Pork Tenderloin With Cherry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes & Chili Roasted Carrots

What You’ll Need

For the Pork

• 1–1¼ lbs pasture raised pork tenderloin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & black pepper

Sweet & Smoky Seasoning

• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder

Mashed Potatoes

• 1½ lbs Yukon gold or russet potatoes
• 2 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup sour cream
• Salt & pepper
• Splash of milk (optional)

Chili Roasted Carrots

• 1 lb carrots, cut into diagonal pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• ½ tsp chili flakes (adjust to preference)

Cherry Sauce

• ¼ cup cherry preserves or cherry jam
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp butter
• Pinch reserved seasoning mix
• Salt & pepper to taste

Let’s Cook

1. Prep the Oven

Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Start the Potatoes

Cut potatoes into chunks. Place into salted water and bring to a boil. Cook 15–18 minutes until fork tender. Drain and keep warm.

3. Roast the Carrots

Toss carrots with: olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet. Roast for 10 minutes before adding the pork.

4. Season & Roast the Pork

Pat pork dry. Rub with olive oil. Combine: smoked paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season pork generously with salt and pepper. Rub seasoning mixture all over pork, reserving a small pinch for the sauce. Place pork onto the baking sheet with carrots. Roast 18–22 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F. The pork should remain juicy with only slight blush in the center.  Rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.

5. Finish the Carrots

Remove carrots from oven. Toss with chili flakes.

6. Make the Cherry Sauce

In a small saucepan combine: cherry jam, vinegar, reserved seasoning pinch. Warm for about 1 minute. Whisk in butter until glossy. Season lightly with salt and pepper. The cherry sauce creates the sweet-savory contrast that makes this dish stand out.

7. Mash the Potatoes

Mash potatoes with: butter, and sour cream. Add a splash of milk if needed. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Plate & Serve

Spread mashed potatoes onto plates. Top with sliced pork. Drizzle generously with cherry sauce. Serve with chili roasted carrots alongside.