Pork Tenderloin with Gravy

Hearty, savory and satisfying, pork tenderloin with gravy is hard to compete with. This recipe uses brown gravy mix to cut down on prep time, but we’ve also provided an option for homemade gravy among the recipe variations.

Pair this dish with rice, as suggested, or with roasted fingerling potatoes, butternut squash or a simple arugula salad, if you want to go for a lower-carb option.

Ingredients for Pork Tenderloin with Gravy

• Brown gravy mix: Made from the drippings of meat, brown gravy is a wonderful accompaniment for a range of dishes, including meat, mashed potatoes and shepherd’s pie.
• Soy sauce: Not only is soy sauce salty, it also adds a dose of umami, or savory, flavor.
• Balsamic vinegar: The slightly sweet and acidic profile of balsamic vinegar helps balance out the richness in this recipe.
• Garlic: Because the garlic in this recipe is cooked and not raw, it will pack a punch of flavor but won’t overpower the dish.
• Pork tenderloin: At about 28% fat, this cut of pork is relatively low in fat compared with others. It cooks best when it’s seared in a pan and finished off at low to medium heat.
• Olive oil: We recommend using extra virgin olive oil for this recipe because its smoke point is about 325°F, which is the highest of all the olive oil varieties.
• Mushrooms: Opt for button mushrooms or a meatier mushroom like portobello to make this pork tenderloin with gravy and mushrooms.
• Onion: With its slightly sweet and pungent flavor, onion helps balance out the savory, rich flavors of the other ingredients.
• Rice: With its neutral flavor and fluffy texture, any medium or long grain rice will work well here. You can also go for wild rice, which features a nuttier flavor and chewier texture.

Directions

Step 1: Make the gravy

In a small bowl, combine the brown gravy mix, water, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and garlic until blended. Set this aside.

Step 2: Cook the pork

In a large skillet, brown the pork in oil on all sides.

Step 3: Add the mushrooms and onion

Stir the gravy mixture, mushrooms and onion into the skillet, then bring the pan to a boil.

Step 4: Finish cooking and serve

Reduce the heat, cover the skillet and simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat juices run clear and the vegetables are tender. Serve the pork and gravy over rice.

Pork Tenderloin with Gravy Variations

• Use homemade gravy: Using homemade gravy allows you to tailor flavors and textures to your preference, and what’s more, brown gravy freezes well for four to six months.
• Swap the brown gravy for white: Made with butter and milk, white gravy is a different experience altogether. It’s used in dishes like biscuits and sausage gravy, but it would also be delicious here.
• Simmer in some wine: The brown gravy in this recipe can be enhanced by simmering in some red wine. You can also skip the gravy and simply make pork tenderloin with wine sauce.

How to Store Pork Tenderloin with Gravy

First, allow any leftovers to come to room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to five days. You may also choose to store the rice in a separate container so you have the freedom to use it in other recipes, like a quick and easy chicken poke bowl.

Can I freeze pork tenderloin with gravy?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze this recipe. To do so, you may want to store each piece of leftover pork tenderloin in its own container so that when you’re ready to eat it, you only thaw what you need. Placed in an airtight container, pork tenderloin with mushroom gravy can store in the freezer for up to six months. You can also freeze rice in an airtight container for up to six months.

Pork Tenderloin with Gravy Tips

Is it better to cook pork tenderloin fast or slow?

In general, leaner and tougher cuts of meat like pork tenderloin are best cooked fast and hot. This includes searing, roasting at high temps and grilling, to name a few. If you use the low-and-slow method for this category of meat, you’ll get a chalky texture.

What can I put into gravy to make it taste better?

For ideas on how to dress up your gravy and other homemade gravy tips, it helps to identify the cuisine you want to imbibe. For example, French cooking often features ingredients like Dijon mustard, black pepper and thyme.

What is the secret for tender pork loin?

A marinade with an acidic ingredient like vinegar or lemon juice also tenderizes the meat, but it will also infuse it with those flavors. For this reason, we recommend using a brine for this recipe.