French Onion Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Easy French onion Instant Pot pork tenderloin is a great dinner idea to make with just a sprinkle of salt and pepper, or with a thick french onion gravy that’s fantastic! 

Looking for how to cook a pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot? It’s simple once you know the timing. Make it with just a few herbs and seasonings or with a gravy that’s to die for. Try our easy Instant Pot pork tenderloin recipe yourself this week and let us know what you think! This and over 100 more Instant Pot recipes are on our site for you to try too. (affiliate links present, originally published 10/19)

French Onion Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

• I bet you make some sort of pressure cooker recipe daily right?? If you’re anything like me you do! This multi cooker has been a complete game changer for our family I tell you.

Prepping and cooking a complete meal in less than 30 minutes is now possible, and I will say it is better than in the oven. Pressure cooking meat changed the way I did things for sure a few years ago. Especially when it comes to pork.

I like tenderloin to be super moist with a bit of a sear on the outside. It was hard for me to gage whether it was done in the middle before and I tended to overcook it.  NOT anymore! You can use your Crockpot Express, Mealthy or as an easy Ninja Foodi recipe too.

Ninja Foodi Pork Tenderloin

The first step to buy a piece of meat at the store. Typically they’re packaged but occasionally you can get one from your local butcher counter. Choose one that isn’t already marinated.

What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin?

Loin is wide and thick while pork tenderloin is long and narrow. Both are cut from different areas of the loin muscle which runs along the back of the pig from the shoulder to the rear. Both are great, if you want more meat and have time to cook it all day, give our Crockpot frozen pork loin a whirl too.

Is pork tenderloin healthy?

• When you’re looking for lean protein to include in your diet, this cut of meat is a good choice. It’s low in fat, high in protein, and a rich source of vitamin B and selenium.
• It’s just as lean as skinless chicken breasts with more vitamins and minerals, and naturally gluten free.

Then to make pork tenderloin in Instant Pot pork we’re going to set our pressure cooker to saute. Essentially this part could be skipped but you won’t have a sear on the outside unless you do this. I think the texture is a bit off if you don’t brown the outsides a bit.

Then DO NOT forget to deglaze Instant Pot. If you don’t you may get the dreaded burn notice because the little stuck on bits of meat are triggering that error.

Instant Pot pork tenderloin recipe

This is what you’re going to need in order to get started. There aren’t very many ingredients which is nice but the few you do use have a ton of flavor. When done you’ll have a nice gravy at the bottom of the pot you can pour over the top of each slice. OR toss with the meat if you choose to shred it.

• Pork tenderloin – 1-2 lbs. is good
• French onion soup mix if you’re going to make it with that
  • the gravy using this is amazing
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil or butter
• Onion
• Broth
• Minced garlic
• Meat thermometer – always ensure thickest part of the internal temperature is at at least 142 degrees F before serving
• Small bowl to whisk a few items together before adding
• Cutting board to massage garlic and seasonings on the meat is helpful

Follow these steps to make your pork tender and juicy, you’ll be surprised at how fast the cook time is.

Now the trick to achieving tender pork is to NOT overcook it! 

Does pork loin get more tender the longer you cook it?

NO! It actually does the opposite. Although pork tenderloin is one of the most tender pork cuts, overcooking can make it tough and unpleasant. This cut of meat is one you definitely do NOT want to cook over low heat all day long in a slow cooker or Dutch oven.

It’s better using this method with a very short cook time and a long natural release. Pork chops in pressure cooker are kinda’ the same way.

How long does it take to cook meat in an Instant Pot?

For pork loin it is just a few minutes with a 15 minute natural release cycle. With beef it is a much longer time to break it down and have it fall off the bone tender, with usually a 10 minute release. Instant Pot chicken recipes are a bit in between.

Now it’s time for some cookin’

1. After your meat is browned on the outsides and you’ve deglazed your pot you’ll want to put your meat back in.
2. Whisk together your onion soup mix with remaining broth and add that too with a sprinkle of sliced onions on top.
3. You can add more salt and pepper now if you like it well seasoned.
4. Close lid and steam valve and set to 4 minutes for a piece of meat that is 1.5 lbs. If closer to 1 lb. I’d set for closer to 2 min.
5. Allow to naturally release steam for 15 minutes when done.
6. Remove meat and allow to rest and stay warm.
7. If making gravy turn pot to saute and in a small bowl whisk some hot liquid and a few tbsp of cornstarch until smooth.
8. Pour this in and allow to bubble and thicken.
9. Serve on top of white rice or mashed potatoes!

If you want a piece of lightly seasoned Instant Pot pork tenderloin keto without the soup mix you can do that too.

• Just omit that packet and season with whatever you like:
  • salt and pepper
  • garlic powder
  • minced garlic
  • some like a bit of chili powder

It will look more like this if you prefer this method. A drizzle of soy sauce is yummy if you make it this way too. 😉

Will a pork tenderloin shred?

• Tenderloin is lean so it isn’t the best choice. If you’re looking for an Instant Pot pork shoulder recipe I’d use this one.
• Instead I would choose one of these cuts:
  • The best roast is the shoulder.
    • High in fat and connective tissue the shoulder is also the most flavorful part of the hog.
      • The Boston butt is one part when butchered
      • Picnic roast is what the other portion is called
  • I would recommend following our Instant Pot Hawaiian pulled pork recipe if you want it shredded for sliders.
    • We actually used a center cut pork loin for this one and it worked great.

Can you cook frozen meat in the Instant Pot?

It make take a bit more time to come to pressure as frozen meat needs to defrost a bit. I prefer to defrost prior to cooking but there are some forgetful moments around here and these tips are helpful:

• This is how to cook frozen Instant Pot frozen chicken
• We share how to defrost Instant Pot frozen ground beef here

For frozen Instant Pot pork tenderloin follow these steps:

1. Put 2 cups of broth into pressure cooker.
2. Place a trivet inside with your frozen meat on top. (keep in mind it may not fit if frozen in a straight long piece)
3. Pressure cook on high for 60 minutes for a 2 lb piece followed by a 10 minute natural release. (timing will vary with size of meat and thickness)
4. Remove meat and allow to rest. Can make Instant Pot gravy at this time if you wish.
5. If it is defrosted, follow these air fryer pork loin instructions.

Looking for more Instant Pot recipes to try?

OH we have so many, but I will narrow it down to a few pressure cooker pork recipes we love.

• The above photo is our sweet Asian inspired Instant Pot pulled pork recipe.
• If you want simple pressure cooker pork chops with a mushroom gravy, try this!
• Use your leftover pork in an Instant Pot casserole!

If you need to know how to cook Smithfield pork tenderloin in the oven we have that, or air fryer pork chops dinner try these.

How long can you keep cooked pork in the fridge?

• Red meat and pork can remain in the refrigerator for up to five days and can be frozen for four to 12 months. Leftover cooked meat will last three to four days in the refrigerator safely, and two to six months in the freezer.
• Make sure you store them in air tight containers or freezer bags with the air squeezed out for best results.

How do you reheat pork without drying it out?

Since tenderloin is really lean reheating it without drying it out in the process can be hard. It can be quickly done on the stovetop over low heat in a simple frying pan.  Just add it sliced in a single layer with a bit of liquid or butter and immediately cover with the lid. Do not overcook it to remain tender. It is best if topped with a bit of gravy in my opinion.