Jalapeño-Orange Pork Tenderloin With Snap Peas

Published April 23, 2024

Jalapeño-Orange Pork Tenderloin With Snap Peas
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
1 hour
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Rating
5(1,020)
Comments
Read comments

This lively sheet-pan dinner is inspired by the punchy and bright flavors of mojo and ceviche. First, pork tenderloin is coated in a combination of brown sugar, garlic, jalapeños and orange zest before it’s baked. (To save time, use a mini food processor to chop, and marinate the pork, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 day.) While the pork’s resting, snap peas cook on the sheet pan until crisp-tender. To finish, top the surprisingly juicy pork and snap peas with orange segments that have been dressed in more of the jalapeño-garlic mixture, then serve with roasted potatoes or rice to soak up all of the citrusy sauce. (Jalapeños lose a lot of their kick when cooked, but if you have especially spicy peppers or are sensitive to heat, remove the seeds before chopping.)

  • 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.
    Subscribe
  • Print Options


Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • 3tablespoons brown sugar
  • 5garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3jalapeños, finely chopped (seeds removed, if desired)
  • 1large orange
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
  • 2pork tenderloins (2 to 2½ pounds total), silver skin removed (see Tip), patted dry
  • 1lime
  • 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
  • 1pound snap peas
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

317 calories; 11 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 11 grams sugars; 38 grams protein; 713 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
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Arrange a rack in the bottom third of the oven and heat to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, garlic, jalapeño and the zest of the orange. Season with salt and pepper.

  2. Step 2

    Place the pork tenderloins on a parchment-lined sheet pan and season generously with salt (about 2 ½ teaspoons) and pepper. Rub the pork all over with about three-quarters of the jalapeño mixture; reserve the rest. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 140 degrees, 20 to 25 minutes. (The pork will continue to cook as it rests.)

  3. Step 3

    Meanwhile, cut off the top and bottom of the orange and set down on one of the cut sides. Follow the curve of the fruit to cut away the peel and pith. Squeeze the peels into the remaining jalapeño mixture to get out any juice. Thinly slice the orange into bite-size pieces. Transfer the fruit and any juice on the cutting board to the bowl. Zest and juice the lime into the jalapeño-orange mixture, stir in the cilantro leaves and stems and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

  4. Step 4

    Transfer the pork to a cutting board to rest for at least 5 minutes. Add the snap peas and remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the sheet pan, season with salt and toss to coat. (Don’t worry about any burnt bits on the parchment.) Roast until bright green and plump, 5 to 7 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    Thinly slice the pork and serve with the snap peas topped with the oranges and plenty of the sauce from the bowl.

Tip
  • To remove the silver skin, a tough connective tissue, without cutting off too much meat, locate the white, shiny membrane and insert your knife at one edge of the silver skin to cut between the skin and the meat, creating a flap to hold onto. Pulling the flap of silver skin tight with your nondominant hand, continue to slice along the length of the skin until you’ve removed and released all the silver skin.

Ratings

5 out of 5
1,020 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

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

Comments

Took a chance on this recipe as it looked delicious and very happy I did!! Followed the recipe exactly as written as I didn't want to rate until I tried the original. I did take the marinade ingredients and chopped them in my mini processor. I marinated the pork for about an hour. Cooked as directed (it was just under 25 minutes) and then rested. Served with rice. The pork was juicy, and the sauce brought it all together. Delicious! Will definitely make again - company worthy!!

Very good, 5 stars. The recipe doesn't mention marinating the pork, but the into does. If you decide to marinate, remember to keep back 1/4, to be used a dressing at the end.

Fantastic recipe! Some tips based on some comments I’ve seen: 1. It really is important to remove the silver, transparent-y skin. It’s rare that it’s fully removed. It’s flavorless and keeps seasoning and marinade from properly reaching meat. 2. Pork tenderloin should be tenderized. You don’t have to hammer it flat like you would a chicken breast but you should really beat it up some, so it’s much more oblong than round. 3. Definitely marinate! 4. Reverse sear the loins for texture.

The seeds of jalapeño (indeed of any pepper) are not where the piquancy is found. No need to deseed if what you want is bland. Indeed, seeds take the edge off.

This meal is worth the work it takes. The orange and ginger provide great flavors for the pork. The only downside was the snap peas. The ones I used had a significant stringy spine that I should have removed before cooking. Alternatively, net time I will try snow peas. I think they will cook up nicer for the recipe.

Brilliant recipe! Marinated overnight as suggested (put 1/4 cup aside for the sauce). The combo of citrus and jalapeno was delicious. Also loved the bright and fresh sauce. This is a keeper for sure!

Private comments are only visible to you.

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.