Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Juicy Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Recipe: A Family Dinner Win

Crafting a mouthwatering stuffed pork tenderloin sparks culinary creativity in every home kitchen.

Succulent meat paired with unexpected flavor combinations can turn an ordinary dinner into a memorable feast.

Tender cuts become canvas for your imagination, inviting bold ingredients to dance together.

Herbs, cheeses, and seasonal vegetables collaborate to create something extraordinary on your plate.

Mediterranean-inspired fillings or rich autumnal blends offer endless possibilities for adventurous cooks.

Subtle spices and carefully selected accompaniments can elevate this simple protein into a showstopping main course.

Mastering this technique promises a delightful journey through textures and tastes that will impress everyone at your table.

Festive Pork Tenderloin That Stands Out

  • Craft Complex Flavors: Elevate your cooking game with a sophisticated blend of caramelized onions, spinach, cranberry sauce, and tangy goat cheese that creates a restaurant-worthy dish at home.
  • Impress Dinner Guests: Showcase your culinary skills with a visually stunning rolled pork tenderloin that looks professionally prepared but is surprisingly manageable for home cooks.
  • Customize Your Feast: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients like different herbs, cheeses, or sauce to match your taste preferences or use what's available in your kitchen.
  • Celebrate Special Moments: Perfect for holiday gatherings, dinner parties, or when you want to make an ordinary meal feel extraordinary with minimal extra effort.

Shopping for Festive Pork Tenderloin Ingredients

Main Protein:
  • Pork Tenderloin: A lean and tender cut of meat that serves as the centerpiece of this festive dish.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Spinach: Adds a nutritious green layer with a soft texture to the pork tenderloin.
  • Caramelized Onions: Provides a sweet and rich flavor base for the filling.
  • Goat Cheese: Offers a creamy and tangy element to complement the other ingredients.
  • Cranberry Sauce: Introduces a sweet and tart component that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Seasoning and Aromatics:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the pork and other ingredients.
  • Sage: A fragrant herb that adds a warm and earthy note to the dish.
  • Garlic: Brings a pungent and aromatic flavor to the spinach.
Cooking Ingredients:
  • Butter: Used for caramelizing onions and cooking spinach, adding richness to the recipe.
  • Kitchen Twine: Helps secure the rolled pork tenderloin during roasting.
  • Foil: Used to line the roasting pan for easy cleanup.

Cooking Instructions for Pork Tenderloin Celebration

Step 1: Caramelize Sweet Onions

Melt butter in a spacious skillet over gentle heat.

Sprinkle salt over sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally until they turn golden brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor.

This process typically takes 30-40 minutes, so be patient and let the onions transform into a delicious caramelized base.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Herb Blend

Fold fresh sage into the caramelized onions, creating a fragrant mixture.

Transfer this delightful combination to a separate bowl and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare Vibrant Spinach

In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and add fresh spinach.

Cook until the leaves wilt completely.

Quickly introduce minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 4: Prepare Cooking Environment

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil to ensure easy cleanup and even cooking.

Step 5: Prepare Pork Tenderloin

Carefully butterfly the pork tenderloin by cutting lengthwise, creating a flat surface.

Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 6: Layer Delicious Fillings

Spread a layer of tangy cranberry sauce across the opened tenderloin, leaving a small border around the edges.

Arrange the following ingredients:
  • Wilted spinach
  • Caramelized onions
  • Creamy goat cheese

Step 7: Roll And Secure

Carefully roll the tenderloin tightly, encasing the flavorful fillings.

Use kitchen twine to secure the roll, ensuring the ingredients stay nestled inside.

Season the exterior with additional salt and pepper.

Step 8: Roast To Perfection

Place the prepared tenderloin in the preheated oven.

Roast for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F for a perfectly cooked, juicy result.

Step 9: Rest And Serve

Allow the tenderloin to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing from the oven.

This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful final dish.

Slice and serve to eager guests.

Pork Tenderloin Pro Touches for Tender Results

  • Patience is key when caramelizing onions. Use low, steady heat and stir occasionally to develop deep, rich flavor without burning.
  • Prepare spinach and caramelized onion mixture in advance to streamline cooking process and enhance flavor melding.
  • Use a meat thermometer for precise doneness. 140-145F ensures juicy, tender meat without overcooking.
  • Tie pork tightly and evenly with kitchen twine to maintain shape and ensure uniform cooking throughout the tenderloin.
  • Allow meat to rest after roasting, which helps redistribute juices and keeps the tenderloin moist and flavorful.

Pork Tenderloin Different Flavors for the Season

  • Vegetarian Mushroom Roulade: Replace pork with large portobello mushroom caps, stuffed with caramelized onions, spinach, and vegan goat cheese alternative for a plant-based version.
  • Gluten-Free Low-Carb Option: Use thinly sliced chicken breast instead of pork, eliminate cranberry sauce, and add roasted red pepper spread for added flavor and lower carbohydrate content.
  • Mediterranean Lamb Variation: Swap pork with butterflied lamb tenderloin, replace cranberry sauce with olive tapenade, add feta cheese and fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired profile.
  • Spicy Southwestern Adaptation: Use turkey tenderloin, substitute sage with cumin, replace goat cheese with pepper jack, add roasted green chiles inside filling for a zesty southwestern kick.

Festive Pork Tenderloin Serving Presentation

  • Party Plate Perfection: Arrange slices on a rustic wooden board, garnished with fresh sage leaves and crumbled goat cheese for a stunning presentation.
  • Holiday Harmony: Pair with roasted winter vegetables like brussels sprouts or butternut squash to complement the tenderloin's rich flavors.
  • Wine Companion: Serve alongside a glass of pinot noir or crisp chardonnay to elevate the dining experience and balance the dish's savory notes.
  • Leftover Magic: Transform remaining slices into gourmet sandwiches with caramelized onions and a spread of cranberry sauce on artisan bread.

Storing Pork Tenderloin to Retain Flavor

  • Store leftover pork tenderloin in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
  • Wrap sliced pork tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place in freezer-safe container and freeze up to 3 months. Label with date for tracking.
  • Preheat oven to 325F. Place pork slices in baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.
  • Slice pork, place on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel, heat in 30-second intervals. Check temperature between intervals to avoid overcooking.

FAQs

  • What ingredients make this pork tenderloin special?

The combination of caramelized onions, wilted spinach, goat cheese, and cranberry sauce creates a complex flavor profile with sweet, savory, and tangy notes that elevate the traditional roasted pork.

  • Is butterflying the pork difficult?

Butterflying is simple: slice the tenderloin lengthwise, almost cutting through, then open it flat like a book, creating a larger surface for adding delicious fillings.

  • Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have some on hand?

Yes, you can swap goat cheese for cream cheese, use different herbs like thyme instead of sage, and replace cranberry sauce with fig jam or another sweet preserve.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mediterranean zest elevates this Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and feta cheese. Succulent flavors dance across your palate, promising a delightful culinary journey through Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 boneless pork tenderloin (12 lbs / 0.450.9 kg)

Aromatic Vegetables and Herbs:

  • 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

Complementary Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
  • 6 ounces (170 grams) goat cheese, crumbled
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Gently transform whole onions into a golden, silky caramel using butter over medium-low heat, requiring patience for approximately 30-40 minutes.
  2. Infuse caramelized onions with fragrant sage, then transfer the aromatic mixture to a separate mixing bowl.
  3. Utilize remaining butter to wilt fresh spinach, quickly introducing minced garlic for an additional 30 seconds before removing from heat source.
  4. Prepare roasting environment by preheating oven to 450F and lining pan with protective aluminum foil.
  5. Create a delicate butterfly cut along pork tenderloin’s length, generously seasoning interior with salt and freshly cracked pepper.
  6. Carefully spread cranberry sauce across opened tenderloin, maintaining a small border, then strategically layer wilted spinach, caramelized onions, and creamy goat cheese.
  7. Tightly roll tenderloin into compact cylinder, securing with kitchen twine and seasoning exterior with additional salt and pepper.
  8. Roast tenderloin for 30-35 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 140-145F for optimal doneness.
  9. Allow meat to rest peacefully for 10-15 minutes before slicing, ensuring juices redistribute throughout the tender protein.

Notes

  • Timing Matters Caramelize onions slowly over low heat to develop deep, rich flavor without burning.
  • Cheese Selection Choose creamy goat cheese that melts easily and complements the pork’s richness.
  • Twine Technique Use kitchen twine evenly spaced to maintain a tight roll and ensure uniform cooking.
  • Temperature Control Let pork rest after roasting to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and succulent meat.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 340 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star