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Pork Medallions in a cast iron pan

Pork Medallions with Pan Sauce

Kristen Stevens
By: Kristen Stevens
Updated: 04/22/2025
4.8 stars (113 ratings)
41 Comments
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These pork medallions are incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Rounds of pork tenderloin are perfectly seasoned, seared until golden, and served in a rich, savory sauce. They’re easy enough for weeknights, and they’re ready in just 25 minutes!

a spoon scooping some pork medallions out of a pan

These juicy pork medallions are what I make when I want a meal that feels a little special but doesn’t require much effort. I season the pork tenderloin medallions with a flavorful blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper, then sear them until they’re golden and tender. The pork stays incredibly juicy, and the seasoning gives it plenty of savory depth right from the start.

Once the pork is cooked, I build a simple pan sauce right in the same skillet using the fond, chicken stock, and butter. Fond is just the browned bits left behind in the pan after searing the meat—and it’s pure flavor. When the chicken stock hits the hot pan, it loosens all those flavorful bits, and a knob of butter finishes the sauce, making it rich and silky without being heavy.

This recipe works just as well for a quick weeknight dinner as it does for entertaining. I use the same seasoning blend here that I use in my baked pork chops so if you love that recipe, this one will feel familiar in the best way. It’s a simple technique, a short ingredient list, and a result that always feels polished and reliable.

What is a pork medallion?

Pork medallions are 1-2″ thick rounds of pork tenderloin. They’re easy to work with, cook quickly, and are super tender!

Pork tenderloin is a specific cut of pork that is long, lean, and relatively thin. It comes from a muscle that runs along a pig’s backbone and is often sold in packages of two. Pork tenderloin is not to be confused with pork loin, which is a much bigger and tougher cut of meat. If this is your first time making pork medallions, be prepared to be blown away!

How to cook pork tenderloin medallions

three pictures showing how to make this pork medallions recipe

These flavorful pork medallions taste gourmet, but they’re deceptively easy to make. Here’s how to make them in a few simple steps:

  1. To start, mix all the seasonings in a small bowl.
  2. Then, slice the pork tenderloin into medallions, pat them dry with paper towels, and season both sides with the spices.
  3. Use a cast-iron skillet and sear them in olive oil until they’re golden on both sides. You’ll probably need to do this in two batches. Make sure to give them some room in the pan so they sear instead of steam.
two pictures showing how to make pork medallions
  1. Now, remove the medallions, and use the same pan to make the savory sauce. Hooray for fewer dishes! Add the chicken broth and melt the butter, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits.
  2. Add the medallions back to the pan, stir to coat them in sauce, and top with minced parsley. Serve them over a bed of mashed potatoes, or anything you’d like. Delicious!

What to serve with pork medallions

These pork tenderloin medallions are a versatile entrée that will dress up any dinner. They taste incredible over a bed of mashed potatoes, with a side of vegetables like buttered carrots, sautéed asparagus, or garlic bacon mushrooms.

Store and reheat

Store: If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let them cool to room temperature, then transfer them to a covered container. Pop them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Freeze: You can also freeze leftovers for up to three months.

Reheat: Leftovers taste great cold, sliced thin in a sandwich or on top of a salad. You can also reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

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4.81 stars (113 ratings)
Pork Medallions in a cast iron pan

Pork Medallions with Pan Sauce

Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 15 minutes mins
Total: 25 minutes mins
Rate Recipe Print
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These pork medallions are incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Rounds of pork tenderloin are perfectly seasoned, seared until golden, and served in a rich, savory sauce. They're easy enough for weeknights, and they're ready in just 25 minutes!
4

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon EACH: sweet paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon EACH: oregano, salt, and pepper
  • 2 pork tenderloins (cut into 12 pieces each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Minced parsley (to serve)

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
    1 teaspoon EACH: sweet paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, ½ teaspoon EACH: oregano, salt, and pepper
    image for recipe instruction
  • Cut the pork tenderloin into medallions (slices) and dry them with paper towels. Season both sides of the pork medallions with the spices.
    2 pork tenderloins
    image for recipe instruction
  • Working in 2 batches, heat the olive oil in a large, cast iron frying pan over medium-high heat. Sear the medallions for 2-3 minutes then flip them over and sear on the other side until golden. Remove the cooked medallions and then add extra olive oil for the second batch, if needed.
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    image for recipe instruction
  • Remove the medallions from the pan and add the chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any stuck-on bits. Add the butter and whisk it into the sauce so it thickens a little bit.
    ½ cup chicken stock, 2 tablespoons butter
    image for recipe instruction
  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the cooked pork medallions and any accumulated juices. Stir them so that they're coated in the sauce and then sprinkle a little minced parsley over the top.
    Minced parsley
    image for recipe instruction

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 = ¼ of the recipe, Calories: 535kcal (27%), Carbohydrates: 2g (1%), Protein: 71g (142%), Fat: 25g (38%), Saturated Fat: 9g (56%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 237mg (79%), Sodium: 847mg (37%), Potassium: 1380mg (39%), Fiber: 0.2g (1%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 183IU (4%), Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 27mg (3%), Iron: 3mg (17%)
© Author Kristen Stevens

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

Pork Medallions in a cast iron pan

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Pork Medallions on a plate with mashed potatoes and peas

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Kristen Stevens

Kristen Stevens

Hi, I'm Kristen! I LOVE everything to do with food: making it, taking pictures of it, and (the best part) eating it. ♡♡♡

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Posted: 02/06/2023 Updated: 04/22/2025
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41 Comments
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Jan Janczak
Jan Janczak

5 stars
This was EXCELLENT.. great protein source!! Served with salad & roasted veggies!! SO TASTY!

( messy on the cooktop.. but SO WORTH IT!!)

1
Reply
Kristen Stevens
Kristen Stevens
Reply to  Jan Janczak

Thanks, Jan!

0
Reply
Kathryn
Kathryn

5 stars
Excellent and easy! Loved the flavors. Meat was very tender. I also had to make a second batch of spices to coat only one small tenderloin.

1
Reply
David
David

Forget about the paprika. Why are all online pork recipes obsessed with paprika? Blech

1
Reply
Kristen Stevens
Kristen Stevens
Reply to  David

Good quality paprika adds a wonderful flavor, and even bland paprika gives color. If you’re not a fan, you can omit it.

3
Reply
Sheri
Sheri

5 stars
Cut medallions about 2cm thick, cooked up perfectly, def not dry. Recommend this recipe

1
Reply
Elaine P
Elaine P

5 stars
I made this for a dinner party. I made the recipe exactly as written. Everyone loved it! The pork took longer to cook than I expected. Maybe the medallions were too thick. Next time I’m going to try partially cooking them ahead of time, as another poster stated.

I highly recommend this recipe. Delicious!

0
Reply
Betsy
Betsy

5 stars
I love this recipe. I also double the seasoning. So fast. Served it with mashed potatoes two times and with angel hair pasta two times. Both ways are delicious.

0
Reply
John
John

5 stars
Best tenderloin medallions ever! Added a bit of Sriracha seasoning for a little kick, otherwise exactly pie the recipe…

20231003_192316~2.jpg
1
Reply
Lyndee
Lyndee

5 stars
Absolutely deslish!

0
Reply
Nicki
Nicki

5 stars
Made exact and this was excellent. Making again tonight and going to double the sauce, extra for the potatoes.

0
Reply
Baltisraul
Baltisraul

5 stars
Seared first side 2 min 30 sec. Seared opposite side 1 min 30 sec. Perfect!! The sauce was magic! Did add 1 tea of Kitchen bouquet to add more depth color to the sauce.

0
Reply
Marie
Marie

5 stars
Super. I had to double the spices and I used only one pork tenderloin. ($4). Even the critic loved it. Served with mashed potatoes, vegetable and corn muffins. I will make this for pot luck Sunday when it’s my turn to do the main dish. Well, that’s a switch, as they are usually my guinea pigs.

0
Reply
Cheryl
Cheryl

5 stars
Made this for a pot luck and got rave reviews! Juicy and tender. I followed the recipe exactly. Making it again tomorrow.

0
Reply
Shirl
Shirl

I don’t have a cast iron frying pan can I use my regular frying pan?

0
Reply
Kristen Stevens
Kristen Stevens
Reply to  Shirl

Cast iron will give you the nicest sear on the medallions, but any pan will work to cook them.

0
Reply
Mike
Mike

5 stars
Exactly as described!

0
Reply
Charles
Charles

5 stars
Hi,
These were amazing. Probably better off going to a butcher to get a good cut. Thanks for sharing!

1
Reply
Maayke
Maayke

5 stars
The kids loved these pork medallions! I will definitely be making this recipe again soon.

0
Reply
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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen Stevens

I’m a self-taught chef, food photographer, and author of the cookbook Sugar Free Dinner Recipes. Since 2011, I have been sharing my well-tested and approachable recipes, helping home cooks like you feel comfortable and confident in the kitchen. My work has been featured in Food & Wine, Pioneer Woman, The Every Girl, Self, and many more. Let’s have some fun cooking together!

Learn more!

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