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Pork Tenderloin, It’s What’s for Dinner

Pulled Pork with Jack Daniel's Sauce

Ever wander through the meat department at the grocery store and see a pork tenderloin on sale? Everyone knows you can throw pork chops in a bag, shake them around and, presto, dinner served. But a tenderloin might be intimidating to a newer cook (sometimes to a seasoned cook like me too). When they’re on sale, though, they are an economical dinner option. Especially if you follow these easy pork tenderloin recipes.

“This is great to have during the fall months when the weather outside is crisp,” thinks Sara Andrea (Eugene, OR) of her Peppercorn Crusted Pork Loin with Creamy Sauce recipe.

Come fall, back-to-school activities seem to take over the schedule. This roasted pork loin is so easy it’s the perfect weeknight meal. The roast itself is tender and juicy. A peppercorn crust adds a bit of heat, but the creamy dipping sauce cools it down. It’s simple and satisfying.

Not only does Linda Hennessey’s (Chesterfield, MO) Rosemary Dijon Pork Tenderloin “look and taste fabulous,” it’s also an easy and delicious pork recipe. Tender, juicy, and full of flavor!

Linda’s glaze is what makes this pork loin. With orange juice, honey and fresh rosemary, it’s tangy, sweet, earthy… and amazing. Basting while cooking, allows the glaze to really permeate the meat. Serve with roasted potatoes and a side salad for a fantastic dinner.

I’m a big fan of sweet and sour chicken from my local Chinese restaurant. So, when I first saw Stacey Lawson’s (New Orleans, LA) Sweet & Spicy Pork Tenderloin I thought I’d like it because of the similar flavors. I didn’t like it, I loved it.

“Pork tenderloin with a sweet and spicy flavor, that is what I’ve created,” says Stacey. “Let the Crock Pot do the work for you in this simple recipe.” It’s sweet and sour with a bit of a kick. Very tasty!

It’s all about the marinade for Melanie B.’s (Kennesaw, GA) Asian Pork Loin. It’s Asian-inspired and super tasty. Four simple ingredients pack a ton of flavor. Melanie’s pork loin can be turned into so many recipes. “Slice thin after cooked for delish appetizer sandwiches,” suggests Melanie. A few other ideas are dicing and adding to fried rice, slicing thin and adding to a salad or create a pork stir-fry with the meat and additional veggies.

Pulled pork is a great option if you’re having a busy day. Leave it in the Crock Pot and people can just serve themselves as they come and go. Or, if you’re hosting a game day party it’s a hearty meal. Two recipes I love are Bruce Hoffman’s Pulled Pork with Jack Daniel’s Sauce and Patrick Meyer’s (Greenville, SC) Root Beer Sliders and Kale Chips.

Bruce’s pulled pork is sweet, tangy and spicy all thanks to the great BBQ sauce. It pairs well with the juicy pulled pork loin. Catherine Jones-Hatcher (Richmond, VA) agrees about the sauce making the dish.

“The sauce is delicious (though sweet) and the pork smells heavenly,” shared Catherine. “I have no doubt when the two are combined, this dish will disappear off the dinner table.” Something seriously magical happens when you combine the pulled pork and BBQ sauce. It’s so good!

Patrick made his Root Beer Sliders for a television appearance and “everyone devoured these” according to Patrick. Well, they were devoured in the Test Kitchen too.

The pork is cooked to tender perfection with a slight smokiness and sweet balance. The root beer BBQ sauce is perfect on top of the tender pork. The kale chips are crispy with a smokey/sweet flavor. I can’t wait to make these again!

If you’re looking for easy dinner ideas, I highly suggest giving one of these pork recipes a try. They’re packed with flavor and I guarantee your family will love them. Happy Pinching!