Description
Succulent Pineapple Pork Tenderloin combines tropical sweetness with savory grilled meat, creating a mouthwatering dish that transports palates to Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Juicy pork marinated in zesty pineapple and aromatic spices promises a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) pork tenderloin, trimmed
Sweet Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (85 grams) honey (local preferred)
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
Spices and Garnish:
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- 1 can (8 ounces or 227 grams) pineapple slices, drained
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F, preparing for a flavorful roast.
- Craft a vibrant glaze by blending pineapple juice, sugar, honey, mustard, and aromatic spices.
- Allow glaze to simmer and reduce for 15-20 minutes until it reaches a rich, thickened consistency.
- Create strategic diagonal cuts across the tenderloin, spacing them approximately 3/4 inch apart while maintaining attachment at the base.
- Generously coat the meat and interior cuts with half of the prepared glaze, ensuring thorough coverage.
- Slice pineapple pieces and carefully nestle them into the pre-cut tenderloin channels.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Elevate oven temperature to 400°F for final caramelization.
- Brush remaining glaze over the tenderloin, returning to oven for an additional 10 minutes to develop a glossy, caramelized exterior.
- Allow meat to rest for 10 minutes before slicing, enabling juices to redistribute and enhance overall flavor profile.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by marinating pork tenderloin in glaze for 2-3 hours before cooking to infuse deeper sweetness.
- Create decorative presentation by carefully inserting pineapple slices at precise angles, ensuring even distribution in meat cuts.
- Transform recipe into low-sugar version by substituting honey and sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for diabetic-friendly option.
- Prevent meat from drying out by using meat thermometer and removing from oven exactly at 145F internal temperature for juicy, tender result.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg