Smith's Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Herb Rice

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender pork loin glazed with a sweet-spicy sauce, inspired by America's most common surname, served over fragrant herb-infused rice. This one pot-inspired pork ready in about 50 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, olive oil, soy sauce 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 One Pot cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 12 oz pork tenderloin dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear pork for 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  2. Step 2: Whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp dried thyme in a bowl. Pour sauce over seared pork, reduce heat to low, and cover. Simmer gently for 15 minutes until pork reaches 145°F and sauce thickens slightly.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 1 cup white rice and 1.5 cups chicken broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Fluff with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley.
  4. Step 4: Let pork rest 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with herb rice, drizzling any pan sauce over the top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Smith's Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Herb Rice take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Smith's Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Herb Rice?

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 Smith's Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Herb Rice?

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 Smith's Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Herb Rice 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 Smith's Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Herb Rice?

One Pot pork 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.

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