Tender pork tenderloin with chestnuts and tender vegetables. The perfect dish to welcome Fall and Winter. Rich in flavor and so savory, you will not be able to wait to enjoy it.

This is one of our staple transition dishes into the Fall season. Lean pork tenderloin seared and braised with wine, onions, leeks, carrot, and my all-time favorite, and the season star, the chestnuts. An amazing combination rich in flavors.

 Pork tenderloin With Chestnuts

Being raised in Paris, one thing that I love and still miss the most about winter is roasting chestnuts on an open-fire street vendor. The smell awakens your senses, and you want to have some.

Nothing is more wonderful than holding this perfectly shaped cone of paper containing those preciously shaped brown morsels of love at each bite. You do not care how cold it is and that your gloves must come off.

I love chestnuts, not only roasted but also steamed, pureed, and marrons glacee.

We do not have these here in Arizona; therefore, when the holiday season arrives, I will shop as early as possible for them at our favorite store.

Clement Faugier roasts are the only chestnuts I can find. I am in heaven, as I always buy extra jars to nibble on.

Farm-style pork with Chestnuts is one of the recipes that always graces our table in the winter months.

In this Article

What is Pork Tenderloin?

Pork is a very versatile meat that any sauce will work wonders with. However,  before we go any further, let me tell you what a pork tenderloin is.

The pork tenderloin cut is an extended, narrow, boneless cut of meat from the muscle that runs along the pork backbone.

One of the leanest, most tender cuts of meat.

Colorwise, the meat is a bit darker, or redder if you prefer, than the pork loin or chops.

Sometimes if the cost of meat is prohibitive, pork tenderloin is a good substitute.

A Note From Giangi

The stove does it all – minimal prep work as the stove does all the braising for you.

Perfect for a crowd – when you have friends come over and do not want to spend too much time in the kitchen, this dish is fantastic to prepare. Not only will you spend more time with your guests, but your guests will also be welcomed by a fantastic aroma.

It will not break the bank – the vegetables are all staples in your kitchen and the pork tenderloin is an affordable cut of meat.

This dish does not require too many side dishes – our favorite is mashed potatoes, which can be prepared alongside and kept warm until ready to enjoy. The richness of this dish stands alone.

Giangi
pork tenderloin with chestnuts on a white plate

Ingredients needed to make this recipe

This is a short introduction. The ingredient list is also brief. It includes essential items that you may already have in your pantry. Please read the recipe for complete instructions.

Pork tenderloin – sold in units of a pound each, you will need two for this recipe. Ensure that the pork loin is even the whole length and remove any of the fat that you will save, as well as the silver skin lining. This is one of the lean cut of meat.

Steamed chestnuts – already all peeled and ready to be enjoyed. Readily available under the fall and winter months.

Dry red wine – My rule of thumb is to always cook with the wine that I will enjoy at the dinner table. Nothing beats that great, rich flavor. Here, the wine is one of the main key ingredients that makes this recipe fantastic.

Veal stock – goes well with the pork as it has a mild flavor.

Onions – Yellow or white are the ones to be used with this recipe. Milder and rich in flavor.

Carrot – to bring a level of sweetness to your pork

Garlic cloves – everything always tastes better with some garlic. Crushed will give out the essence of the garlic, which it is amazing to add to any dish.

Leeks – Milder version of the onion and absolutely amazing when cooked for a long period of time.

Salt and pepper – Seasoning

Step by step on how to make this delicious pork tenderloin with chestnuts

For all my recipes, please gather all the ingredients before you start cooking or baking, and I will guide you every step of the way.

Start with the vegetables

  • Peel, cut, and slice your onions, carrots, leeks, and garlic. Set aside

Preparing and cooking your pork tenderloin

  • Pat it dry and remove any fat, silver lining, or any filament membrane that it may have. Do save the fat, as you will be using it to sear your meat.
  • In a large skillet, add the fat and melt it. Add your pork and sear on all sides. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Add your stock, wine, carrot, onions, and garlic, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 30 or so minutes.
  • Add your chestnuts and leeks and continue cooking until all the vegetables are tender but not falling apart.
  • Strain your liquid into a heavy saucepan to reduce to a thin sauce consistency.
  • Season to taste if needed. Stir and return to the vegetables.
  • Slice your pork and arrange on a serving platter.
Sliced pork tenderloin served aongside chestnuts and carrots on a white plate.

Giangi’s Pro Tips

  • Use a heavy-bottom pan. I strongly recommendLe Creuset cast enamel. It cooks evenly, and the sauces are always perfect.
  • This recipe’s timing is based on a regular bake setting. Insert your meat thermometer into the thickest part of your cuts of meat, and the internal temperature should register 170F.
  • Save all the excess fat you trim from the pork, as you will use it to sear your pork.

What dishes can you enjoy with this pork tenderloin recipe?

This dish stands alone quite well and does not need too much fuss around it.

Mashed potatoes, Champ or smashed potatoes, and the sauce are the perfect combination.

Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Dressing is another choice of side as well as Green Beans Gremolata , which goes well with all your pork recipes.

Variations and Substitutions

Veal stock can be replaced with sodium-free chicken stock.

Storing and Reheating

Store: Once your pork tenderloin is at room temperature, store your leftovers in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to two days.

Reheat: Place your leftover pork tenderloin in a container and reheat over medium-low heat until warm.

You can also warm them up in the oven at 325F until warm. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.

Pork Tenderloin With Chestnuts

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farm style pork with chestnuts
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 peoples
Tender pork tenderloin braised in red wine, vegetables and chestnuts. The perfect dish to welcome Fall and Winter. Rich in flavor and so savory, you will not be able to wait to enjoy it.

Ingredients 

  • 15 ounces jar whole steamed chestnuts
  • 2 pounds pork tenderloin
  • salt
  • pepper
  • cups dry red wine
  • cups veal stock
  • 4 onions, cut in eights
  • 1 carrot, halved llenghwise and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 leeks, cut into 1/2 inch rounds

Instructions

  • Pat pork dry. Melt reserved fat in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.  
  • Add pork and brown well on all sides. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
  • Add wine, stock (can substitute with sodium free chicken stock), onions, carrot and garlic and bring to simmer. Cover and cook 30 minutes, adjusting heat so cooking liquid is barely shaking.
  • Add chestnuts and leeks to the pot. instant-read thermometer inserted in pork registers 170F and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes; do not overcook.
  • Strain liquid into heavy medium saucepan. Boil liquid until reduced to thin sauce like consistency; degrease.  
  • Return to vegetables. Slice pork and arrange around platter. Spoon vegetables and sauce into center and serve.

Notes

Pro Tips

  • Use a heavy bottom pan. I strongly recommend Le Creuset cast enamel. It cooks evenly, and the sauces are always perfect.
  • This recipe’s timing is based on a regular bake setting. Insert your meat thermometer into the thickest part of your cuts of meat, and the internal temperature should register 170F.
  • Do save all the excess fat that you trim out of the pork as you will use it to sear your pork in it.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 672mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1645IU | Vitamin C: 7.4mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

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