Rum-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Caribbean Sweet Potato Mash
Juicy pork tenderloin brushed with a sweet and tangy rum glaze paired with creamy mashed sweet potatoes spiced with warm island flavors. This caribbean ready in about 55 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, dark rum, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large (about 2 lbs), peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup dark rum, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the rum glaze.
- Step 2: Rub 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin with 2 tbsp olive oil, then brush generously with half of the rum glaze. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Brush the pork again with remaining rum glaze and roast for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove from oven and rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Step 4: While pork roasts, place 2 lbs peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes until tender.
- Step 5: Drain sweet potatoes and mash with 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme until creamy and smooth. Season with salt to taste.
- Step 6: Serve sliced pork tenderloin over a bed of the Caribbean sweet potato mash for a rich and flavorful dinner.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Caribbean Sweet Potato Mash take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Rum-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Caribbean Sweet Potato Mash?
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 Rum-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Caribbean Sweet Potato Mash?
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 Rum-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Caribbean Sweet Potato Mash 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 Rum-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Caribbean Sweet Potato Mash?
Caribbean caribbean 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely amazing! The rum glaze made the pork so tender and flavorful. Perfect for a special dinner.
- ★★★★☆
My family loved the pork, but the sweet potatoes were a little bland for my taste. Next time I'll add more ginger.
- ★★★★☆
The rum glaze was perfect, but the sweet potato mash needed a bit more spice to really capture the Caribbean vibe.