Smoked Whiskey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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

Tender pork tenderloin brushed with a smoky whiskey glaze served alongside creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes. This american-inspired pork ready in about 75 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, smoked whiskey, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off 1 whole garlic bulb, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 40 minutes until soft and sweet.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 3 large peeled and quartered russet potatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender, then drain.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup smoked whiskey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp olive oil to make the glaze.
  4. Step 4: Pat dry 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin and place on a baking sheet. Brush half of the whiskey glaze over the pork and roast for 15 minutes at 400°F.
  5. Step 5: Flip the pork, brush with remaining glaze, and roast for another 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove and let rest.
  6. Step 6: Squeeze the softened roasted garlic cloves from the bulb into the drained potatoes. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mash until creamy and smooth.
  7. Step 7: Slice the rested pork tenderloin and serve over a bed of roasted garlic mashed potatoes, drizzling any pan juices on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoked Whiskey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Smoked Whiskey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Mashed 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 Smoked Whiskey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Mashed 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 Smoked Whiskey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Mashed 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 Smoked Whiskey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes?

American 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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