This Pineapple Pork Tenderloin recipe is a delicious combination of sweet and savory, featuring tender pork cooked in a golden pineapple glaze. Perfect for impressing guests or a festive family dinner, its tropical flavors transport you to paradise with every bite.
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If you're looking for a dish that's both easy and satisfyingly gourmet, this Pineapple Pork Tenderloin has got you covered.
The tenderloin is marinated in a homemade pineapple glaze that's both sweet and slightly tangy, giving every bite a yummy balance of flavors.
It's the kind of meal that feels special without having to spend hours in the kitchen cooking.
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What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Flavorful and Juicy: The pork tenderloin stays moist and tender, absorbing the sweet and tangy flavors of the pineapple glaze.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Its elegant presentation and delightful taste make it a hit for dinner parties.
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and common ingredients mean anyone can create this delicious meal.
- Adaptable: The recipe can be tweaked with different fruits or spices to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Pork Tenderloin: Look for a fresh, pink-colored, lean pork tenderloin with little fat. Trimming any excess fat and silver skin will ensure a tender, flavorful dish.
Pineapple Juice: Use 100% pure pineapple juice for the best flavor. It adds a tropical sweetness that complements the pork.
Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness that helps create a caramelized glaze.
Honey: Local honey is preferred for its fresh and robust flavor, which enhances the glaze's sweetness and consistency.
Yellow Mustard: Provides a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Cinnamon Sticks and Cloves: These spices add a warm, aromatic depth to the glaze.
Fresh Ground Nutmeg: Just a pinch brings a nutty, sweet spice to the mix.
Pineapple Slices: Canned pineapple slices work well, providing a fruity acidity and texture to the dish. Fresh pineapple slices will work too.
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 375° F. This ensures your oven is ready and at the right temperature when you need to start cooking.
In a medium saucepan, mix the pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, mustard, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg.
Heat until it reaches a heavy simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low and let it thicken for about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Prepare the tenderloin by placing it in a 9” x 13” baking dish. Make evenly spaced incisions along the tenderloin, about ¾-inch apart, ensuring not to cut all the way through.
Generously brush half of the glaze over the tenderloin, working it into the incisions to infuse the flavor deeply.
Cut the pineapple slices in half and tuck them into the incisions. This will add moisture and flavor inside the tenderloin.
Roast the tenderloin until its internal temperature reaches 145° F, which should take around 25-30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness accurately.
After removing the tenderloin, increase the oven temperature to 400° F. Brush the tenderloin with the remaining glaze, paying special attention to the pineapple.
Return the tenderloin to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a caramelized exterior.
Let the tenderloin rest for 10 minutes after baking. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat is moist and flavorful when sliced.
Serve and savor the succulent flavors of your Pineapple Pork Tenderloin!
When serving your pineapple pork tenderloin, you can drizzle some of the leftover glaze, along with the pineapple slices, onto the plate with the pork loin. It creates a yummy sauce.
Top Tip
The key to a perfect Pineapple Pork Tenderloin is to let it rest after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring it remains moist and flavorful when cut.
Substitutions
- If pineapple juice is not available, mango or orange juice can provide a similar fruity sweetness.
- In place of honey, maple syrup or agave nectar can be used for a different type of sweetness.
- Dijon mustard can replace yellow mustard for a sharper, more pronounced flavor.
Variations
- Spicy Pineapple Pork Tenderloin: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the glaze for a spicy kick.
- Herb-Infused Tenderloin: Include rosemary or thyme in the glaze for an aromatic twist.
- Barbecue Pineapple Pork: Mix some barbecue sauce into the glaze for a smoky, tangy flavor.
Storage Instructions
Have leftover pork tenderloin to store? Here are our storage tips.
Fridge Storing Option: Store leftover tenderloin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer Storing Option: Wrap the cooked tenderloin tightly in foil or freezer-safe wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Warm the tenderloin in a 350° F oven, covered, until heated through. If it's frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Recipe
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Pineapple Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork tenderloin trimmed
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 cloves
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- 1 can pineapple slices 8 ounces, drained
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, mustard, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ground nutmeg. Bring to a heavy simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the glaze to simmer until thickened, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Place the tenderloin in a 9” x 13” baking dish. Make incisions ¾-inch apart, taking care not to cut through the bottom, leaving ½-inch space under the tenderloin.
- Brush one-half of the glaze all over the tenderloin and inside each incision.
- Slice the pineapple slices in half and place into the incisions.
- Bake until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145° F, approximately 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and increase the heat to 400° F.
- Brush the remaining glaze all over the tenderloin and the pineapple slices and return the tenderloin into the oven to bake for another 10 minutes or until slightly caramelized.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
FAQs
Yes, while pork tenderloin is ideal for its tenderness and quick cooking time, you can use pork loin or shoulder, but adjust the cooking time accordingly, as these cuts are thicker and take longer to cook.
Absolutely! The pineapple glaze can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before using to ensure it’s pourable.
he pork is cooked when its internal temperature reaches 145° F. Always use a meat thermometer to check the temperature to ensure it’s perfectly cooked.
dd chili flakes or a bit of hot sauce to the glaze for a spicy twist.
Is it possible to grill the pork tenderloin instead of baking it?
Yes, you can grill the tenderloin over medium heat. Glaze it towards the end of grilling to prevent the sugar in the glaze from burning.
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