Tea Braised Pork Tenderloin Recipes

SWEET TEA PORK TENDERLOIN RECIPE

Steps:

• Whisk all ingredients together and keep in an airtight container. When ready to use, sprinkle the meat with a liberal amount of the seasoning and rub it in. Be sure to cover the entire surface. Allow the meat to rest at least 2 hours in the fridge (or overnight). Cook the meat as desired.
• Bring honey bourbon, broth, bay leaf, thyme and black pepper to a full boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce is reduced to ½ cup. Taste and season to taste with kosher salt. Mix the cold water and cornstarch and add to the bourbon sauce. Return the sauce to a boil and cook 1-2 more minutes or until mixture has thickened to the consistency of warm syrup. Add butter and whisk until smooth.
• In a large stockpot, combine sweet tea, salt, Worcestershire Sauce, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic cloves and fresh thyme. Stir until salt is dissolved. Submerge the pork tenderloins in the brine and refrigerate 4-8 hours. *Note: If using thicker, larger tenderloins, the pork should be marinated at least 8 hours, but not longer than 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, heat oven to 275°F. Spray a metal rack with nonstick cooking spray and set it over a rimmed cooking sheet that has been covered with foil.
• Remove the pork from the brine and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub the Pork Dry Rub over the entire surface of both pork loins. Place the pork loins on the rack leaving at least a 2-inch space between them.
• Place the pork in the preheated oven, and cook 35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F on a meat thermometer.
• Remove the pork from the oven; set aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil and 2 tablespoons butter. When the oil shimmers, carefully add the pork, again leaving space between the two loins. (Note: If the skillet is too small, sear one pork loin at a time.)
• Sear the pork on all sides, checking the internal temperature often - I find 150° with a 3 minute rest is best. (*See note re: pork temperature guidelines.) Keep in mind the pork will continue cooking about 3 minutes after removing from the heat source.
• Once the pork has reached the desired internal temperature, transfer it to a cutting board to rest, about 3-5 minutes.
• Slice the pork into ½-¾" medallions.
• Drizzle with Honey Bourbon Sauce and serve over Pimento Cheese Grits (recipe link in notes)

TEA BRAISED PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• rub the tenderloin with salt and pepper.
• heat oil in a skillet, add the pork and brown on all sides.
• add to crockpot with onions and tea.
• cover and cook on high for 1 hour.
• reduce heat to low and cook for 6 hours.
• remove pork from crockpot.
• pour cooking liquid into a saucepan, bring to a boil, and reduce to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes.
• add jelly, chili sauce, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and cayenne.
• stir until jelly melts.
• add cherries, cook 1 minute more.
• serve sauce over sliced tenderloin, garnish with chives.

BRAISED PORK TACOS

Steps:

• Put the chiles into a small bowl and cover with hot water; set aside. In a large heavy bottomed pan with a tight fitting lid, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil. Generously season the pork with salt and pepper. Brown the meat well on both sides, about 5 minutes per side; remove the meat and set aside. Add the onion, pepper, garlic, cumin, thyme, and bay leaf; fry until softened, about 5 minutes, scraping up the browned bits in the pan. Stem and seed the soaked chiles reserving the soaking liquid; hand tear them into the pot. Return the meat to the pan along with any accumulated juices. Top the meat with the tomatoes. Pour in the chili soaking liquid, straining out any seeds, until it almost covers the meat; add water if you need more liquid. Squeeze the orange and lime juices into the pot and add the rinds. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the pork is very tender. Remove the meat to a platter and cover to keep warm. Strain the braising liquid and reserve.
• Shred the pork. Add some of the reserved braising liquid if the meat is dry. Take a tortilla and place about 2 tablespoons of the mixture on top. Garnish with the avocado, radishes, and Salsa Verde; fold the sides up and serve.
• Put the masa harina in a bowl and mix in the salt. Add about 1 cup warm water and mix with your hands; add more water as needed until the dough comes together. Knead for a few minutes to smooth the dough out. The dough should be firm and springy and should not stick to your hands. Test by forming a small disk, if it cracks around the edges you need more water.
• Place a piece of heavy plastic (like from a garbage bag) onto a tortilla press. Form a 1 1/2-inch ball of dough and place it in the center of the press. Top with another piece of plastic, close the press, and push the lever down to form the tortilla. (Alternately, the dough balls can be rolled between plastic sheets with a rolling pin.) Open the press and remove the top layer of plastic. Carefully peel the tortilla off the bottom plastic and place it onto a hot, ungreased cast iron skillet; cook for about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove the tortilla and place it on a clean tea towel; keep it covered to keep it soft and pliable. Continue until you have used up all the dough.
• Yield: 20 (6-inch) tortillas
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the tomatillos, jalapeno, onion, garlic, and 1 tablespoon salt. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes until the tomatillos are soft but have not burst. Add the cooked vegetables to a blender with the cilantro leaves and lime juice. Pour in 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking liquid and process to a coarse puree. Taste and adjust seasoning with more cilantro, lime juice, or salt.
• Yield: 2 cups

HERB-MARINATED PORK TENDERLOINS

Steps:

• Combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, mustard, and 2 teaspoons salt in a sturdy 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add the pork tenderloins and turn to coat with the marinade. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Marinate the pork in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours but preferably overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and discard the marinade but leave the herbs that cling to the meat. Sprinkle the tenderloins generously with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-proof saute pan over medium-high heat. Sear the pork tenderloins on all sides until golden brown. Place the saute pan in the oven and roast the tenderloins for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat registers 137 degrees F at the thickest part. Transfer the tenderloins to a platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Carve in 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices. The thickest part of the tenderloin will be quite pink (it's just fine!) and the thinnest part will be well done. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm, or at room temperature with the juices that collect in the platter.

PORK TENDERLOIN, THE BEST EVER

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Trim as much of the fat off as you can.
• Season with Salt& Pepper.
• Roll tenderloin in flour and coat well.
• Heat olive oil in cast iron skillet.
• Brown the tenderloin on all sides.
• Mix the soups together with the hot water.
• Add the soups slowly to the roast allowing the onion pieces to rest on the top of the tenderloin as much as possible.
• Cover and bake in oven for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the inner temperature reaches 170 degrees (well done).

BRAIDED PORK TENDERLOINS

Steps:

• Cut tenderloins in half lengthwise; cut each half into three strips to within 1-in. of one end. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the mango nectar, 1/4 cup rum, oil, 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning and garlic; add pork. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for up to 4 hours., Drain and discard marinade. Place tenderloin halves on a clean cutting board and braid; secure loose ends with toothpicks. Sprinkle with remaining jerk seasoning., Grill braids, covered, over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 145°. Discard toothpicks. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing., Meanwhile, place the cream, remaining rum and mango in a food processor. Cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan; heat through. Serve with pork.