Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Tender pork tenderloin glazed with a rich bourbon sauce paired with creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes for a comforting meal. This american-inspired pork ready in about 55 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, bourbon, 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 lb pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 6 cloves garlic cloves
- 2 lbs russet potatoes
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Rub 1 lb pork tenderloin with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear pork for 2 minutes per side until browned. Remove skillet from heat.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup bourbon and 2 tbsp brown sugar until combined. Pour bourbon glaze over pork tenderloin.
- Step 3: Place skillet in the oven and roast pork for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove pork and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, peel 6 garlic cloves and toss them with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt. Wrap in foil and roast in the oven alongside pork for 15 minutes until soft.
- Step 5: Peel and cut 2 lbs russet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1/2 tsp salt and bring to a boil. Cook potatoes for 15 minutes until tender.
- Step 6: Drain potatoes and return to pot. Mash with 4 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup whole milk, and the roasted garlic cloves until creamy and smooth. Adjust salt to taste.
- Step 7: Serve sliced pork tenderloin drizzled with pan glaze alongside roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Mashed 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 Smoky Bourbon-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 Smoky Bourbon-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 Smoky Bourbon-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 Smoky Bourbon-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.
