Tea Braised Pork Tenderloin Recipes

SWEET TEA PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE

Steps:

• Whisk all ingredients together and keep in an airtight container. When ready to use, sprinkle the meat with a liberal amount of the seasoning and rub it in. Be sure to cover the entire surface. Allow the meat to rest at least 2 hours in the fridge (or overnight). Cook the meat as desired.
• Bring honey bourbon, broth, bay leaf, thyme and black pepper to a full boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce is reduced to ½ cup. Taste and season to taste with kosher salt. Mix the cold water and cornstarch and add to the bourbon sauce. Return the sauce to a boil and cook 1-2 more minutes or until mixture has thickened to the consistency of warm syrup. Add butter and whisk until smooth.
• In a large stockpot, combine sweet tea, salt, Worcestershire Sauce, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic cloves and fresh thyme. Stir until salt is dissolved. Submerge the pork tenderloins in the brine and refrigerate 4-8 hours. *Note: If using thicker, larger tenderloins, the pork should be marinated at least 8 hours, but not longer than 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, heat oven to 275°F. Spray a metal rack with nonstick cooking spray and set it over a rimmed cooking sheet that has been covered with foil.
• Remove the pork from the brine and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub the Pork Dry Rub over the entire surface of both pork loins. Place the pork loins on the rack leaving at least a 2-inch space between them.
• Place the pork in the preheated oven, and cook 35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F on a meat thermometer.
• Remove the pork from the oven; set aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil and 2 tablespoons butter. When the oil shimmers, carefully add the pork, again leaving space between the two loins. (Note: If the skillet is too small, sear one pork loin at a time.)
• Sear the pork on all sides, checking the internal temperature often - I find 150° with a 3 minute rest is best. (*See note re: pork temperature guidelines.) Keep in mind the pork will continue cooking about 3 minutes after removing from the heat source.
• Once the pork has reached the desired internal temperature, transfer it to a cutting board to rest, about 3-5 minutes.
• Slice the pork into ½-¾" medallions.
• Drizzle with Honey Bourbon Sauce and serve over Pimento Cheese Grits (recipe link in notes)

TEA BRAISED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• rub the tenderloin with salt and pepper.
• heat oil in a skillet, add the pork and brown on all sides.
• add to crockpot with onions and tea.
• cover and cook on high for 1 hour.
• reduce heat to low and cook for 6 hours.
• remove pork from crockpot.
• pour cooking liquid into a saucepan, bring to a boil, and reduce to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes.
• add jelly, chili sauce, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and cayenne.
• stir until jelly melts.
• add cherries, cook 1 minute more.
• serve sauce over sliced tenderloin, garnish with chives.

APPLE PICKING BRAISED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large braiser or Dutch oven over high heat. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and season all over with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add to the pot and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Remove to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the red onion to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the farro and toast for 1 minute. Add the apple cider and scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Add the chicken broth, grainy and regular Dijon and the thyme and bring to a strong simmer, about 2 minutes.
• Return the pork to the pot along with any residual juices. Braise in the oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part reaches 145 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pork to a cutting board, tent loosely with aluminum foil and allow to rest.
• Stir the apple into the farro mixture. Bake until most of the liquid evaporates and the farro and apples are just tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the thyme sprigs from the farro and stir in the escarole to wilt. Slice the pork into 1/2-inch-thick medallions. Serve the sliced pork over the farro and apples, topped with the parsley.

ROASTED SWEET VIDALIA PORK LOIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Generously sprinkle all sides of the pork loin with salt and pepper. Place a braiser or shallow Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and heat until shimmering. Carefully put the pork in the pan. Sear until deeply golden on all sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove from the pan.
• Put the onions and apple in a large mixing bowl. Add the caraway seeds, dried thyme, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to the bottom of the braiser and nestle in the garlic cloves. Pour in 1/4 cup of the chicken stock and place the pork back on top.
• Roast until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, about 30 minutes. Transfer the pork to a cutting board to rest while you make a pan sauce. Remove the apple and onion mixture to a platter
• Return the braiser to the stove over medium-high heat. Pour in the hard cider and remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock. Cook, scraping with a spatula to remove any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the mustard. Allow the sauce to simmer until reduced slightly, a couple of minutes. Add the butter, whisking until melted. Cook just until the sauce is shiny and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
• Slice the pork and arrange the slices over the onion and apple mixture. Top with sauce and chopped parsley.

PAN-SEARED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH BRAISED TURNIPS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Combine the cumin, garlic salt, oregano and mustard powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle the pork medallions on all sides with salt, followed by the rub.
• In a large straight-sided saute pan, heat the canola over high heat until it begins to smoke, then turn down the to medium. Add the pork medallions and sear until caramelized on one side, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip, then sear on the other side until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees F, about 4 more minutes. Remove the pork and set aside to rest. Return the pan to the heat and add the scallions and garlic. Cook over low heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the turnips and cook, stirring to coat the vegetables, for 1 minute. Add the white wine and chicken stock, scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and reduce by three-quarters, about 5 minutes. Chiffonade 1/2 cup of the turnip greens and add to the sauce with the butter and rosemary. Return the pork and any accumulated juices to the pan. Remove from the heat and top with the Parmesan. Divide among plates and garnish with the chives.

CIDER BRAISED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH APPLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Add the flour, salt and pepper to a shallow dish and whisk together. Add the tenderloin, turning to coat it completely, shaking off any excess.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and when it is hot add the pork and sear, turning to brown on all sides, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the pork to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any oil.
• Add the shallots and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the cider, scraping the bottom to remove any browning bits. Add the rosemary, thyme and mustard to the skillet, increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often. Return the pork to the pan, cover and transfer to the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the apple quarters and continue to cook, covered, in the oven for an additional 15 minutes until the apples are slightly soft but still firm and the pork registers 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transfer the apples and pork to a plate and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• While the pork is resting, place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a boil, if it is very thin then allow it to reduce by 1/3, whisk in the butter to make a glossy sauce. Transfer the sauce to a dish or pitcher.
• To serve: Place the pork onto a cutting board and slice crosswise into 8 slices. Arrange the slices of pork on a serving platter with the apple slices and spoon the sauce over the pork.