Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Honey-Spiced Cornbread
Sweet, smoky pork tenderloin paired with golden cornbread spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, finished with a glossy bourbon glaze. This midwestern-inspired sheet pan ready in about 60 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, bourbon, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin
- 3 tbsp bourbon
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat pork tenderloin dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 20-22 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Step 2: While pork cooks, whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Cut 4 tbsp cold butter into flour mixture until crumbly, then stir in 1 cup milk until just combined. Pour into a greased 8x8-inch baking dish and smooth the top.
- Step 3: Whisk bourbon, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Brush half the glaze over the roasted pork and return to oven for 5 minutes to set. Bake cornbread for 25-28 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Honey-Spiced Cornbread take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Honey-Spiced Cornbread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork tenderloin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Honey-Spiced Cornbread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Honey-Spiced Cornbread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Honey-Spiced Cornbread?
Midwestern sheet pan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.