Servings
Font
Back
Frozen Pork Tenderloin in the Instant Pot
5 from 105 votes

Frozen Pork Tenderloin in the Instant Pot

This Frozen Pork Tenderloin in the Instant Pot recipe cooks frozen or fresh tenderloin to juicy, flavorful perfection using pressure cooking with chicken broth and bay leaves. The pork is cooked on a trivet, then finished with a garlic-ginger soy-honey sauce thickened in the pot. This method delivers tender, well-glazed meat with minimal hands-on time.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 170 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, American

Ingredients

  • 1 - 2 lbs pork tenderloin
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water
  • 3 bay leaf
Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger root minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Pressure Cook Pork Tenderloin:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add 2 cups of chicken broth and bay leaves to the pressure cooker pot.
  2. Place the trivet with handles on top and place the frozen tenderloin directly on it. If it doesn't fit, cut it in half.
  3. Close the lid and ensure the valve points to 'sealed'.
  4. Press the Pressure Cook button and set the timer for 15 minutes for frozen pork tenderloin and 3 minutes for fresh or thawed tenderloin. This will be followed by a 10-minute Natural Pressure Release.
  5. After the 10 minutes of NPR, manually release the remaining pressure.
  6. Open the lid and carefully lift the trivet with the pork tenderloin on it. Remove and discard any excess fat, then place the tenderloin in a baking pan covered with foil.
Make the sauce:
  1. Clean the pressure cooker pot, and then select "Sauté".
  2. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
  3. Once the IP reads HOT, add the sauce mixture. Stir and cook for a few minutes, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Broil:
  1. Brush the pork tenderloin with half of the sauce, topping it and the sides. Set the other half of the sauce aside.
  2. Broil the pork tenderloin for a few minutes, or until it is golden brown. Once it's done, baste it once with the sauce that has dripped into the pan.
Slice and serve:
  1. Let the pork tenderloin rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  2. Using a sharp knife, slice the pork tenderloin and serve drizzled with the remaining sauce.
  3. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Remove pork from pot before checking internal temperature to avoid heat inaccuracies.
  • Maintain at least 1 cup liquid in the Instant Pot to ensure proper pressure cooking.
  • If your Instant Pot lacks a sauté function, thicken the sauce in a separate pan before adding it back to the meat.
  • Do not skip the 10-minute natural pressure release to keep the tenderloin juicy.
  • Reserve about half the sauce for serving; double the sauce ingredients if more is desired.
  • For a crispy finish, broil the cooked pork tenderloin a few minutes before serving.
  • Allow pork to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to let juices settle.

Nutrition Information

Calories 170kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 39g (13%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 0g (0%) Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 1245mg (52%) Potassium 146mg (3%) Fiber 0g (0%) Sugar 35g (70%) Vitamin A 35IU (1%) Vitamin C 8.4mg (9%) Calcium 13mg (1%) Iron 0.8mg (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 170

% Daily Value*

Calories 170kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1245mg 52%
Potassium 146mg 3%
Fiber 0g 0%
Sugar 35g 70%
Vitamin A 35IU 1%
Vitamin C 8.4mg 9%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 0.8mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.