Pork Bites and gravy are made with the pork tenderloin and take 20 minutes to prepare with budget-friendly, simple pantry ingredients! Serve as a appetizer or easy weeknight dinner and customize with your favorite spices and seasonings.
Pork bites made with the tenderloin is a comforting and delicious meal that's perfect for any night of the week. With tender pork, flavorful seasonings, and a velvety gravy, it's one the whole family will love!
Besides being delicious, a big bonus for this meal is the cost. Pork tenderloin is a cheap cut that when cooked properly, yields an incredible, tender piece of meat! At our store, it cost $1.99 a pound!
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Serve pork bites over Whipped Mashed Potatoes and a ladle of that good good gravy and you'll be in dinner heaven!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food Heaven: It's wholesome and classic comfort food. It'll be an instant family favorite!
- Tender and Juicy Meat: Pork tenderloin is known for its tenderness and juiciness. When cooked properly, tenderloin bites are succulent and have a ton of great flavor.
- Budget Friendly: Pork tenderloin is a very affordable protein option and the remaining ingredients are likely in your refrigerator or pantry.
- Simple and Easy Recipe: Despite its delicious flavor, it's also easy to prepare with just a few ingredients and simple cooking techniques. It's perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Pork Tenderloin: Cut into 1-inch cubes, pork cubes are star of the show, providing lean and tender meat that's full of flavor.
- Seasonings: A blend of herbs and spices adds depth and complexity.
- Flour: Helps create a crispy exterior for the meat chunks and thickens the gravy.
- Butter: Helps caramelize the exterior of the pork and adds richness and flavor to the gravy.
- Milk: Provides creaminess to the gravy and balances out the savory flavors.
- Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor and savory notes to the gravy base.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up the dish with a hint of acidity, balancing the richness of the gravy.
Tools You'll Need
How to Make Pork Bites
- Cut pork tenderloin into 1-inch cubes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence, and 1 tablespoon of the flour. Toss the pork pieces with the seasoning blend in a large bowl.
- Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned pork cubes in a single layer. Sear on all sides until they're golden brown and an internal temperature of 145°F is reached. This should take about 4-5 minutes. Don't overcrowd the pan. Work in batches if needed. Transfer the browned pork bites pan to a serving dish and set aside.
- For the gravy, sprinkle the remaining flour into the pan, scraping up any solid bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk, broth, and lemon juice. Bring the sauce to a boil. Once boiling, turn to medium heat and simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve the pork tenderloin bites alongside the gravy to be drizzled on top or served on the side in small bowls for dipping.
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Marinating: For extra flavor, marinate the pork tenderloin in your favorite seasoning blend for 1-2 hours before cooking.
- Cooking Fat: Olive oil, avocado, canola, or vegetable oil can be used in place of butter if desired.
- Seasoning: Feel free to customize the seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor or a dash of cayenne pepper for heat. Fresh thyme can add a delicious flavor to the gravy. A dash of Worcestershire sauce can give you a quick fix of umami.
- Meat Options: Substitute tenderloin with pork loin tips, boneless pork chops, or chicken breast for a variation.
- Gluten-Free: To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for coating the meat cubes and thickening the gravy.
- Garlic Pork Bites Variation: Make garlic butter pork bites by sautéing 2-3 minced garlic cloves in the butter after you've removed the bites and before adding the flour for the gravy.
What to Serve with Pork Cubes and Gravy
This main dish pairs well with a variety of sides! Whipped Mashed Potatoes are my go-to starch, but rice or egg noodles are also excellent! Other vegetable side dish recipes that add freshness, crunch, and color are my Easy Cooked Vegetables, Crispy Green Beans, or a simple side salad.
Storage
For the Fridge: Store leftover pork cubes and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
For the Freezer: You can freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute pork tenderloin with chicken breast, pork loin, or even beef steak.
To ensure the pork is cooked properly, it's essential to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) then rest for a minimum of 3 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature and avoid overcooking, as pork tenderloin can dry out if cooked too long.
Yes, you can adjust the thickness of the gravy to your preference. If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can simmer it uncovered for a longer period or add a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken it. If you prefer a thinner gravy, you can add more chicken broth or milk to the mixture.
Yes, you can use different types of flour for coating the pork, such as all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or gluten-free flour. Just keep in mind that different types of flour may yield slightly different textures in the final dish.
To prevent the gravy from becoming lumpy, make sure to whisk the flour into the melted butter thoroughly to create a smooth roux. Gradually add the chicken broth and milk while whisking continuously to prevent clumps from forming. If lumps do occur, you can strain the gravy through a fine mesh sieve to remove them.
More Delicious Pork Recipes
- Creamy Garlic Pork Chops
- Easy Slow Cooker Pork Roast
- Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs
- Juicy Pork Chops
Pork Bites and Gravy
Ingredients
- 2-2 ½ pounds pork tenderloin cut into 1-inch squares
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning
- 3 tablespoon s flour divided
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence, and 1 tablespoon of the flour. Toss the pork pieces with the seasoning blend in a large bowl.
- Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned pork cubes in a single layer. Sear on all sides until they're golden brown and an internal temperature of 145°F is reached. This should take about 4-5 minutes. Don't overcrowd the pan. Work in batches if needed. Transfer the browned pork bites pan to a serving dish and set aside.
- For the gravy, sprinkle the remaining flour into the pan, scraping up any solid bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk, broth, and lemon juice. Bring the sauce to a boil. Once boiling, turn to medium heat and simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve the pork tenderloin bites alongside the gravy to be drizzled on top or served on the side in small bowls for dipping.
Video
Notes
-
- Marinating: For extra flavor, marinate the pork tenderloin in your favorite seasoning blend for 1-2 hours before cooking.
-
- Fat Source: Olive oil, avocado, canola, or vegetable oil can be used in place of butter if desired.
-
- Seasoning: Feel free to customize the seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor or a dash of cayenne pepper for heat. Fresh thyme can add a delicious flavor to the gravy. A dash of Worcestershire sauce can give you a quick fix of umami.
-
- Meat Options: Substitute pork tenderloin with pork loin tips, boneless pork chops, or chicken breast for a variation.
-
- Gluten-Free: To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for coating the pork and thickening the gravy.
-
- Garlic Pork Bites Variation: Make garlic butter pork bites by sautéing 2-3 minced garlic cloves in the butter after you've removed the pork bites and before adding the flour for the gravy.
Lindsay
I always love finding new ways to eat pork tenderloin and this one has become one of my favorites! It's so delicious! Thank you for sharing this with us!!
Laura Ashley
You’re very welcome! I’m so happy you like it too! THANK YOU!