Oh my goodness, are you ready for a weeknight dinner game-changer? Seriously, this Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin is about to become your new best friend. It hits that perfect spot between sweet and spicy, and let me tell you, it’s become our go-to when we need something delicious *fast*. I remember one crazy Tuesday where I had absolutely nothing planned, and this recipe came to the rescue. The pork tenderloin itself is such a fantastic cut for busy nights because it cooks up so quickly! Trust me, you’ll want to whip this up again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin
This recipe is a total winner for so many reasons:
- It’s CRAZY easy: Seriously, you’ll feel like a kitchen superstar with minimal effort.
- Lightning Fast: Dinner on the table in under an hour? Yes, please! It’s perfect for busy weeknights
- Flavor Explosion: That sweet and spicy kick from the jalapeno glaze is just divine.
- So Versatile: This pork tenderloin plays well with just about any side dish you can dream up!
Gather Your Ingredients for Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Alright, let’s get our mise en place sorted! For this amazing Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin, you’ll need to round up a few things. Don’t worry, they’re all pretty standard and easy to find.
For the Pork:
- Pork tenderloin: Grab about a pound of it, and make sure it’s trimmed up nice.
- Salt: Just a teaspoon will do.
- Black pepper: About half a teaspoon, freshly ground if you have it!
For the Glaze:
- Apricot preserves: Half a cup is perfect for that lovely sweet base.
- Jalapeno jelly: Two tablespoons of this is where the magic happens!
- Soy sauce: Adds a nice little savory depth, just one tablespoon.
- Garlic: You’ll need one clove, minced up super fine.
- Red pepper flakes: This is totally optional, but if you like a little extra heat, go for about a quarter teaspoon.
Essential Equipment for Making Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin
You don’t need a fancy setup for this recipe, thankfully! Just a few trusty kitchen tools will get the job done:
- Baking dish: Something to hold your pork while it roasts.
- Small saucepan: For whipping up that glorious glaze.
- Whisk: To make sure your glaze is perfectly smooth.
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Now for the fun part – putting it all together! It’s really straightforward, so don’t stress. We’re going to get this deliciousness into the oven in no time.
Preheat and Prepare
First things first, crank your oven up to 400°F (200°C). While that’s heating, grab your baking dish and give it a quick little grease. This just helps make sure nothing sticks later on.
Season the Pork
Take your trimmed pork tenderloin and give it a good pat down with some paper towels. This might seem minor, but it really helps the seasonings stick and gives you a better sear. Then, just sprinkle it all over with your salt and black pepper. Don’t miss any spots!
Craft the Jalapeno Glaze
Okay, time for the star of the show – the glaze! Grab a small saucepan and toss in the apricot preserves, jalapeno jelly, soy sauce, minced garlic, and those optional red pepper flakes if you’re feeling brave. Pop it over medium heat. Stir it all up until those preserves melt and you’ve got a smooth, glossy mixture. Once it’s all combined and looks yummy, take it off the heat.
Glaze and Roast
Now, take that beautiful glaze you just made and brush about half of it all over your seasoned pork tenderloin. Get it coated pretty well! Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven and let it roast for about 15 minutes.
Final Glaze and Roast to Perfection
After those first 15 minutes, pull the pork out of the oven. Give it another generous brush with the rest of that leftover glaze. Pop it back in the oven and let it roast for another 10 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for the internal temperature to hit 145°F (63°C) on a meat thermometer. Seriously, use a thermometer – it’s the best way to guarantee perfectly cooked, juicy pork!
Rest and Serve
This next step is super important for juicy pork! Once it’s reached that perfect temperature, take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. It might be tempting to slice right away, but trust me, this brief rest lets all those juices redistribute. Then, just slice it up and serve. You could even serve it alongside some garlic herb roasted potatoes!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Okay, let’s chat about these ingredients for a second, because a few little tweaks can make this Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin even more “you”! That apricot preserves? If you don’t have it on hand, peach jam is a fantastic swap – it gives you that lovely sweet, fruity base. And for the jalapeno jelly, if you can’t find that specific kind, no worries! You can totally use any kind of spicy pepper jelly, or even mix a little regular jelly (like red currant or even grape) with some finely minced fresh jalapeno. It really just depends on how much kick you’re aiming for. You can also just add more red pepper flakes if you want more heat without the jelly flavor. It’s all about making it taste perfect for your family!
Tips for the Best Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin
You know, even though this Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin is super forgiving, I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years to make it absolutely perfect every time. My biggest lesson? Pork tenderloin is lean and cooks fast, so don’t walk away from it towards the end! Overcooking it even by a few minutes can turn it a little dry. Always, always trust your meat thermometer – 145°F (63°C) is your sweet spot. Also, make sure you’re brushing that glaze on evenly in both steps for a beautiful, caramelized crust all over. It really elevates everything! If you’re looking for more quick dinners, check out some quick low-carb recipes!
Serving Suggestions for Your Pork Tenderloin
This Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin is so flavorful, it really sings with simple, fresh sides. I love pairing it with something a little light and bright to balance out that sweet and spicy glaze. Some perfectly roasted vegetables, like my roasted veggie tahini yogurt medley, are fantastic. Or, if you want something a bit more substantial, some fluffy Greek lemon rice is always a winner. Honestly, anything that lets that delicious pork shine is a good choice!
Frequently Asked Questions about Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin
How do I make the Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin less spicy?
If you’re sensitive to heat, just dial back on the jalapeno jelly and definitely skip the red pepper flakes. You could also try using a sweeter jelly, like apricot or peach, as the main base and just add a tiny bit of jalapeno jelly for flavor without the fire.
Can I use a different cut of pork?
While pork tenderloin is ideal because it cooks so quickly, you could try a pork loin. Just remember it’s thicker, so it will need longer in the oven. Always use a meat thermometer to be sure it’s cooked through to 145°F (63°C).
What is the best way to store leftovers of this Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin?
Let any leftovers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be good for about 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a pan on the stove or in the microwave, maybe with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist.
Nutritional Information Estimate
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin is an estimate per serving. Things like the exact brand of preserves or jelly you use can change the numbers a bit. But typically, you’re looking at around 300-350 calories, with about 30-35g of protein, 15-20g of fat, and 20-25g of carbs. Pretty good for such a flavorful dish, right?
Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Season it all over with salt and black pepper.
- Place the seasoned pork tenderloin in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small saucepan, combine the apricot preserves, jalapeno jelly, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Heat over medium heat, stirring until the preserves are melted and the glaze is smooth. Remove from heat.
- Brush about half of the glaze over the pork tenderloin.
- Roast the pork for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining glaze.
- Continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145°F (63°C) on a meat thermometer.
- Let the pork rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.