Tart Cherry Date Pork (Printable)

Tender pork roasted with a tangy tart cherry and date glaze delivering rich, balanced flavors with minimal effort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pork

01 - 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin, trimmed
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp kosher salt
04 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Glaze

05 - ½ cup dried tart cherries
06 - 4 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
07 - ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
08 - 2 tbsp honey
09 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - ¼ cup water

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Rub evenly with olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Combine dried tart cherries, chopped Medjool dates, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 7 to 8 minutes until fruit softens and mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and purée until smooth using an immersion or standard blender.
03 - Heat oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until browned.
04 - Brush half of the glaze evenly over the pork. Transfer skillet to the oven and roast for 18 to 22 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
05 - Remove pork from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
06 - Drizzle remaining glaze over sliced pork and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Elegant budget-friendly main dish
  • Complex flavors with minimal effort
02 -
  • Marinate pork in half the glaze for up to 2 hours before cooking for extra flavor
  • Dried cranberries can substitute for tart cherries if unavailable
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure pork is perfectly cooked
  • Sear the pork on all sides to lock in juices
Go Back