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Pepper-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Goat Cheese

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on June 7, 2015

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Pepper-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Goat Cheese

Ingredients

3 ¼ teaspoons coarsely ground pepper, divided1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary 1 ¼ teaspoons table salt, divided2 (12-ounce) pork tenderloins, trimmed2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 2-inch lengths¼ cup chicken broth 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (½ cup)¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Combine 1 tablespoon pepper, rosemary, and 1 teaspoon salt in bowl. Pat pork dry with paper towels and sprinkle with pepper mixture.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook pork until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer pork to prepared wire rack and roast until 140 degrees, about 15 minutes. Transfer to carving board, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes.
  3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add asparagus, broth, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, covered, until tender, about 5 minutes; transfer asparagus to platter and top with goat cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low, add vinegar to now-empty skillet, and simmer until thickened, scraping up any browned bits, about 1 minute. Off heat, whisk in butter. Slice pork, arrange on platter with asparagus, and drizzle with sauce. Serve.
Pepper-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Goat Cheese
Photography by Keller + Keller. Styling by sally Staub.

Pepper-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus and Goat Cheese

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 ¼ teaspoons coarsely ground pepper, divided
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 ¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
2 (12-ounce) pork tenderloins, trimmed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 2-inch lengths
¼ cup chicken broth
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (½ cup)
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Ingredients

3 ¼ teaspoons coarsely ground pepper, divided
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 ¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
2 (12-ounce) pork tenderloins, trimmed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 2-inch lengths
¼ cup chicken broth
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (½ cup)
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Ingredients

3 ¼ teaspoons coarsely ground pepper, divided
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 ¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
2 (12-ounce) pork tenderloins, trimmed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 2-inch lengths
¼ cup chicken broth
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (½ cup)
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Why This Recipe Works

To build layers of flavor, we cook the asparagus in the flavorful pan drippings the tenderloins leave behind.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Combine 1 tablespoon pepper, rosemary, and 1 teaspoon salt in bowl. Pat pork dry with paper towels and sprinkle with pepper mixture.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook pork until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer pork to prepared wire rack and roast until 140 degrees, about 15 minutes. Transfer to carving board, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes.
  3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add asparagus, broth, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, covered, until tender, about 5 minutes; transfer asparagus to platter and top with goat cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low, add vinegar to now-empty skillet, and simmer until thickened, scraping up any browned bits, about 1 minute. Off heat, whisk in butter. Slice pork, arrange on platter with asparagus, and drizzle with sauce. Serve.

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