Pork Tenderloin Medallion Recipe

When managing a chronic kidney disease (CKD), finding delicious, kidney-friendly meals can be a challenge, but it's essential to maintain a balanced diet while enjoying the flavors you love. That's why I'm excited to share this savory and creamy pork tenderloin medallions recipe with you.

It's low in sodium, easy on your kidneys, and packed with flavors that promise to delight your taste buds without compromising your health. This dish, with its tender pork slices bathed in a rich, creamy sauce, provides a perfect blend of nutrients and flavors.

It's an outstanding option for those seeking to follow a kidney-friendly diet while still enjoying their meals, whether for themselves or for their loved ones. Let's dive into the joy of cooking something that is as nourishing as it is delectable!

This goes well with my salads recipe, Mandarin Orange Salad - Whipped, on this site, and pairs well with this delicious side dish, peas and carrots.

For More Recipes and Ideas --->> Get Your Free Meals and Recipes That Are Perfect for Pre-Dialysis Diets, Pre-Dialysis with Diabetes, or Dialysis Diets.

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Ingredients For Pan Fried Pork Tenderloin

This savory dish has a creamy gravy that makes a yummy pork tenderloin medallions recipe.

  • Pork Tenderloin: A lean source of protein that's lower in fat and phosphorus, making it a great choice for those with CKD.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Used sparingly, it helps thicken the sauce, adding texture without significantly affecting the phosphorus or potassium content.
  • Spices: These spices add a wealth of flavor without sodium, making the dish tasty while being mindful of kidney health.
  • Olive Oil: A heart-healthy choice, olive oil is beneficial for a balanced diet and is recommended for CKD due to its lower saturated fat content.
  • Minced Garlic and Diced Onion: Both add depth and flavor naturally, allowing for less sodium use and better blood pressure management, which is crucial for CKD.
  • Dijon Mustard: Provides a low-sodium flavor boost, keeping the dish kidney-friendly while adding tanginess.
  • Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Helps manage blood pressure and fluid retention by reducing the total sodium content of the dish.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds creaminess and richness to the dish in moderation, without significantly impacting the healthfulness for those with CKD, especially when portion sizes are controlled.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions for Pork Tenderloin Stovetop

How to make the pork tenderloin medallions recipe, step by step, with pictures so it's easy to know what you are doing.

1. Trim off excess fat and slice the pork tenderloin into 8 slices (rounds) and set aside.

2. Mix together the flour, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Coat each slice of pork tenderloin using the flour mixture.

3. Add the oil to a skillet over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the pork and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until they are lightly golden brown. Take the pan off the heat and remove the pork from the pan on a clean plate.

4. Put the pan back on the medium heat, and add the diced onions and stir in the garlic, dijon mustard, chicken broth, and italian seasoning. Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes and scrape up any brown bits for more flavor.

5. Stir in the cream and let it bubble for about 2 minutes (gentle heat). Add the pork back in and cook for another 5 minutes on low heat until the pork is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.

6. Serve warm with a generous helping of sauce.

Hint: Brown the pork medallions in the skillet well before removing them. This browning, known as the Maillard reaction, not only gives the pork a richer flavor but also contributes to the depth of the sauce. The brown bits left in the pan, called "fond," are packed with flavor and, when deglazed with low-sodium chicken broth, add an incredible depth to your sauce without additional salt or seasoning, making it more suitable for a CKD diet.

Variations of Tenderloin Medallions

Want to try another couple of different variations of the sauce for the pork tenderloin recipe?

  • Mushroom Sauce Variation: Replace the heavy whipping cream with a mix of low sodium chicken broth and a splash of milk combined with sautéed sliced mushrooms. This variation offers a delicious, creamy mushroom sauce without the higher potassium and phosphorus content that cream might contribute.
  • Herb-Crusted Variation: Instead of coating the pork in flour and spices, create a crust using a mix of finely chopped herbs (such as parsley, thyme, and rosemary) and a bit of grated lemon zest. Coat the pork tenderloin slices in this herb mixture before pan-searing. This approach enhances flavor using kidney-friendly herbs while avoiding the need for flour.
  • Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Variation: Instead of a cream-based sauce, make a roasted red pepper sauce. This is a flavorful, kidney-friendly alternative that's lower in potassium than commercial sauces.
  • Lemon Garlic Variation: Create a lighter dish by using a sauce made from lemon juice, minced garlic, low sodium chicken broth, and a touch of olive oil. This variation offers a fresh, tangy flavor profile, reducing the need for cream while remaining low in sodium and potassium, suitable for those on a CKD diet.

Storage of Pan Fried Pork Tenderloin

  1. Cooling Down: Allow the cooked pork tenderloin medallions and sauce to cool to room temperature before storing them. However, don't leave them out for longer than two hours to prevent bacterial growth.
  2. Refrigeration: Store the pork medallions and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should be consumed within three to four days. When refrigerating, consider separating the sauce from the meat if possible, as this can help preserve the texture and flavor of both components.
  3. Freezing: If you want to extend the life of your cooked pork tenderloin medallions, you can freeze them. Place the cooled medallions and sauce in separate freezer-safe bags or containers to prevent freezer burn. Label them with the date, and try to use them within two to three months for the best quality. Remember that cream-based sauces may separate or change texture when frozen and reheated, so it might be best to freeze just the pork and make the sauce fresh when you're ready to eat.
  4. Reheating: When reheating, thaw frozen pork and sauce in the refrigerator overnight if they were frozen. Reheat them gently on the stove over low to medium heat until heated through. If the sauce has thickened too much during storage, you can thin it with a little bit of low-sodium chicken broth or water while heating.

Top tip

Because this recipe is designed for 2, portion control is super easy - just split it in half. You will love the portion size and add a few other related recipes for side dishes and you have a delicious meal.

FAQ about Creamy Pork Medallions Recipe

Are pork tenderloin medallions suitable for a CKD diet?

Pork tenderloin is a suitable protein for a CKD diet because it's lean and lower in phosphorus compared to other meats. However, portion control is crucial, as is preparing the dish with low-sodium ingredients and avoiding high-phosphorus additives to make it more kidney-friendly.

How can I add more flavor to pork tenderloin medallions without adding too much sodium?

To enhance the flavor without adding excess sodium, utilize a variety of herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Acidic components like lemon juice or vinegar can also add a burst of flavor. Additionally, cooking with ingredients like onions, garlic, and low-sodium broths can infuse the meat with rich flavors without the need for added salt.

What is the best way to ensure pork tenderloin medallions stay tender and juicy?

The key to tender and juicy pork tenderloin medallions is not overcooking them. Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat, so it can dry out quickly. Cook the medallions until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, then let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

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Recipe

Pork Tenderloin Medallion Recipe

red plate with Pork Tenderloin Medallion Recipe on fork

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Discover how to make delicious, kidney-friendly pork tenderloin medallions. Perfect for those managing CKD, enjoy this tasty, low-sodium recipe.

  • Author: Mathea Ford, MBA, RDN, LD
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Entree
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces pork tenderloin, sliced into 8 pieces

¼ cup all purpose flour

½ tsp ground pepper

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp paprika

1 TBSP olive oil

2 tbsp minced garlic

½ tsp dijon mustard

¼ cup low sodium chicken broth

¼ cup diced onion

½ tsp italian seasoning

½ cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

1. Trim off excess fat and slice the pork tenderloin into 8 slices (rounds) and set aside.

2. Mix together the flour, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.  Coat each slice of pork tenderloin using the flour mixture.

3. Add the oil to a skillet over medium high heat.  Once the pan is hot, add the pork and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until they are lightly golden brown.  Take the pan off the heat and remove the pork from the pan on a clean plate.

4. Put the pan back on the medium heat, and add the diced onions and stir in the garlic, dijon mustard, chicken broth, and italian seasoning. Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes and scrape up any brown bits for more flavor.

5. Stir in the cream and let it bubble for about 2 minutes (gentle heat).  Add the pork back in and cook for another 5 minutes on low heat until the pork is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.

6. Serve warm with a generous helping of sauce.

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One Comment

  1. Keith Raile says:

    We made this for our Easter dinner and loved it. Easy to make and very tasty. Added some steamed asparagus for our veggie then added 1/2 of a steamed golden potato. We also made the Mandarin Orange salad which was a great compliment. Thanks for the recipes. 🙂