Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Glaze
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This pork tenderloin recipe with a sweet mustard glaze is an easy, elegant way to turn any night into a special occasion—weeknight dinners included!
Adapted from cookbook author and food columnist Marian Burros’ 5-star mustard-glazed pork tenderloin—first featured in The New York Times in 1989—this marinated and sear-roasted dish is perfect for both fancy weeknight dinners and special occasions. The marinade, a simple blend of mustard, brown sugar, rosemary, and sherry, infuses the tenderloin with a savory-sweet flavor while doubling as the base for a rich sauce.
Serve it alongside mashed sweet potatoes and French green beans for an effortlessly elegant meal.
“I made this for Christmas Eve dinner and doubled the recipe. It’s Christmas Day and my family is still talking about last night’s meal.”
What You’ll Need To Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Glaze
- Pork Tenderloins: Lean, tender, and perfect for marinating and roasting, tenderloins cook quickly but require care to avoid drying out. Each loin weighs about 1 pound, so you’ll need 2 of them.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that balances the tangy mustard and rich sherry.
- Grainy Dijon Mustard: Delivers bold flavor and texture in both the marinade and sauce.
- Dry Sherry: A fortified wine with a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth to the dish.
- Fresh Rosemary: Provides earthy, aromatic notes that complement the pork.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the pork and enhancing the flavors of the marinade and sauce.
- Vegetable Oil: Used to sear the tenderloins to a golden-brown crust.
- Unsalted Butter: Finishes the sauce, creating a smooth, velvety texture.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk the brown sugar, mustard, sherry, and rosemary.
Place the tenderloins in a dish, season with salt, and coat with one-third of the marinade. Marinate for 1 hour or overnight. Refrigerate the remaining marinade to use as the sauce base.
Heat the oil in a large cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add both tenderloins. Sear on all sides until nicely browned, then transfer the skillet to a preheated 350°F-oven and cook until the pork registers about 140°F on an instant-read thermometer, 12 to 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, pour the remaining marinade into a small skillet and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. 
Remove the pan from the heat and, stirring constantly, incorporate the butter one piece at a time. This technique is known as “mounting.” Add ⅛ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the tenderloins to a cutting board. Tent with foil and let rest for about 10 minutes, then slice.
Arrange the sliced tenderloin on a platter and drizzle with a bit of the sauce; pass the remaining sauce at the table.
Video Tutorial
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Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Glaze
This easy pork tenderloin recipe combines savory-sweet flavors and a rich sauce—perfect for both weeknight meals and entertaining.
Ingredients
- 2 pork tenderloins (1¾ to 2 lbs total)
- ½ cup (packed) light brown sugar
- ½ cup grainy Dijon mustard (such as Maille Rich Country Dijon Mustard Blend or Grey Poupon Country Dijon)
- ½ cup dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for cooking
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces
Instructions
- Pat the tenderloins dry with paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, mustard, sherry, and rosemary.
- Place the tenderloins in a baking dish or bowl. Season all over with 1¼ teaspoons salt and pour about one-third of the marinade over top. Turn the tenderloins a few times to coat evenly with the marinade. Marinate for at least 1 hour or as long as overnight (the longer, the better). Cover the remaining marinade and refrigerate until ready to use (it will form the base of the sauce).
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- Heat the oil in a large cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat (see note below if you don't have one of these pans). Add both tenderloins and sear on all sides until nicely browned, 6 to 8 minutes (don't move the tenderloins around between turns; they will brown better if left alone). Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the pork registers about 140°F on an instant-read thermometer, 12 to 15 minutes. (To check for doneness without a thermometer, make a slit in the thickest part of the loin; the meat should be mostly white with a slight hint of pale pink, and the juices should run mostly clear.)
- Remove the skillet from the oven and immediately place an oven mitt or dishtowel over the handle to remind yourself that it is hot (it is easy to forget and burn yourself!). Transfer the tenderloins to a cutting board. Tent with foil and let rest for about 10 minutes, then cut into ¼- to ½-inch slices.
- Meanwhile, pour the remaining marinade into a small skillet and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and, stirring constantly, incorporate the butter one piece at a time. Add ⅛ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Arrange the sliced tenderloin on a platter and drizzle with a bit of the sauce; pass the remaining sauce at the table.
- Note: If you don't have an oven-proof skillet, transfer the pork to a foil-lined sheet pan after searing. (The foil is just for easy cleanup.) You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time.
- Note: The nutritional information includes all of the ingredients for the marinade, so one serving is likely significantly lower in calories and fat than the numbers below.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 336
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Sugar: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Sodium: 438 mg
- Cholesterol: 111 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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I made this for Christmas because I wanted something easy. I normally hate pork tenderloin as it’s too meaty and lean, but this recipe came out delicious and everyone raved about it. I usually make turkey or beef ribeye roast and this was just as good and so much easier. The only change I made is using marsala wine since I didn’t have dry sherry. Still came out perfect.
I made this for Christmas Eve dinner for 8 and doubled the recipe. It’s Christmas Day and my family is still talking about last night’s meal. Another delicious winner. Thanks Jenn!
Hi Jenn. Made this dish exactly as written, marinaded it for 30 hrs, took off the wrap, and had myself a smell. Not so good. Decided to cook it anyway as it was too late to change course. OMG, it was sooooo flavorful, tender, and juicy. You never disappoint!!! Served it with your Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and Green Bean Gremolata. What a hit! Thank you once again!
I agree with all the other 5 star reviews! Spectacular recipe and sauce. I am going to make the sauce for our Christmas Eve Rack of Pork dinner, and serve it on the side.
Made this as directed. A hit with our guests! The pork was so tender and the sauce is delicious 😋. And so easy to prepare. Thank you!
Hi! Is there any alternative for dry Sherry? In case I cannot find it.
Thank you!
Hi Sophia, You can use white wine, apple cider, or apple juice. Enjoy!
Do you think the mustard sauce would work for a glaze on a spiral ham or do you think it would be too much? We love it on the pork, but most of my family would like ham for Christmas as the leftovers are great to have on hand. Thank you!
I think it would be delicious!
Quick easy and delicious. Modified it just a twinge with adding a few sprinkles of onion powder and a hint of garlic powder when you salt and pepper the pork loin before searing it. Thank you for your sharing this nice recipe.
Hi Jenn, going to try this recipe in the next day or two. Can I substitute red wine for the sherry? Don’t have any and can’t get out to get some. Sounds awesome, can’t wait to make it
Hi Trish, Do you have white wine? If not, some other substitutes are apple cider or apple juice.
Jen, I saw this recipe and it sounded so yummy that I ran out and bought pork tenderloins.
Did not disappoint. The pork was absolutely delish. Thought it might be too sweet but not at all. Definitely company worthy!
Served with red skin mashed potatoes and a salad. Outstanding!
Very delicious recipe! Your recipes never disappoint me! Will be making it again and again!
Easy and oh so flavorful!! This looks difficult but comes together in a snap. Easy to marinate in the morning and cooks up in 30 minutes in the evening.