Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes

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Follow these easy steps for making Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes that is tender, juicy, and flavorful, all in under 30 minutes.

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe

I have zero hesitation in telling you that pork tenderloin is the bomb!

It is my favorite cut on the entire pig and you cannot go wrong with pork tenderloin.

I love it so much that I’ve got several pork tenderloin recipes for you.

Cranberry pork tenderloin is easy and fast to make in a skillet. If you need a delicious one-pan meal that includes lots of bacon, try roast pork tenderloin with potatoes skillet.

If you’re looking for a pork tenderloin that’s a little bit on the fancy side, check out cherry-pecan pork tenderloin medallions. This recipe couldn’t be easier, yet looks elegant for your guests.

What to love

1. I love that this is a complete Instant Pot meal – meat, potatoes, and a vegetable, with gravy. Sweet!
   
2. This Instant Pot pork tenderloin meal is fast. You can have the entire dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
   
3. Pork tenderloin is incredibly tender, easy to cook, and doesn’t hurt the pocketbook. You can eat the entire piece of meat because no bones are involved.

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe Ingredients

• Pork tenderloins: This recipe calls for 2 pork tenderloins, typically in one package when purchased from the meat case at your local grocery store. If you only have one pork tenderloin, you can still make this recipe as it directs.
  
• Mustard: I used spicy brown mustard, but use what you have on hand – regular prepared mustard, Dijon, jalapeno, whatever.
  
• Baby carrots: If you only have regular carrots, just cut them into 1-inch chunks for this recipe.
  
• Red potatoes: Cut the potatoes into one 1/2-inch chunks, leaving the skin on.
  
• Dry gravy mix: I used pork gravy mix packets, but you can use any dry gravy mix you have on hand.

Pork Tenderloin Recipe Tips

• Leave the skins on the potatoes when you cook them. This keeps the potatoes intact as you cook them under pressure in the Instant Pot.

• Take the extra time required to sear the pork tenderloins before cooking them in the Instant Pot. This adds loads of extra flavor from the caramelization.

• To add more flavor to the pork tenderloins, season them with a steak seasoning blend once you’ve applied the mustard. I use Montreal Steak Seasoning.

How to cook pork tenderloin in an Instant Pot

30 minutes before you’re ready to cook your pork tenderloin, remove it from refrigeration and unpackaged.

You will find two pork tenderloins inside the package though you can’t really tell that until you open it. Typically there are two one-pound pork tenderloins in each package.

Using a basting brush, slather both pork tenderloins with the mustard on all sides.

Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Using the sauté setting on the Instant Pot, add a good drizzle of olive oil to the pot.

When the oil is nicely hot, add the seasoned pork tenderloins, working one at a time, browning each one on all sides in the hot oil.

Remove to a platter and reserve. Remove any fats that remain in the Instant Pot.

Still using the sauté setting, deglaze the pot by adding 1 cup of water.

I use a spatula to loosen any browned bits attached to the bottom of the pot.

Add the carrots and potatoes to the pot, then place the reserved pork tenderloins on top.

Lock the Instant Pot lid into place, turning the valve to the sealing position.

Choose the high-pressure setting, then set the timer for 10 minutes, bringing the Instant Pot to full pressure.

When the timer sounds, perform a natural release for 10 minutes.

At the end of that time, if any pressure remains in the Instant Pot, turn the valve and perform a quick release.

Remove the pork tenderloins, potatoes, and carrots to a platter; keep warm.

Add 1 cup of water to the liquid in the Instant Pot. Whisk in the contents of both gravy packets.

Using the sauté setting, bring the gravy to a simmer, cooking just until thickened, whisking until smooth.

Slice the pork tenderloins into medallions. Serve with gravy, along with the potatoes and carrots on the side.

How long to cook pork tenderloin in an Instant Pot

This recipe instructs to cook the pork tenderloin for 8 minutes with a 10-minute natural pressure release.

Keep in mind that you are not only cooking 2 pork tenderloins but also potatoes and carrots.

If you want tender, juicy, and flavorful pork, do not cook it past 140-145 degrees (internal temperature), followed by a 3-minute rest.

Iif you follow this rule, you will be shocked at how delicious any cut of pork will be.

Can you cook frozen pork tenderloin in an Instant Pot?

Because pork tenderloin is elongated in shape, it typically will not fit into a standard (6 quart) Instant Pot while still frozen.

When pork tenderloin is fully thawed, you can curve it slightly to fit the interior of the pot while searing it and pressure cooking it.

However, there are many other meats you absolutely CAN cook from frozen in an Instant Pot to help get dinner on the table more quickly.

Why is my pork tenderloin tough in an Instant Pot?

Any time you encounter a tough pork tenderloin you can bet it is because it is overcooked.

Pork tenderloin is best cooked until it reaches 140-145 degrees F. internal temperature, followed by a 3-minute.

If you cook pork like this consistently, you will have perfect medium-rare pork that is tender, juicy, and delicious every single time.

Can you cook pork tenderloin too long in an Instant Pot?

Yes. Cooking pork longer than it needs only makes it tough and chewy, not to mention an ugly gray color that is not appetizing.

Does pork tenderloin get softer the longer it cooks?

The longer pork tenderloin cooks, the tougher and chewier it will become, just as any lean meat does.

Do you have to sear pork tenderloin before you cooking it in an Instant Pot?

You don’t HAVE to, but it sure does add a lot of extra flavor.

And since you can use the sauté setting on the Instant Pot to sear the pork tenderloin before you pressure cook it, it is very easy.

When you sear pork tenderloin (or any meat), you create loads of extra flavor because you caramelize the pork’s exterior in a bit of hot oil. This is a worthy step!

How long do you cook pork tenderloin so it’s not tough?

This recipe instructs you to cook the pork tenderloin for 8 minutes because you also cook potatoes and carrots in the same pot.

If you want to cook pork tenderloin by itself in the Instant Pot, you will cook it for a much shorter length of time.

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