The great thing about pork tenderloin is that it’s fancy enough for guests, but so easy and quick you can serve it on an ordinary weeknight. Adding mushrooms and a bit of sour cream transforms the pork from plain to elegant. And, it’s done in about twenty minutes or so. There’s very little fussing. The only thing you have to cut up is a few mushrooms (and then slice the pork at the end). You get a rich, creamy sauce boosted by the bite of Dijon mustard and piquant capers —both of which complement the pork beautifully.
Add some rice (I always make extra so I can just reheat it) and a simple salad and you’re ready to eat. In this case, I went with just some spinach and cucumber, topped with baslamic vinaigrette. And now, that I think of it, the balsamic vinaigrette would likely work well with the pork too. That’s really easy!
Make sure to get the pork tenderloin, not a pork loin roast. The tenderloin is long and skinny and weighs about a pound each. You cook it fairly quickly on high heat. Think of it as the filet mignon of pork. The loin roast is closer to a pork version of roast beef. It’s much larger and rounder and you cook it low and slow.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, on to the recipe. This is adapted slightly from an old New York Times Menu cookbook recipe. The recipe in the book called for pork chops (which you can also use if you like). If you do that, cook them 2-4 minutes per side, depending on how thick they are. The original recipe called for a much longer cooking time, but the chops then were much fattier.
Pork Tenderloin with Mushrooms and Sour Cream
Pork tenderloin is fancy enough for guests, but easy and fast enough for an ordinary Tuesday. Done in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 half pork tenderloin (about 4-6 oz)
- 2 1/4 tsp flour
- 1 1/2 tsp butter
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp beef stock
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp capers
- 2-3 mushrooms, sliced (about 1 ounce)
- 3 tsp water
- 2 T sour cream
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small skillet. Add the tenderloin and cook, on medium high heat, turning until the outside browns, about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the flour over the tenderloin, and add the mushrooms. Let cook for a minute, then add the beef stock, mustard, capers, and water.
- Cover, and simmer for 8 minutes, turning the pork occasionally.
- Remove from heat and let the pan rest for five minutes. Stir in the sour cream and heat for a minute on low to warm the sauce.
- Remove from the pan, slice the meat and serve.
Pork Tenderloin with Mushrooms and Sour Cream Substitutions and Variations
- Use pork chops instead of the tenderloin (get the boneless center cut)
- Make it a bit lighter with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
- Add a splash of white wine or Marsala (sweet) wine to the sauce
- Toss in some scallions or some shallots or onions (skip the capers if you do)
More Pork Recipes
Cider Braised Pork Chop with Sauerkraut and Apples
A party for your taste buds. Sure, it’s a bit… monochromatic, but this dish is packed with flavor. The tangy sour kraut is a perfect foil for the sweet cider and apples. And it’s quick too.
Apple Glazed Ham Steak Recipe for One Person
Sure most people see ham steak and think pineapple. This is better. The ham stays firmer, and the glaze is ready in minutes.
Honey Mustard Glazed Spareribs
Tender, succulent, and not too sweet, these ribs are ready in about an hour (they’re boneless). Great for a holiday weekend. And the glaze is a dream.