Rum-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Caribbean Sweet Potatoes
Tender pork tenderloin glazed with a warm rum sauce served alongside sweet potatoes roasted with Caribbean spices for a flavorful meal. This Caribbean recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs pork tenderloin, brown sugar, dark rum 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
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 2 large (about 2 lbs) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 large peeled and cubed sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs) with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground allspice, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, season 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides for 2-3 minutes until browned.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 cup dark rum, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Pour mixture over the pork tenderloin and transfer skillet to the oven. Roast for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F, basting pork with glaze halfway through.
- Step 4: Remove pork from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve slices drizzled with the rum glaze alongside the spiced roasted sweet potatoes for a warm, aromatic Caribbean-inspired dinner.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Spiced Caribbean Sweet Potatoes 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 Spiced Caribbean Sweet Potatoes?
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 Spiced Caribbean Sweet Potatoes?
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 Spiced Caribbean Sweet Potatoes 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 Spiced Caribbean Sweet Potatoes?
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
- ★★★★★
Cooked this for a Friday night feast; the spices in the sweet potatoes made it feel like a vacation.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Simple but packed with flavor—my husband even asked for leftovers.
- ★★★★★
The rum glaze was perfect—my family kept asking for seconds on the sweet potatoes! Best Caribbean dinner yet.








