Oh, let me tell you, this bourbon pork tenderloin, it’s somethin’ special, honey! Now, you don’t need no fancy skills to make it, just a bit of patience and some good ingredients. It’s the kinda meal that’ll make your kitchen smell real nice, and when it hits the table, everyone’s gonna wanna dig in right away. This here is just how you do it, step by step, nice and easy.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 pork tenderloin, about a pound or so
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- A bit of oil – any kinda cooking oil works
- 1/4 cup of bourbon – yep, that’s the special ingredient
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- A sprinkle of thyme – fresh or dried, either’s fine
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’re gonna want to turn that oven on and set it to 375°F. While it’s heating up, get yourself a nice heavy skillet. Cast iron works real nice if you have one. Don’t have a cast iron? Don’t worry; any oven-safe pan will do just fine.
Step 2: Season the Pork
Now, take that pork tenderloin and give it a good sprinkle of salt and pepper on both sides. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – that’s what’s gonna bring out all the good flavors.
Step 3: Sear It on the Stove
Put that skillet on the stove, add a bit of oil, and heat it up over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, place the tenderloin in the pan. You’ll want to let it sit there for a couple of minutes without movin’ it so it gets a nice brown crust. Flip it over and do the same on the other side. This little step here makes all the difference, trust me!
Step 4: Make the Bourbon Sauce
While that pork is gettin’ a good sear, it’s time to whip up that sauce. In a small bowl, mix together the bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and thyme. Give it a good stir so everything’s combined.
Step 5: Pour the Sauce and Roast
Once the pork has a nice crust on both sides, pour that sauce right over the top of it in the skillet. Careful, now – bourbon can sizzle a bit when it hits the hot pan! Put the whole skillet in the oven and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes. You want the pork to reach about 145°F inside, so if you’ve got a meat thermometer, it’s a good time to use it.
Step 6: Let It Rest
When it’s done, take the skillet out and let the pork rest for a few minutes. Don’t skip this part – resting keeps all them juices inside, so it’s nice and tender when you slice it up.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Now, slice that pork up nice and thin, drizzle a bit of that sauce over each piece, and there you go! Serve it with some mashed potatoes, maybe some green beans or a salad on the side, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’ll have folks askin’ for seconds.
Tips for the Best Bourbon Pork Tenderloin
- Use Real Bourbon: If you got real bourbon, use it! The flavor’s rich and it really makes this dish stand out. If you don’t, you can use whiskey, but bourbon’s the best.
- Don’t Overcook: Pork can get tough if you overdo it, so keep an eye on it while it’s in the oven. Check it with that thermometer around 20 minutes just to be safe.
- Let It Rest: Like I said, resting is key. It’s just a few minutes, but it makes sure your pork stays juicy and delicious.
There you go! A dish that’s fancy enough for company but simple enough for a regular ol’ dinner. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a tasty bourbon pork tenderloin that’s sure to please. Enjoy, y’all!
Tags：[bourbon pork tenderloin, pork recipe, easy pork dinner, bourbon sauce, homemade pork tenderloin, cast iron pork recipe]
