Chorizo-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

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This mouthwatering pork tenderloin is stuffed with chorizo, cheese and spinach. Once you master stuffing a pork tenderloin--you just cut the tenderloin almost in half lengthwise, pound it, fill it and tie it closed with kitchen string--you won't want it any other way. Serve with sautéed red peppers tossed with capers, parsley and sherry vinegar and roasted potatoes. To double this recipe, use 2 skillets or brown the tenderloins one at a time.

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Cook Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

  • ½ cup shredded smoked or extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

  • 2 ounces Spanish chorizo (see Note) or hard salami, finely chopped

  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 1-1 1/4 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

  2. Combine spinach, cheese, chorizo (or salami) and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Combine garlic, 1 tablespoon oil and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in another bowl; set aside.

  3. To butterfly the tenderloin, lay it on a large cutting board. Holding the knife blade flat and parallel to the board, make a lengthwise cut through the center of the meat, stopping short of the opposite edge so that the tenderloin remains in one piece. Open as you would a book. Cover with plastic wrap. With a meat mallet, rolling pin or heavy pan, pound the pork to an even 1/4-inch thickness.

  4. Spread the spinach mixture in the center of the pork, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Starting at a long side, roll up the pork to enclose the filling. To keep the stuffing from falling out during roasting, fold in about 1 inch of the two short ends as you roll. Tie kitchen string firmly lengthwise around the roast to secure the two ends, then tie it crosswise at 2-inch intervals.

  5. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and lightly brown the pork on all sides, 4 to 6 minutes total. Brush the top with the reserved garlic mixture; season with pepper. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast the pork until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 145 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Let rest on a clean cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.

Note: Spanish-style chorizo is a seasoned, fully cooked smoked pork sausage. Find it near other cured sausages in well-stocked supermarkets, specialty food stores or online at tienda.com.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

345 Calories
22g Fat
4g Carbs
33g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 345
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 4g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 33g 66%
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 101mg 34%
Vitamin A 8454IU 169%
Vitamin C 5mg 5%
Folate 107mcg 27%
Sodium 669mg 29%
Calcium 199mg 15%
Iron 3mg 15%
Magnesium 91mg 22%
Potassium 767mg 16%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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