The Foolproof Guide to Cooking Juicy Frozen Pork Tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi
As a busy home cook with a Ninja Foodi multi-cooker, I rely on frozen pork tenderloin to put easy, delicious dinners on the table quickly. With just a few simple tricks, the Ninja Foodi can turn frozen pork tenderloin into a perfectly cooked, mouthwatering meal in under 30 minutes.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my best tips and step-by-step instructions for using the Ninja Foodi to cook frozen pork tenderloin so it turns out moist, flavorful and delicious every time
Here’s what I’ll cover:
- How to Select the Best Frozen Pork Tenderloin
- Necessary Ninja Foodi Accessories and Tools
- Thawing and Preparing the Pork
- Step-by-Step Ninja Foodi Cooking Instructions
- Internal Temperature and Doneness
- Letting It Rest and Slicing
- Flavoring Ideas and Serving Suggestions
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Follow these easy Ninja Foodi cooking steps, and you’ll be enjoying tender, juicy pork tenderloin in no time! Let’s get started.
How to Select the Best Frozen Pork Tenderloin
The key to delicious results starts with choosing high-quality frozen pork tenderloin. When selecting tenderloin, look for:
- Uniform shape with trimmed silverskin
- Minimal marbling and fat
- No signs of freezer burn
- Vacuum-sealed packaging
Opt for tenderloins around 1-1.5 lbs, the perfect size for even cooking in the Ninja Foodi. Larger cuts may require adjustment to the cooking time.
Necessary Ninja Foodi Accessories and Tools
Cooking frozen pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi is simple with just a few handy accessories:
- Ninja Foodi 5-6 quart pressure cooker pot
- Ninja Foodi deluxe reversible rack
- Ninja Foodi 4-qt cook & crisp basket
- Instant-read thermometer
The rack elevates the pork for crisping while the basket is perfect for air frying it to golden perfection.
Thawing and Preparing the Pork
For best results, thaw frozen pork tenderloin overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. This allows it to cook more evenly.
Remove thawed pork from packaging and pat dry. Trim off any excess fat or silver skin. Season all over with salt, pepper and any additional seasonings.
Step-by-Step Ninja Foodi Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps:
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Pre-heat Ninja Foodi on Bake/Air Fry, 400°F.
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Place seasoned pork on deluxe reversible rack in pot.
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Pressure cook 5 minutes then quick release pressure.
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Carefully remove pork, transfer to air fry basket.
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Air fry 16-20 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until 145°F.
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Let rest 3 minutes then slice into medallions.
It’s that easy to achieve tender pork perfection! The initial pressure cooking kickstarts the cooking process while the air fryer crisps up the exterior.
Internal Temperature and Doneness
Always use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness, as pork needs to reach a safe internal temperature of 145°F. This ensures any bacteria are killed while keeping the pork juicy.
If under 145°F, return to Ninja Foodi for additional air frying. For well-done pork, cook to 160°F.
Letting It Rest and Slicing
Letting the pork rest after cooking is crucial. Resting for at least 3 minutes allows juices to redistribute so they don’t run out when sliced.
For easy slicing, use a sharp knife to cut the pork into medallions. Cut against the grain for the most tender texture.
Flavoring Ideas and Serving Suggestions
Brush cooked pork medallions with barbecue sauce, chimichurri or maple dijon glaze for extra flavor. Or serve sliced pork drizzled with pan juices from the Ninja Foodi.
Delicious sides include roasted potatoes, sauteed spinach, roasted carrots and buttery dinner rolls.
For easy meal-prepping, slice extra pork tenderloin into portions for quick weekday lunches. Reheat in the microwave or Ninja Foodi.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
It’s easy to dry out pork tenderloin if you don’t follow proper technique. Avoid these mistakes:
- Not thawing pork completely before cooking
- Overcrowding pot during pressure cooking
- Pressure cooking too long
- Air frying at too high temperature
- Skipping resting period before slicing
By sidestepping these errors, your Ninja Foodi frozen pork tenderloin will turn out perfect every time.
Now you have all the secrets for cooking frozen pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi for delicious results with minimal effort. This versatile kitchen multi-cooker makes it so easy to prep juicy, tender pork for any night of the week.
Frozen pork loin in Instant Pot
These are the ingredients you’ll need to get it nice and flavorful:
- If you have an Instant Pot, I strongly advise you to get a nonstick pot.
- Pork loin – this one was 2 lbs.
- Soy sauce
- Sherry cooking wine
- Vegetable oil
- Minced onion
- Garlic powder
- Beef broth or water
- Cinnamon is optional
Timing is based on our Instant Pot cooking times.
Can you cook a frozen pork loin?
I did wonder what the best way to cook it would be. You don’t have to defrost pork first before cooking it in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, or in an Instant Pot. It’s safe to do so!!
- It’s possible that the cooking time will be about 50% longer. The best way to cook frozen pork roasts is at 325 degrees F in the oven. Cooking frozen pork in a slow cooker is not recommended.
- When you use a pressure cooker, the insides can get nice and tender without the outside getting too done.
If you’ve ever cooked a thawed Instant Pot pork tenderloin, you know how good it is. BUT, sometimes we forget to prep meat in the morning. Guilty as charged.
Frozen pork loin in the Ninja Foodi 11 in 1
FAQ
Can you cook pork tenderloin from frozen?
Can you cook a frozen pork loin in an air fryer?
Can I cook meat from frozen in Ninja Foodi?
How to cook pork tenderloin on Ninja foodi?
Select the “Pressure Cook” function on the Ninja Foodi and set the cooking time to 3 minutes per pound of pork tenderloin. Add the olive oil to the Foodi’s cooking pot and heat it on the “Sear/Sauté” function. Once the oil is hot, sear the seasoned pork tenderloin on all sides until browned. This step adds a wonderful crust and seals in the juices.
Can you cook frozen pork loin in Ninja foodi?
Yes, you can cook frozen pork loin in the Ninja Foodi. However, keep in mind that it will take longer to cook compared to thawed pork loin. Increase the cooking time by approximately 50% when cooking from frozen.
How do you Pressure Cook pork tenderloin in a ninja cooker?
Load them into the Ninja cooking pot along with your seasonings and stir. Pour in apple cider and then place the pork tenderloin over. Pressure cook for 5 minutes, followed by another 5 minutes of natural pressure release. After manually releasing the pressure remove the liquid and put to one side.
How long to pressure cook pork loin in Ninja foodi?
The cooking time for pork loin in the Ninja Foodi can vary depending on the size and thickness of the meat. As a general guideline, pressure cook a pork loin for 20 minutes per pound of meat. For example, a 2-pound pork loin would require approximately 40 minutes of pressure cooking time.