COFFEE-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH HONEY GARLIC GLAZE
on Aug 22, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Lean, quick-cooking pork tenderloin is crusted with a smoky coffee-infused rub before seared off and topped with a savory, tangy honey glaze.
Looking to spice up your holiday dinner? Look no further than this Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Honey Garlic Glaze. This show stopping dish is surprisingly simple but delivers big on flavor and presentation — the ideal trifecta for an amazing holiday meal.
Pork tenderloin is often a forgotten cut of meat, but I’m here to bring it back to your repertoire! It’s relatively inexpensive, can feed a crowd, and is relatively easy to cook.
Because it’s lean, the key is to add a lot of flavor to it. I do this with a coffee-infused spice rub filled with smoky, peppery notes. The pork is quickly seared on a pan before it finishes cooking in the oven.
The thing that really seals the deal is the glaze! Sticky-sweet honey is paired with garlic, tamari, and apple cider vinegar. It’s so good you’ll be scraping up every last bit from the pan.
Twist up your holiday by serving this coffee rubbed pork tenderloin. It may just become a new holiday standby. Enjoy!
Get the Protein-Empowered digital cookbook!
Key Ingredients for Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
Here’s what you’ll need to make the most delicious pork recipe.
- Pork: Look for organic, unseasoned pork tenderloins. Two pounds will serve roughly four to six people.
- Instant Coffee: Even if you’re a coffee connoisseur, instant does the trick here!
- Spices: A homemade blend of coconut sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes along with the coffee adds robust flavor to the lean meat.
- Tamari: This gluten-free soy sauce alternative pairs well with the honey, garlic, and apple cider vinegar in the sweet and savory glaze.
Pin this recipe for later!
Pin ItHow to Make Coffee Crusted Pork Tenderloin
To start, make the spice rub. Add coconut sugar, instant coffee, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to a small dish. Stir to combine.
Using your hands (I like to work with kitchen gloves but that is just my preference), sprinkle the rub over both the pork tenderloins, working the mixture into the meat. Let the tenderloins sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.
In the meantime, preheat the oven to 375°F.
When ready to cook, heat 3 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Using tongs, sear the tenderloins on all sides. It should take about 2 minutes per side to form a nice crust. If the tenderloins are crowding the pan, sear them one at a time.
Once seared, remove the tenderloins from the heat and set aside on a plate.
Next, make the glaze. Add the minced garlic, honey, tamari, and apple cider vinegar into a measuring cup or small bowl. Mix well with a fork or spoon.
Add the glaze to the skillet over medium-low heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Return the tenderloins to the skillet. Turn the tenderloins around in the pan using the tongs coating all sides of the pork with the glaze. Place the skillet in the preheated oven.
Roast in the oven until a meat thermometer reaches 145°F for medium-rare. This should take about 12 minutes for a rosy center. I highly recommend using a meat thermometer so you don’t under or over cook the meat.
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
FAQ and Recipe Variations for Coffee Crusted Pork
One of my followers suggested duck breast which I think would be a great idea! This spice rub could also work well on chicken thighs or breast.
It depends on how you like it cooked. For medium-rare, I cook it until the meat reaches 145°F. If you prefer it cooked well-done, cook until it reaches 160°F.
First, be grateful! There are plenty of options! Leftover pork is a great topping for salads with roasted vegetables, fried rice, or a noodle bowl. And if you have some leftover glaze, heat it up on the skillet adding some water if needed to thin it out.
Try This With:
- Crispy Baked Salt and Vinegar Potatoes
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Pomegranates
- Herb and Maple Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas
COFFEE-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH HONEY GARLIC GLAZE
Ingredients
Pork:
- (2) 1-pound pork tenderloins
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
Spice Rub:
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Glaze:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons tamari
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Make the spice rub by adding the coconut sugar, instant coffee, paprika, garlic and onion powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in a small dish. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the rub over both the pork tenderloins, working the mixture into the meat. Let the tenderloins sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Heat the avocado oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the tenderloins on all sides (about 2 minutes per side). Note, if your pan is too small, sear the tenderloins one at a time. You’re looking for a good crust on the meat. Remove the tenderloins from the heat and set aside.
- Make the glaze. Add the minced garlic, honey, tamari, and apple cider vinegar into a measuring cup or small bowl. Mix well.
- Add the glaze to the skillet over medium-low heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Return the tenderloins to the skillet, coating in the glaze, and then place the skillet in the preheated oven.
- Roast until a meat thermometer reaches 145°F for medium-rare. This should take about 12 minutes for a rosy center.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
