Tender, juicy pork with a glossy, tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. Ready in under 45 minutes!
🛠️ Equipment Needed:
- Large skillet or oven-safe pan
- Meat thermometer (recommended)
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs
- Small saucepan (optional, for thickening glaze)
📝 Ingredients:
For the Pork:
- 1.5–2 lbs pork tenderloin or boneless pork loin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or Italian seasoning)
For the Balsamic Glaze:
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey for a natural option)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
🍴 Ingredient Notes:
- Pork: Tenderloin cooks faster and stays moist. Loin is great for slicing but needs longer roasting.
- Balsamic vinegar: Use good quality for a rich, mellow glaze.
- Sweetener: Brown sugar gives depth; maple syrup or honey can substitute.
⏱️ Prep & Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Rest Time: 5–10 minutes
- Total Time: ~45 minutes
- Serves: 4
👨🍳 Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if you’re finishing in the oven.
2. Prepare the Pork
Pat pork dry with paper towels. Rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary.
3. Sear the Pork
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides (about 2–3 minutes per side) until golden.
4. Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon, garlic, and chili flakes.
5. Glaze and Roast
Pour glaze over pork. Transfer skillet to oven and roast for 15–20 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 145°F (63°C).
🔥 No oven? Cover and simmer on stove for 20–25 minutes over medium-low heat.
6. Rest and Thicken (optional)
Remove pork and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce leftover glaze in skillet over medium heat until thickened, if desired.
7. Slice and Serve
Slice pork and drizzle with extra glaze. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 15g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
(Varies based on cut and glaze reduction.)
💡 Tips:
- Don’t skip the rest time – it keeps pork juicy!
- Glaze too thin? Simmer it down in a saucepan until syrupy.
- Meal prep: This pork stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Pair with: roasted potatoes, garlic green beans, or a crisp salad.
🔄 Variations:
- Balsamic Fig Glaze: Add 2 tbsp fig preserves for a fruitier twist.
- Grilled Version: Grill pork, then brush glaze on during the last 5–10 minutes.
- Slow Cooker: Cook pork on low for 6–7 hours with the glaze, then broil to caramelize.
