Spiced Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa
Juicy pork tenderloin coated in a fragrant coffee and spice rub, oven-roasted and paired with a fresh pineapple salsa. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 40 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, instant coffee granules, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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 tbsp instant coffee granules
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 small, seeded and minced jalapeño
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp instant coffee granules, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the coffee spice rub.
- Step 2: Pat dry 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin and rub all over with 2 tbsp olive oil. Then coat evenly with the coffee spice rub. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Place pork tenderloin on a rimmed baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Step 4: While pork roasts, combine 1 cup diced fresh pineapple, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 small minced seeded jalapeño, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Stir to combine pineapple salsa.
- Step 5: Slice rested pork tenderloin and serve topped with the fresh pineapple salsa for a sweet and spicy contrast.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Spiced Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa?
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 Spiced Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa?
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 Spiced Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa 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 Spiced Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa?
Caribbean 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This became my go-to dinner for guests! The coffee rub melted into the pork beautifully, and the salsa cut through the richness perfectly.
- ★★★★★
My kids asked for seconds on the pineapple salsa alone. The coffee-rub gave the pork an amazing depth I never expected.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect balance of smoky coffee and sweet pineapple salsa. Took a bit longer to cook than noted, but worth it.
