Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Teriyaki is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners when I need something fast, tender, and full of flavor. It only takes about 30 minutes of actual cooking in the electric pressure cooker, and the result is juicy, flavorful pork that the whole family enjoys. Kid-tested and approved — my little one gave it a 6 out of 7 on the kid-o-meter.
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Teriyaki
I’ve been leaning heavily into quick dinners lately as my schedule has filled up. Between work and family life, having reliable, fast meals is essential. The Instant Pot has been a game changer for weeknight cooking — it shortens cooking time while producing great results with minimal fuss.
I keep a rotation of simple, dependable recipes that I can throw together without much thought or prep. This teriyaki pork tenderloin is a perfect example: only a handful of ingredients, straightforward steps, and it pairs beautifully with steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal.
This recipe is essentially a three-ingredient masterpiece if you count oil, pork, and teriyaki sauce, plus a few finishing touches. If you also have a rice cooker, it becomes almost entirely “dump and go.” You can even prepare most of the cleanup before dinner is served, which cuts down on the post-meal mess significantly. The pot-in-pot method works well too if you want to cook rice inside the Instant Pot while the pork cooks.
If you prefer homemade teriyaki, a simple mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a little mirin or rice vinegar works great. For convenience, store-bought teriyaki sauces are easy to use — if the sauce is very thick, thin it with a splash of water so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom of the cooker.
This dish is versatile: you can cut the tenderloin lengthwise or into medallions, and you can cook multiple tenderloins at once — the Instant Pot handles larger quantities very well with only minor adjustments to seasoning or sauce volume.
Common Reader Questions
Q: How do you cut your tenderloin?
A: You can slice the tenderloin however you prefer. I often cut it lengthwise for faster, even cooking, but cutting into medallions or leaving whole also works.
Q: Can I cook more than one pork tenderloin at a time?
A: Yes. You may need to increase the amount of sauce or marinade, but the Instant Pot will cook multiple tenderloins in roughly the same amount of time, making it great for feeding a crowd.
Hungry for more? Asian-inspired ideas
- Honey pecan shrimp
- Thai-spiced tonkatsu
- Pork tenderloin sliders
- Mongolian beef
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Teriyaki
Quick, flavorful pork tenderloin cooked in an electric pressure cooker. This teriyaki pork is tender, juicy, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil (canola or similar)
- 2 pork tenderloins, halved lengthwise or cut into medallions
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups teriyaki sauce (if thick, thin with a little water to prevent burning)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Season the pork with salt and pepper. Set the Instant Pot to sauté and heat the oil. When hot, brown the tenderloins a few minutes per side, working in batches if needed, until nicely seared.
- Place the browned tenderloins in the Instant Pot and pour the teriyaki sauce evenly over the top.
- Close and seal the lid. Set the pot to Manual or Pressure Cook for 20 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally for best texture. Once pressure is fully released, open the lid and slice the meat.
- Serve with jasmine rice and steamed broccoli. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Tips and Variations
If you prefer a thicker glaze, remove the meat after cooking and simmer the sauce in sauté mode for a few minutes to reduce it slightly, then return the pork to the pot to coat. For a lighter option, use a low-sodium teriyaki or dilute with water. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 3–4 days and reheat gently in a skillet or microwave. You can also swap pork tenderloin for chicken breasts or thighs; reduce pressure time accordingly for different cuts.
Nutrition Information (estimate)
Yield: 6 | Serving Size: 1
Amount per serving (estimate): Calories: 196; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 21mg; Sodium: 3748mg; Carbohydrates: 17g; Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 14g; Protein: 14g.
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.