Harissa-Honey Pork Tenderloin
Updated Oct. 11, 2023
- Total Time
- 35 minutes
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes, plus 10 minutes resting
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- ¼cup harissa paste or 1 teaspoon harissa spice powder
- 2tablespoons honey
- 1pork tenderloin (1 to 1¼ pounds), silver skin removed, meat halved crosswise and patted dry
- Salt and pepper
- 2teaspoons neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola
Nutritional analysis per serving (3 servings)
222 calories; 9 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 13 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 12 grams sugars; 25 grams protein; 352 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together the harissa and honey. On a plate, season the pork all over with salt and pepper (about 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon fine sea salt). Rub a thin layer of the harissa-honey mixture all over the pork and reserve the rest.
- Step 2
Heat the oil in a medium ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Add the pork and cook until very browned on two sides, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Decrease the heat if the pork is burning; hold onto the plate.
- Step 3
Turn off the heat and return the pork to the plate. Rub the pork all over with the remaining harissa-honey mixture. Remove any burnt bits from the skillet, then return the pork to the skillet and roast until a thermometer in the thickest part registers between 140 and 145 degrees, 8 to 12 minutes. (The thinner, tapered piece of meat may be ready first, so check both pieces and remove them as they’re done.)
- Step 4
Transfer to a cutting board to rest at least 10 minutes (the meat’s internal temperature will continue to climb), then slice and serve with the juices poured over.
Private Notes
Comments
Turn the oven up to 425 and skip the stove top browning.
Great method, the pork was very tender and moist! We substituted garlic instead of harissa so it was more kid-friendly, and it was very delish. Can't wait to try it with harissa as well! My only note--it wasn't completely clear to me which way to cook it in step 2 vs step 3. But I went with browning it on the stove for 2-4 mins each side, re-seasoning, and then putting it in the oven to roast for 8-12 mins. I think that's what's intended in the recipe, and it worked perfectly!
I don't usually like pork, but this was perfect. So juicy and flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, except used maple syrup instead of honey, because that's all I had. I served it with basmati rice and a sauce of yogurt, sumac, lime and mint. It was an amazing weeknight dinner. Will definitely make again.
Love an easy and good recipe! I had some potatoes that I wanted to roast as well, so I cut them into 1” pieces and put them in the pan with the pork when I put it in the oven. Could try putting the potatoes in the oven for 10 minutes and adding the pork after that to manage cooking times a little better since I had to use two pans anyway (it was too difficult to clean the burnt bits out of the hot pan). I used Mina Mild Harissa. Good, but could try a hotter Harissa next time.
Accidentally got turkey tenderloin instead of pork! Still yummy!
I cooked it on a grill. I think salt needs to be added to the sauce in addition to the tenderloin. It might be harissa dependent. I will definitely make this again.