The holiday season is right around the corner, and if you’re wondering what to serve for a delicious and wholesome meal the whole family will love, you’ve come to the perfect spot! Pork tenderloin is one of the most mouthwatering protein choices—especially when you opt for lean, all-natural pork tenderloin from Coleman Natural.
If your taste buds are tingling with anticipation, let’s not keep you waiting. Here are five finger-licking pork tenderloin recipes to bring a festive spirit to your holiday table!
Why Pork Tenderloin Is Ideal for Your Holiday Feast
So…why pork tenderloin when there are boundless proteins to consider like the traditional holiday ham or turkey? Well, this cut is particularly tender and juicy, and it’s also incredibly versatile. Whether you prepare it on the grill or slow-roast to perfection, it’ll always retain an enormous amount of succulent flavor.
Plus, you can pair it with virtually any side dish, sauce, or seasonings, from garlic mashed potatoes and golden caramelized figs, to sweet cider reductions and tangy mustard glazes. Even though it’s basically a foolproof, easy-to-assemble protein, it still remains a festive indulgence that’s a tried-and-true family favorite.
5 Best Pork Tenderloin Recipes for the Holidays
Now that you know why pork tenderloin is a centerpiece contender this holiday season, let’s delve into some drool-worthy recipes.
1. Pork Tenderloin With Wild Rice Stuffing
If you have around 15 minutes of prep time to spare this Thanksgiving or Christmas, look no further than this tender Pork Tenderloin With Wild Rice Stuffing recipe, designed to feed eight hungry mouths.
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a sheet pan with foil. Next, sauté fresh shallots, mushrooms, and sage in butter, creating a mouthwatering stuffing that includes pecans, cranberries, wild rice, and orange zest.
Butterfly and flatten your pork tenderloins, then roll them into cylinders, tying them with twine for an elegant presentation. Roast for 10 minutes, basting with a zesty blend of orange juice and olive oil, then continue roasting until the meat thermometer reads a perfect 140°F. Let the flavors meld during a brief rest, then slice the tenderloins into inch-wide circular pieces and serve with the leftover juices. Bon appetit!
2. Bacon Wrapped Peppercorn Pork Tenderloin Medallions
Nothing says ‘holiday season’ more than a decadent cut of meat wrapped in sizzling bacon. Enter Bacon Wrapped Peppercorn Pork Tenderloin Medallions—the ultimate ‘savory’ holiday treat.
To serve, preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare the pork tenderloins by tucking the smaller end underneath and cutting them into six medallions. Then, generously season the medallions with crushed peppercorns and salt and wrap each with bacon slices, securing with twine.
Brown the medallions in a skillet until golden brown, transfer them to a baking sheet, and roast for 8-10 minutes at 400°F. Meanwhile, in the skillet, sauté shallots and rosemary, add red wine, simmer, incorporate chicken broth, and whisk in creamy butter to create a velvety sauce. Enjoy with your favorite greens, like Brussels sprouts or peppery arugula salad!
3. Paleo Friendly Hasselback Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Walnuts
What’s not to love about the sweet combo of crisp apples, chopped nuts, and smooth maple syrup, ladled on top of pork? This paleo-friendly recipe only takes 10 minutes to prepare, but it looks like an all-day masterpiece.
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Give your pork tenderloin a flavorful twist by generously brushing it with honey Dijon mustard. Create cuts along the tenderloin, allowing just enough space for stuffing. Fill each incision with apple slices, followed by a generous sprinkle of chopped walnuts and aromatic sage. Drizzle the tenderloin with maple syrup and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until it reaches a perfect 145 degrees inside.
4. 20 Cloves of Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Calling all garlic lovers! If you have a sizable amount of garlic cloves on hand, coupled with white wine, sage, and of course, the star of the show—pork tenderloin—you can easily serve this dish in under an hour!
To get started, preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare the pork tenderloin by rubbing it with olive oil and seasoning it with salt and pepper. In a hot skillet, brown the tenderloin on all sides, then remove it from heat. In the same skillet, add garlic cloves, water, and sage, and transfer it to the preheated oven. Once cooked for about 30 minutes, place the tenderloin on a warm serving platter.
Return the skillet to the stove, setting the burner to high heat, and deglaze the skillet with one cup of white wine. Cook until the wine and any pan juices are reduced by half. Pour this flavorful sauce and the garlic over the tenderloin, and enjoy!
Best Pork Tenderloin Cooking Tips
- Trim the Silverskin: Before devouring pork tenderloin, be sure to remove the silverskin, a tough membrane on the surface. This can produce a more desirable and tender result!
- Don’t be Shy with Seasonings: Whether your recipe calls for salt, pepper, herbs, or spices, don’t hold back on seasoning! This can greatly enhance the natural flavor of pork tenderloin.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: It never hurts to invest in a reliable meat thermometer and use it to check the internal temperature of the pork. According to USDA, the target temperature for pork tenderloin is 145°F (63°C).
- Allow for Rest: If you’re looking for juicier, more flavorful pork, allow the tenderloin to rest for at least five minutes, tented with aluminum foil. This little snooze can allow the juice to redistribute evenly.
5. Grilled Apricot and Arugula Salad with Pork Tenderloin
There’s something magical about the combo of crisp arugula in tandem with grilled fruit and salted pork tenderloin! If you’re ready for a symphony of flavors, look no further than this holiday recipe.
Start by whisking together a homemade Maple Vinaigrette, using olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Reserve half of the vinaigrette for basting the pork tenderloin. Then, brush the pork liberally with oil and season with salt and pepper, then grill for about 15 minutes while turning and basting. Let it rest for 5 minutes and slice thinly. Toss apricots with a portion of the vinaigrette and grill briefly.
Assemble everything by tossing arugula and crunchy radicchio with the leftover vinaigrette, then plate with the sliced pork, grilled apricots, Gouda, and golden pecans!
Create a Holiday Spread with All-Natural Pork Tenderloin
If you’re on the hunt for something new to spice up your holiday spread this year, give any one of these pork tenderloin recipes a go. And don’t miss the opportunity to serve the highest quality, with Coleman Pork Tenderloin.
The Coleman Way, since 1875, is our commitment to quality, taking pride in humanely raising animals on family farms in the U.S.A with no antibiotics ever, no growth hormones, and 100% vegetarian fed. The result is premium, great tasting, all-natural meats in a variety of cuts and flavors that can be easily prepared and that you can feel good about serving to family and friends.
Taste the Coleman Commitment.
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