Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner
Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork is a quick weeknight dinner that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect glaze is cooking it low and slow. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Fresh Herb Ranch Slaw and Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe.
Why This Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy edges with a tender inside
- Sweet garlicky glaze that's better than takeout
- Easy weeknight dinner ready in 30 minutes
What You'll Need for Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Pork tenderloin
- Honey
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Chopped peanuts
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Pork tenderloin: You can also use boneless pork chops or pork shoulder.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfect pork doneness every time. → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents pork from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner
- Marinate: Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add pork and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Cook: Cook pork in a hot skillet for 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove and let rest.
- Make glaze: Add marinade to skillet, bring to a boil, and simmer until thickened. Stir in red pepper flakes.
- Serve: Slice pork, pour glaze over, and garnish with green onions.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner
- : Use a meat mallet to pound the pork to an even thickness for better cooking.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pork. Use a meat thermometer to check for 145°F (63°C) internal temperature.
- : For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or use Sriracha instead of honey.
Storing & Reheating Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate pork up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Freezing Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner
Freeze cooked pork for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp up.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pan meal, serve with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
- Best substitution: Use chicken breast or thighs instead of pork for a different protein option.
- Make-ahead: Marinate pork up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the glaze isn't thickening, add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water and simmer for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Provides a stable surface for slicing the tender pork. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Pork tenderloin
- Honey
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Green onions
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Marinate: Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add pork and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Cook: Cook pork in a hot skillet for 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove and let rest.
- Make glaze: Add marinade to skillet, bring to a boil, and simmer until thickened. Stir in red pepper flakes.
- Serve: Slice pork, pour glaze over, and garnish with green onions.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pan meal, serve with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
- Best substitution: Use chicken breast or thighs instead of pork for a different protein option.
- Make-ahead: Marinate pork up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the glaze isn't thickening, add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water and simmer for a few more minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked pork for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp up.
- Make ahead: Marinate pork up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 36g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 4.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner FAQs
Yes, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Remove pork and thicken the sauce on the stove.
Overcooking is the most common reason. Use a meat thermometer to check for 145°F (63°C) internal temperature.
Yes, follow the same cooking instructions, adjusting the cooking time to 6-7 minutes per side.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as written. Always check your soy sauce to ensure it's gluten-free.
Yes, marinate pork up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork for Quick Weeknight Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
