Spiced Texas Whiskey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

Tender pork tenderloin marinated and glazed with a rich Texas whiskey sauce infused with brown sugar and smoked paprika, delivering a perfect balance of smoky sweetness. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs pork tenderloin, Texas whiskey, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 pounds pork tenderloin
• 1/2 cup Texas whiskey
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup Texas whiskey, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, whisking until sugar dissolves to create the marinade.
2. Step 2: Place 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove pork from marinade, reserving the marinade, and pat dry with paper towels.
4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork tenderloin on all sides for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
5. Step 5: Pour reserved marinade into the skillet, add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, then transfer skillet to the oven.
6. Step 6: Roast pork for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F, basting occasionally with the pan sauce until thickened and glossy.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving with the whiskey glaze spooned over.