How to cook pork loin in the instant pot

Last updated on September 22, 2022

This Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin is tender, juicy and so flavorful! A sweet and savory honey garlic sauce makes this easy pork tenderloin recipe something special.

Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite proteins because it cooks up deliciously tender and juicy. Since pork tenderloin is also one of the leanest cuts of meat, it’s a great protein option for healthy meals.

My favorite baked pork tenderloin recipe is a staple meal in our house, and this saucy Instant Pot pork tenderloin is another regular in our meal rotation.

Pressure cooking the pork keeps it irresistibly moist. The pork is tender and flavorful on its own, but smothered in the sweet and savory garlicky sauce it’s absolutely scrumptious!

The sauce is made with just five simple ingredients. It’s the perfect blend of flavors and so addictive! It’s also so delicious drizzled over mashed potatoes or rice.

If you’re like me and love honey garlic sauce, you’ll also enjoy my family’s favorite  Honey Garlic Instant Pot Pork Chops. And don’t miss out on one of the all-time best Instant Pot pork recipes: Instant Pot Pulled Pork.

Pork tenderloin cooks quickly, especially when you cook it in a pressure cooker. This easy Instant Pot pork tenderloin recipe is ready in 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for a weeknight meal. It’s also special enough to serve for Sunday dinner, especially if you add in comforting sides like mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

Pork Tenderloin vs. Pork Loin Roast

Be sure to use a pork tenderloin in this recipe. A pork tenderloin is a long, round and thin cut of pork that is boneless, lean and tender.

A pork loin (which is also sometimes called pork loin roast or pork roast) is larger and wider than a pork tenderloin and would require additional cook time. Pork loin does not turn out as tender as pork tenderloin.

How to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Instant Pot

This honey garlic pork tenderloin is so easy to make in your Instant Pot. Here is an overview of the recipe steps. You can find the full recipe at the end of this post.

If you are new to Instant Pot cooking, read my Instant Pot manual to learn how to use your Instant Pot.

1. Cut the pork tenderloin in half width-wise so that you have two shorter pieces that will easily fit in the Instant Pot. 
2. Season the pork with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using the sauté function. 
4. Sear the pork, about 2-3 minutes per side, until browned. This step adds flavor to the finished dish. Transfer pork to a clean plate and turn off the pot.
   
5. Deglaze the pot by pouring in 1/2 cup of water and scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This step is important for preventing the burn message.
6. Add the remaining sauce ingredients to the pot: soy sauce, honey, garlic and fresh ginger. Put the pork into the bottom of the Instant Pot with the sauce.
   
7. Close the lid, turn the valve to the sealing position, and pressure cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
8. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
9. Remove the pork from the pot and let it rest on a clean cutting board.
10. Thicken the sauce by stirring a mixture of cornstarch and water into the sauce in the pot. Then cook on sauté for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
11. Slice the pork tenderloin and serve it with the honey garlic sauce.

How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin in the Instant Pot

Pork tenderloin cooks quickly and requires just 4 minutes of pressure cooking at high pressure to cook through. The pork will start to cook when you brown it using the sauté function, so if you decide to skip the browning step you may want to add an extra minute or two of pressure cooking time.

After pressure cooking, the best way to tell if the pork is done is to check the internal temperature using an instant read thermometer. The USDA recommends that you cook pork tenderloin to an internal temperature of at least 145° F and then allow the pork to rest for at least 3 minutes before serving. At this temperature, the pork may be a little pink in the middle. If, like me, you prefer your pork a little more done, 155° F is a good temperature to aim for.

If your pork is not cooked through after pressure cooking, you can finish cooking it by leaving it in the Instant Pot and turning on the sauté function until the pork reaches 145° F.

Can you use Frozen Pork Tenderloin?

You can use a frozen pork tenderloin in this recipe. You will skip the browning step because frozen meat will not sear well. Put the frozen pork tenderloin and sauce ingredients in the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high pressure for 13 minutes and then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.

Alternatively, you can partially thaw the pork tenderloin by placing it in cool water (keep it in its packaging or put it in a zip-top bag) for 10-15 minutes. Once the outside of the pork is thawed you can brown it on sauté in the Instant Pot. Then pressure cook for about 10 minutes on high pressure, followed by a 10 minute natural release. The exact cook time will depend on how frozen the pork is.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Brown Rice or Instant Pot Rice
• Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
• Roasted Carrots
• Roasted Green Beans or Instant Pot Green Beans

Recipe Tips

• If you don’t have fresh ginger you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger.
• You can cook more than one pork tenderloin at a time using this recipe. Just make sure that each tenderloin is about 1 pound and that the pork tenderloins are separate and not stuck together when you cook them. Be sure to double the sauce ingredients if you like a lot of sauce.
• If you’re wondering if this recipe has enough liquid, yes, it does. The 1/2 cup water plus other sauce ingredients makes enough liquid for the pot to pressurize. The pork will also release some juices as it cooks.
• Do not skip the 10 minute natural release time in this recipe. The pork will continue to cook during the natural release. A natural release also makes the meat more tender.

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
• Instant Pot Spaghetti
• Instant Pot Pot Roast

Honey Garlic Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword honey garlic sauce, instant pot frozen pork tenderloin, instant pot pork tenderloin, pork tenderloin recipes, pressure cooker pork tenderloin

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time4 mins

Natural Release10 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings 4 servings

Calories 297kcal

Quick and easy Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Honey Garlic Sauce. This Instant Pot pork tenderloin turns out perfectly tender and has so much flavor!

• ▢ 1 pound pork tenderloin
• ▢ salt and pepper
• ▢ 2 teaspoons olive oil
• ▢ ½ cup water
• ▢ ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
• ▢ ¼ cup honey
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• ▢ 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ▢ 1 tablespoon water

• Cut the pork tenderloin in half so that you have two shorter pieces that will easily fit in the Instant Pot. (If using an 8 quart Instant Pot this may not be necessary.)

• Season all sides of the pork tenderloin with salt and pepper.

• Heat the olive oil in the Instant Pot on sauté mode. Place the pork in the pot and brown 2-3 minutes per side. Remove pork to a clean plate and turn off the Instant Pot.

• Pour in the ½ cup water and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot.

• Add the soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger to the Instant Pot. Place the pork back in the Instant Pot.

• Close the lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position.

• Cook at high pressure on the Manual/Pressure Cook setting for 4 minutes. When the cook time ends allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes by leaving the Instant Pot alone. (Do not skip the 10 minute natural release, as the pork will continue to cook during this time.) Then carefully turn the steam release valve to the venting position to release any remaining steam and pressure (there may be none). Make sure that the float valve has dropped down and open the Instant Pot lid.

• Check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the pork has reached at least 145 degrees F. If not, you can cook the pork for a few more minutes using the sauté function.

• Remove the pork to a clean plate or cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes.

• In a small bowl, stir together the 2 teaspoons cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Stir the mixture into the sauce in the Instant Pot. Cook on sauté mode, stirring, until the sauce has thickened, 2-3 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot and remove the inner pot to stop the cooking process.

• Slice the pork and serve with the sauce.

• To cook from frozen, place a frozen pork tenderloin and the sauce ingredients in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high pressure for 13 minutes plus 10 minutes natural pressure release. Skip the browning step in the recipe. Then follow the directions in the recipe to thicken the sauce.
• If you don't have fresh ginger you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger.
• You can cook more than one pork tenderloin at a time using this recipe. Just make sure that each tenderloin is about 1 pound and that the pork tenderloins are separate and not stuck together when you cook them. Be sure to double the sauce ingredients if you like a lot of sauce.

Serving: 1/4 recipe | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 649mg | Sugar: 18g

Nutrition information is an estimate.

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