Pork Tenderloin Stuffed With Herbs and Capers

Pork Tenderloin Stuffed With Herbs and Capers
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
5(1,183)
Comments
Read comments

Pork tenderloin is a lean cut that can easily dry out. But stuffing it with herbs, shallots and capers helps keep it nice and juicy as it roasts in a hot oven, and tying up the meat so it’s the same thickness all over helps it cook evenly. After the pork is roasted, the drippings are simmered with orange juice, garlic and a little wine to make a quick, gently sweet pan sauce that goes wonderfully well with the meat. Serve with polenta, crusty bread or rice to soak up the sauce. 

Featured in: Putting the Tender in Pork Tenderloin

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • pounds pork tenderloin
  • 1teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
  • ½teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4shallots, minced
  • tablespoons minced capers, plus a splash of their liquid
  • teaspoons chopped sage
  • teaspoons chopped rosemary
  • teaspoons chopped thyme, more for serving
  • 1garlic clove, finely grated or minced
  • 1tablespoon dry white wine or vermouth (or use more stock)
  • ¼cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • ¼cup pork, chicken or other meat stock
  • 1 to 2tablespoons butter
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

433 calories; 22 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 14 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 43 grams protein; 731 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 375 degrees. Slice pork tenderloin lengthwise to butterfly it, but don't quite slice all the way through: The 2 pieces should remain attached. Season with salt and pepper, then let sit while you prepare filling.

  2. Step 2

    In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Stir in shallots, ½ tablespoon capers, 2 teaspoons sage, 1 teaspoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Stirring frequently, cook until shallots start to brown, about 5 minutes, then stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. (Adjust heat if necessary to prevent burning.) Transfer to a plate to cool slightly. Wipe out skillet and reserve.

  3. Step 3

    Spread cooled filling evenly on pork, then close pork, along the hinge, like a book. Then fold the thinner end up against the thicker portion so that pork is the same width all over. Tie with kitchen twine at 1½-inch intervals.

  4. Step 4

    In the same skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat until oil is hot but not smoking. Place tenderloin seam-side up in the skillet, then transfer to oven and roast for 15 minutes. Flip pork over and continue roasting until meat reaches 140 to 145 degrees in the center, about 10 minutes longer. Transfer meat to a cutting board to rest; reserve skillet and juices.

  5. Step 5

    While the meat rests, make the sauce: Heat skillet over medium-high heat, then stir in vermouth and the remaining ½ teaspoon each sage, rosemary and thyme, scraping up the browned bits on bottom of pan. Cook until vermouth is almost evaporated, then add orange juice and stock, and cook over medium-high heat until thickened and syrupy. Whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons capers, their liquid and the butter; season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce tastes too sweet, add a squeeze of lemon juice.

  6. Step 6

    To serve, slice pork into ½-inch-thick slices and top with sauce and fresh thyme.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
1,183 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

I made this and it was delicious. I just have one comment about the quantity of ingredients used in recipes in many books, blogs and other sources. This recipe called for four shallots. Since shallots (and garlic and onions) vary so much in size, it would be really helpful, especially for novice cooks, if the ingredient specification called for two tablespoons (or whatever quantity) of mince shallots, garlic or onions.

I've been stuffing pork (and beef) loins for many years and I'm adding this one to the list. My current favorite stuffing uses long strips of fresh pineapple, shaved fennel, and sliced almonds that I mist with oil, dust with cinnamon, then roast on a sheet pan. I also love using peeled, sliced apples, grated Gruyere and fresh mint leaves.

Pork tenderloin is a perfect candidate for sous vide. Stuff and tie it. Use your sous vide gadget and cook to 135 degrees. Then brown it in a hot pan. Almost fool proof, even the ends are done perfectly.

I've made this a few times and it's always a win. I never have vermouth (because I'm a vodka only in my martini girl) so I've used red wine, dry white wine but tonight I used vodka and we think it's the best. No idea why. I also up the lemon juice which cuts the salt.

I add a layer of roasted peppers on top of the pork and then the stuffing mixture, dried apricots soaked in some hot stock to soften work nicely as well. To properly butterfly the pork you need to make two more long cuts on either side, then cover it with a pice of plastic wrap and pound it out nice and flat. This allows you to roll it jellyroll style before tying it. It makes for a nicer presentation when sliced.

Suggest dialing back on the salt. Capers add plenty salty on their own.

Private comments are only visible to you.

or to save this recipe.