Pan-Seared Pork Medallions & Perfect Pork Marinade

I think there might be something wrong with me. Well, there’s LOTS of things wrong with me, but I mean I think I might be slightly allergic to certain preservatives or something like that. When I say I don’t like canned condensed cream soups, I really mean it. It’s like there’s something artificial in there that my body doesn't like so it tries to put me on lock-down by telling my taste buds to run.

The same is true for packaged marinated meat. You know, like the marinated turkey breasts or pork tenderloins you can get in the meat section at the grocery store? People seem to just love them but there’s something in there that doesn't jive with me. They almost have a metallic taste to me.

Anyway, I do like the concept of those marinated meat selections so this is what I do instead… I buy whatever’s on sale (chicken breasts, pork tenderloins, etc.), plop them in a freezer bag with marinade and freeze them. The day before I want to cook one, I just pull it out of the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight. While it’s defrosting, it’s marinating too.

And speaking of pork tenderloins, I like to cut them into fillets or medallions when I’m pressed for time. They cook super quickly this way so it’s perfect for weeknight meals!

Pan-Seared Pork Medallions & Perfect Pork Marinade
Pork:
1 1.5 pound pork tenderloin
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt & pepper

Marinade:
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves of garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
*I’m also prone to throw other stuff in as I have it available. Try adding green onions, shallots, any citrus peel or juice and/or fresh ginger

Place pork tenderloin in a large zip-top plastic bag; set aside. In a small bowl, mix marinade ingredients and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Add marinade to the pork tenderloin and seal bag tightly. Marinate pork for 6-8 hours or overnight.

Remove tenderloin from marinade and slice into 2-inch thick medallions (my 1.5 tenderloin yielded eight 2-inch medallions). Season each medallion lightly with salt & pepper. Discard marinade.

Add 3 tablespoons vegetable oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add medallions and sear for 3-4 minutes or until nicely browned. Flip medallions, reduce heat to medium and cover skillet. Cook, covered, for 5-6 minutes or until medallions are just done. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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