Maintaining a low-carb lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to compromise on flavor. On the contrary, this Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin proves that you can enjoy bold, satisfying meals while staying on track. With this recipe, you can serve a delicious dinner any night of the week without worrying about going overboard on the carbs.
This recipe provides all the delicious flavors that you know and love, while also keeping the carb count low. Even better, your entire family will enjoy it right alongside you—so there’s no need to prepare separate meals for those not following a low-carb lifestyle.
In fact, everyone will enjoy this flavorful Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin, any night of the week. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this easy and satisfying meal fits perfectly.
What Kind of Orange Can You Use in This Recipe?
For this recipe we use some of the juice of a navel orange and some of the zest as well. If necessary, you can substitute the fresh juice with 1 teaspoon of orange extract and 2 tablespoons of water. We personally like the fresh splash of orange over the alternative, but it is totally up to the chef.
How Long Does It Take to Make This Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin?
To make this recipe it takes about 10 minutes of food preparation time. Cooking time is only 10 to 15 minutes, or until your tenderloin is properly cooked. For your pork tenderloin to be properly done, you want to ensure that it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees.
What is in The Sauce for This Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin?
The sauce for this recipe is pretty simple and straight forward. All you will need is some sesame oil, ginger paste, minced garlic, orange juice and zest and a little sugar free teriyaki marinade. This will provide a delicious flavor to your meat, without having to worry about added sugar.
Are Oranges Low Carb?
Oranges and orange juice are actually not considered low carb. This is because just a small one can have a total of about 13g of net carbs.
About Oranges
While many people following a low-carb lifestyle tend to avoid carbohydrate-heavy oranges altogether, this recipe uses them in a very small amount. Specifically, it calls for just 2 tablespoons of orange juice, which comes out to about 2 grams of net carbs.
Additionally, the teaspoon of orange zest adds so little in terms of carbohydrates that it doesn’t significantly impact the total count. As long as you’re not drinking a full glass of orange juice or eating a whole orange, small amounts can still fit into low-carb recipes.
That said, always be mindful of measurements and track carbohydrate counts to stay within your goals.
How to Make This Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin
This delicious recipe is extremely simple to make and worth every second spent. It packs a lot of flavor, pleasing your palate with every single bite.
Ingredients Needed
To make this Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin recipe you are going to need:
Pork tenderloin – A lean cut of meat that cooks quickly and stays juicy when sliced into medallions.
Sesame oil – Adds a rich, nutty flavor and helps sear the pork to golden perfection.
Ginger paste – Provides warm, zesty spice that pairs perfectly with sweet and savory ingredients.
Minced garlic – Enhances the depth of the sauce with bold, aromatic flavor.
Orange juice – Adds natural sweetness and acidity for a bright, citrusy glaze.
Orange zest – Intensifies the orange flavor and adds freshness to the sauce.
Sugar-free teriyaki marinade – Brings savory umami flavor while keeping the dish low in carbs.
Sesame seeds – Offer a subtle crunch and toasted flavor as garnish.
Sliced green onions – Add color and a fresh bite when sprinkled on top before serving.
Step 1: Heat it Up
Get started on this recipe by heating your sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Sauté
Sauté your pork medallions for 3-5 minutes on each side. You will want to make sure that they are well browned and are cooked to at least 145 degrees.
Step 3: Set Aside
Remove your cooked pork tenderloin medallions from your skillet. Once removed you will want to set them aside to keep them warm.
Step 4: Get Low
Reduce the heat of your burner to low.
Step 5: Get Saucy
In your skillet over low heat, mix together your sauce ingredients. This means the ginger paste, mince garlic, orange zest and orange juice (or extract and water). Cook your sauce for 30 seconds.
Step 6: Sauce it Up
Add your sugar free teriyaki marinade to the skillet and sauté for another 30 seconds.
Step 7: Add the Pork
Add your pork back into your skillet with your sauce and stir well. This will coat the tenderloin well in this delicious mixture.
Step 8: Garnish
Remove the pork from the skillet and garnish it with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve up your delicious Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin with your choice of low carb side and enjoy.
Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin
Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin is a flavorful dish that combines the sweetness of fresh orange juice and zest with the savory depth of teriyaki marinade. The pork medallions are seared until golden, then coated in a vibrant, sticky sauce made right in the skillet. It's a simple yet impressive recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or a flavorful low-carb meal.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. Pork tenderloin (sliced into 1 ½ inch thick pieces)
- 1 tbsp. Sesame oil
- 1 tsp. Ginger paste
- 2 tsp. Minced garlic
- 2 tbsp. Juice from an orange
- 1 tsp. Orange zest
- ¼ cup Sugar-free teriyaki marinade
- 1 tbsp. Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- ¼ cup Sliced green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Slice the pork tenderloin into medallions and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the pork medallions for about 3 minutes on each side, or until nicely browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add minced garlic and fresh ginger. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the soy sauce, orange juice, orange zest, and brown sugar substitute.
- Bring the sauce to a low simmer and cook until slightly reduced, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the pork back into the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Cook for another 1–2 minutes to coat and warm through.
- Serve warm, topped with sliced green onions and orange slices, if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor—it really brightens the sauce.
- Slice the pork tenderloin evenly so it cooks quickly and stays tender.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing the pork medallions; cook in batches if needed for a better sear.
- Keep an eye on the sauce while it simmers—stir frequently to prevent sticking or burning.
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar substitute, depending on your taste.
- For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently to preserve the sauce texture.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 143Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 485mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 7g
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Serve with This Orange Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin
Recipe?
There really isn’t any specific requirement for what you choose to serve alongside this recipe. You can opt for a simple side salad or choose from any of your favorite low carb side dishes.
What are Pork Tenderloin Medallions?
Pork Tenderloin Medallions are simply pork tenderloins sliced into oval medallions. Pork tenderloin medallions are essentially a lean, tender cut of meat as they are taken from the eye of the loin with the fat trimmed.
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