Cocoa Crusted Pork Tenderloin

Cocoa Crusted Pork Tenderloin

4 of 5 (227)
member ratings
Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 4
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 264.0
  • Total Fat: 13.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 89.6 mg
  • Sodium: 66.2 mg
  • Total Carbs: 1.2 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3.4 g
  • Protein: 33.7 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Cocoa Crusted Pork Tenderloin calories by ingredient


Introduction

This dish inspired by Costa Rican spices seems exotic, but it uses spices and ingredients you already have around the house: coffee, cocoa and cinnamon. You'll wonder why you've been relegating these flavorings to dessert! This dish inspired by Costa Rican spices seems exotic, but it uses spices and ingredients you already have around the house: coffee, cocoa and cinnamon. You'll wonder why you've been relegating these flavorings to dessert!
Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

    1 T cocoa powder, unsweetened
    1 t instant coffee
    1/2 t cinnamon, ground
    1/2 t chili powder
    1 T canola oil
    1 lb. (16 oz) pork tenderloin, trimmed of surface fat

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the spices in a small mixing bowl. Trim fat from pork tenderloin and remove the thin silver tendon that may be running down the center of the loin. Rub the tenderloin with the canola oil. Dust the loin with all of the spice mixture. Heat a cast iron or heavy bottom pan to high heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place the tenderloin in the pan and sear on all sides. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Remove the pan from the oven. (Remember the handle will be hot!) Place the meat on a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice. Serve with this mole sauce.

Member Ratings For This Recipe


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    Incredible!
    20 of 20 people found this review helpful
    Made this tonight exactly as recipe is written. Both my husband and I loved it. Easy, quick and tasty. Well written recipe - 11/17/09


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    Incredible!
    13 of 16 people found this review helpful
    YUM, YUM, YUM!!!! My husband and I loved it. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks Chef Meg!!!! - 9/27/09


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    Very Good
    12 of 12 people found this review helpful
    Don't be afraid to try this one. It's tasty, easy, and quick, although I kept the pork in the oven for a bit longer than 15 minutes. It's okay for non-coffee-lovers. There's no strong coffee taste. Even my kids liked it. When I make it again, I'll add a bit more chili powder.We like the heat! Enjoy! - 1/24/10


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    Incredible!
    11 of 11 people found this review helpful
    This was such a suprise, but a good suprise!
    I sauted some onions in the skillet after removing the Pork Loin to rest. Then added a small amount of Mole Sauce in a tortilla, layered pork and the oinons. Yummy!
    - 1/25/11


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    Good
    11 of 11 people found this review helpful
    I thought it was good but could use a little more spice. - 10/15/09


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    Incredible!
    10 of 13 people found this review helpful
    Super easy. I've made this several times. Meat is very tender. I don't like hot spicy foods so I leave off the mole sauce. - 12/29/09


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    Very Good
    7 of 8 people found this review helpful
    Very different and very tasty. - 11/12/09


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    Good
    6 of 7 people found this review helpful
    My husband loved this, but I wasn't overly thrilled. I did not make the mole sauce, so maybe that's why. The next time I make it, I'll make sure I make that, too! - 11/6/09


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    Very Good
    6 of 7 people found this review helpful
    I am amazed that cocoa & coffee can produce this yummy coating!! - 11/6/09


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    Incredible!
    6 of 7 people found this review helpful
    My family loved this recipe. I have teenagers and the 3lb loin I cooked was gone after one meal. A big hit! - 11/3/09


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    Incredible!
    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
    This was excellent! I used a boneless pork roast instead of pork tenderloin. It was juicy, flavorful and so easy to make and cook. Searing the meat helped keep in the juices. - 12/4/10


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    5 of 11 people found this review helpful
    I use a similar recipe and we love it. The cocoa seems to make the roast tender every time. I will try your version! - 9/29/09


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    Incredible!
    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
    This was Amazing! I bought a pork tenderloin that was close to 3 pounds, so I tripled the ingredients. I am really funny about having to have my meat fully cooked SO...I seared it on a metal baking pan on the top of my stove and then roasted it in the oven for close to an hour. - 1/14/12


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    Very Good
    4 of 5 people found this review helpful
    NOTE to those who don't drink coffee--I do, but I have a friend who doesn't. However, she keeps a small container of decaf instant coffee on hand to use in various recipes. A small amount (as here, only 1 tsp.) can add a very different and rich flavor to many things without a coffee taste! Try it! - 11/6/10


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    4 of 8 people found this review helpful
    Finally! A really good recipe for Pork Tenderloin and the Mole sauce doesn't have peanuts in it. My husband is allergic. - 12/8/09


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    O.K.
    2 of 4 people found this review helpful
    As pork producers, we have a couple of favorite ways to prepare a great loin. This didn't do anything for us. Will go back to our normal prep. - 11/8/10


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    O.K.
    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
    It was ok nothing to rave about - 4/28/10


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    Incredible!
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
    ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! I will definitely be making this again. My husband went crazy over it! I ended up cooking the tenderloin for around 25 minutes because that's what the package directions called for and I also checked it with a meat thermometer. The dry rub came out fantastic! - 2/3/10


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    2 of 5 people found this review helpful
    I never know what to serve with some of these meat dishes. What kind of veggies would be appropriate and authentic? - 1/25/10


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    Very Good
    2 of 6 people found this review helpful
    great pork - 11/22/09


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    2 of 17 people found this review helpful
    I don't like coffee----can this recipe be changed and what and how much so that I don't have that nasty(to me) taste? - 11/3/09


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    2 of 11 people found this review helpful
    Tenderloin always needs 'help'...This sounds great...will try it soon!! - 10/12/09


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    2 of 12 people found this review helpful
    Sounds interesting, but I can't stand the taste of coffee. Can you taste it in the recipe? Could I substitute something else in place of the coffee? - 9/29/09


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    O.K.
    1 of 2 people found this review helpful
    The meat was really tender, but I did not care for the cocoa. If I make again, I would probably use less cocoa and more of another spice. - 1/31/11


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    1 of 5 people found this review helpful
    Silly question, but is there a substitute I can use for the coffee? We don't drink coffee at all at our house. And I can't stand the smell after cleaning up the grounds in a trucking facility when I was a teenager... - 11/4/10


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    Very Good
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    I rolled the pork loin in chocolate flavored ground coffee because I didn't have any cocoa. Also, we skipped the cinnamon because my husband did not like the idea. I served it with a hot yellow chilli pepper sauce mixed with some pan juice and a few drops of chocolate flavored stevia. - 6/2/10


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    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    Yum! This was really great - the meat was juicy and the flavor was just perfect with Chef Meg's Mole Sauce. - 5/24/10


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    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    I used 2 pounds of pork and had to up the time to 30 minutes. My family loved it! Even the extra people who sometimes show up at the house (kids friends) loved it! - 2/16/10


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    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    I don't eat meat, but I made it for my husband. I could only find a 2 lb tenderloin so I just doubled the recipe. It worked out good. He ate the 1/2 of it the first night. He said it was amazing!! Thanks Chef Meg!! - 2/14/10


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    Very Good
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    We used a different portion of pork than the tenderloin, but still came out very well. :-) - 2/7/10


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    Very Good
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    This was excellent. The cocoa gives it a wonderful taste. I will make again.
    Shirley
    - 2/7/10


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    Very Good
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    This was so easy to make and was absolutely delicious. My kids found it a tad bit spicy but they like things pretty bland. - 2/2/10


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    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    This was really easy to make and very good. I over cooked it just a little and it was great do I can just imagine how good it will be the next time I make it and not over cook it. - 1/27/10


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    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    That was the best way I have ever had pork made!!! - 1/26/10


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    1 of 4 people found this review helpful
    Delicious - 1/26/10


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    Very good and no changes made by me. Thanks for sharing. - 6/2/21


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    Incredible!
    So freaking delicious this is an excellent recipe yummmmmmm - 4/1/21


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    Great! - 3/29/21


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    :) - 2/26/21


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    ok - 1/16/21


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    Very Good
    very good - 11/20/20


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    Good - 11/14/20


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    sounds yummy - 9/22/20


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    yummy - 7/2/20


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    Incredible!
    Loved it - 5/28/20


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    Incredible!
    Made these about a week ago Very tastey - 3/28/20


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    Nice recipe - 3/5/20


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    Bad
    Not going to make my rotation list. Threw off the taste of the meat. - 2/19/20


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    Thanks - 2/5/20


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    Yum! - 1/17/20


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    This sounds interesting and delicious. I am saving it to try after I get a tenderloin. - 1/17/20


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    I increased the chili powder and kept it in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes longer. Ad it turned out to be very good. - 12/27/19


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    Interesting to use cocoa. - 12/17/19


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    very good and flavorful - 11/20/19


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    I loved this recipe - 10/25/19


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    Incredible!
    yum - 10/11/19


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    very quick and tasty - 10/10/19


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    very good. - 10/10/19


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    Sounds great! - 10/4/19


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    Sounds like it would be a tasty and tender pork recipe with using Cola. I have used cola on other recipes and it really tenderizes the meat. - 8/19/19


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    Great - 7/25/19


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    I did 160 degrees internal temp for safety. - 7/23/19


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    Great recipe - 5/30/19


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    Suena rico! - 4/10/19


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    thank you - 4/10/19


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    Yum this is great! - 4/3/19


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    Incredible!
    Delicious...................Thank You. - 3/28/19


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    THIS WAS SO EASY TO DO AND WE LOVED IT. I HAVE NEVER USED COCOA OR COFFEE ON A ROAST BEFORE. - 3/28/19


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    Very Good
    I'm gonna try this on salmon... yum - 3/16/19


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    thanks - 2/25/19


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    This was so delicious!!! - 2/5/19


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    Incredible!
    This is a great Sunday meal, I then have leftovers for lunch for the week, plus a good way to get my protein in. - 2/1/19


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    Incredible!
    Supper tonight. - 1/26/19


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    Incredible!
    So very delicious! - 10/31/18


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    It was fine. I may make it again, or I might try t on pork chops, which we are more likely to eat. - 10/3/18


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    Good
    good hubby enjoyed it - 9/16/18


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    Incredible!
    I love this Cocoa Crusted Pork Tenderloin Recipe! Absolutely delicious! - 8/14/18


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    Great idea must try it with beef, chicken or goat - 7/14/18


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    Very Good
    made no changes. was very good. - 6/3/18


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    Incredible!
    Made this last night and it came out really good. Hubby & I really loved it. - 5/25/18


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    delicious - 5/7/18


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    Bad
    Turn your can’t into cans and dreams into plans. Believe in yourself. If other people can do it, so can you. ~ 3/29/18 - 3/29/18


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    Incredible!
    Love the spices. Plan to make it again. - 2/25/18


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    Very Good
    Thanks for sharing - 1/28/18


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    need to try thanks guys love your comments - 1/27/18


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    Good
    It was just okay - 1/27/18


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    Sounds interesting - 1/17/18


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    I have never thought of putting cocoa on pork. It looks good. - 1/12/18


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    Incredible!
    Easy to prepare and delicious! - 1/7/18


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    Incredible!
    This was great, easy to make and very tasty. My whole family ate seconds of it. Will make this again. - 11/18/17


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    Very Good
    great - 10/14/17


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    Yum - 10/12/17


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    Very Good
    I was surprised at the ingredients, but tried this recipe anyway. I never would of though of these ingredients, but my family loved the unique taste. It was delicious! - 6/1/17


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    Very Good
    Baked it as a whole as there wasn't much fat and it was a small tenderloin. Need to add less cocoa next time and maybe some garlic powder. - 5/22/17


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    Intriguing! - 4/23/17


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    Interesting..... - 4/17/17


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    Incredible!
    Great recipe!! - 3/3/17


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    Interesting - 1/24/17


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    Incredible!
    This was delicious. Served it with a mole sauce to add at the table. Definitely a hit. - 5/23/16


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    Bad
    Worst thing I have ever made - 2/19/16