
This dish is like that one friend who never takes more than five minutes to get ready but always looks chic and put-together. While pork tenderloin has many virtues (it’s a quick-cooking and relatively inexpensive lean protein), it often needs some help in the flavor department. We sear the pork first to get a golden brown crust, then add a sweet-meets-sour mix of red wine vinegar and honey to deglaze the pan. While the pork rests fresh cherries have their turn in the pan, giving up their juices, which reduce to a syrupy sauce. Take advantage of cherry season while you can, but you can also substitute whole red grapes in the fall for a twist.
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What you’ll need
Rimmed Baking Sheet
$28 At Amazon
Large Skillet
$90 At Amazon
Tongs
$19 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Place 2 pork tenderloins (about 2 lb. total) on a small rimmed baking sheet and season all over with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 2
Combine ¼ cup honey, ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 cup red wine vinegar in a measuring glass or small bowl and stir to dissolve honey; set aside.
Step 3
Heat 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook tenderloins, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over, 6–8 minutes total. Using tongs, transfer to a large plate.
Step 4
Add remaining 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil to pan and arrange 12 oz. shallots (about 11 medium), peeled, halved lengthwise, or 2 small red onions, quartered, cut side down, in skillet; season with salt. Cook, undisturbed, until beginning to char underneath, about 3 minutes. Scoot shallots to edges of skillet and return tenderloins along with any juices that have collected on plate to pan. Add reserved vinegar mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook, turning pork every few minutes and reducing heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 140° and shallots are tender, 7–12 minutes. Transfer tenderloins to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
Step 5
While pork is resting, add 2 cups pitted fresh (or frozen) sweet cherries (about 10 oz.) to pan and cook, stirring, until cherries are warmed through and sauce is beginning to look syrupy, about 4 minutes (you may need a couple minutes more if using frozen cherries). Remove from heat. Add 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces, and remaining 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar and swirl to combine; season with salt.
Step 6
Slice pork and arrange on a platter or plates. Spoon agrodolce cherries and shallots over.