tausha says
We used this recipe tonight and the pork was still raw on the inside - went in thawed out...any idea why this happened? This was our first IP usage...
Ang Paris says
Oh, Tausha! That's not good! I would check to make sure that the instant pot is totally sealed so that it is able to pressurize and cook the pork through. If the equipment was all working properly then the issue might have been the size/thickness of the pork tenderloin. Larger pieces will need more cook time. I hope this helps!
donna presley says
I made this last night and my whole family loved it. Quartered the potatoes plus added 4 more ( I have a big family). I also doubled the pork tenderloin and only added 2 extra minutes to the cooking time. It came out fantastic. Thank you!
Carol says
I used pork tenderloin as the recipe stated and it came out perfect. I didn't have thyme so I used some Italian seasoning instead. I also added some carrots.
Michele Ryan says
I have made this several times since purchasing my IP in April 2018. It never disapppoints and is delicious. The only thing I do different is I use Pioneer Pork Gravy mix and it is delicious.
Ang Paris says
Thank you for your kind comment, Michele! We love hearing when our readers make and enjoy our recipes! 🙂
Melody Walsh says
I have a one (1) lb. tenderloin, would you half the ingredients and/or cooking time?
Ang Paris says
Hi Melody!
Half the ingredients for sure.
As for cooking time, you may have to play around with the amount of time. I haven't tested with only 1lb.
Ang Paris says
We haven't tested it with frozen pork. I'd recommend thawing it first for this recipe 🙂
Debbie says
Ang, Thank you for posting this recipe! It is delicious and so easy! I seasoned the tenderloin with salt, pepper, thyme and garlic powder and browned it a little. I removed the tenderloin and then sauteed the onion before putting everything back in the Instant Pot. Everything was delicious - the potatoes were perfect! This is the first time I've tried tenderloin in my Instant Pot and your recipe was perfection! It's definitely a new "go to" for me!
Ang Paris says
I'm SO glad you enjoyed this recipe, Debbie! Thanks for taking the time to leave me a sweet comment 🙂
Pam says
I too used your recipe for the first time ever using a pressure cooker. I don't have an instant pot I have the Crockpot Insta pot. I was very nervous. 😊 My pork tenderloin was not cooked in the middle. I put it back on to cook and pushed the meat stew setting then lowered the time it had already cooked (8 mins). I see pic of your pork tenderloin it is really skinny. Mine was about twice as big. So we shall see how it comes out. Smells great. Think my potatoes will be mush. Lol. Hubby says we will just mix them into the gravy.
Ang Paris says
I've never used the Crockpot Insta Pot. It sounds like you might be using a piece of pork loin instead of tenderloin. Pork loin is much thicker and needs a lot more time to cook.
Marianne says
I want to try this recipe. I’m wondering if I can add carrots to it? If so, would I add them to the pot with the potatoes and tenderloin and cook them the same about of time or would they turn out mushy?
Ang Paris says
You can add carrots but they'll cook faster than the potatoes. I'd leave them in larger pieces, then cut them up after they're cooked.
Robin says
H!! I am looking for a instant pot recipe that asks for pork tenderloin and potatoes. Found this one! Wonder if russet potatoes would work. How much? Cut in big chunks? Same amount of cooking time? Thanks!
Ang Paris says
Hi Robin! You can use Russets, just cut them into pieces like we've shown here and you can cook it for the same amount of time 🙂
Rob says
The first time I made this with pork LOIN instead of tenderloin and it came out raw. My bad. I tried it again with pork TENDERLOIN and it was perfect.
Thank you for the awesome recipe.
Ang Paris says
Hi Rob, this recipe is definitely written for tenderloin, which I'm sure you know is a smaller piece of meat than pork loin.
Thanks so much for your kind note!
Sue says
I am trying this today! No trivet is mentioned. Also- most meats are natural release. This recipe says quick release. Just wondering.
Thank you!
Ang Paris says
Hi Sue!
No trivet is needed for this, and you do use quick release 🙂
Thanks for stopping by today!
Sue says
Excellent! This was so good! It’s my new go-to when cooking for family or company.
Kelly says
How much thyme do you usually use with the potatoes and on the tenderloin?
Ang Paris says
I find that this depends on your taste... I use about a teaspoon total of dried herbs, but if you have fresh, you can use more. Enjoy!
Lori Ann says
I’m still learning the ins and out of an IP. This recipe was a huge help! Thank you so much for posting. Ours turned out perfect. God bless!
Ang Paris says
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Vicki says
I used pork tenderloin which cooked well. I think a thicker piece needs the time adjusted. I halved the potatoes and they were perfect! I did not use the gravy. We had apple sauce on the side. Thanks for this recipe!!
Ang Paris says
So glad you enjoyed it!