Description
A quick and flavorful pork tenderloin recipe with garlic, soy sauce, and honey, ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for a fast, satisfying weeknight dinner with crispy edges and juicy centers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 5 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium optional)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the pork tenderloin and cut into roughly 1-inch bite-sized cubes. Mince garlic cloves.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Add pork bites in a single layer without crowding. Sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a golden crust, then toss and cook another 3-4 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through.
- Lower heat to medium. Push pork to one side of the pan and add minced garlic to the empty space. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then mix garlic with pork.
- Sprinkle smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt over pork. Stir to coat evenly.
- Pour in soy sauce and honey. Toss pork bites frequently to glaze and caramelize the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until pork is cooked through and sauce is glossy.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top, toss once more, and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure crispy edges. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Lower heat when adding garlic and sauce to prevent burning. Let pork rest a minute off heat before serving. For a leaner option, use avocado or neutral oil instead of olive oil. Variations include adding red pepper flakes for spice or vegetables like bell peppers and snap peas in the last 3 minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 35
Keywords: garlic pork bites, quick pork recipe, savory pork, weeknight dinner, easy pork tenderloin, garlic pork, honey soy pork