PORK MEDALLIONS WITH TARRAGON BEARNAISE SAUCE – A CLASSIC FRENCH-STYLE DISH
Today’s dish features tender pork medallions paired with a rich, aromatic tarragon Bearnaise sauce—a perfect complement for your meat. Recommended sides include freshly boiled peas, green beans, or grilled asparagus.
🕒 Prep Time: 15 min
🍳 Cook Time: 15 min
🍰 Yields: 4 servings
🥄 Ingredients
Pork Medallions:
- 1 pork tenderloin
- 1–2 tbsp oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Bearnaise Sauce:
Reductie (Reduction):
- 100 ml dry white wine
- 2–3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp finely chopped onion
- 3 sprigs fresh tarragon
- 1/4 tsp coarsely crushed black peppercorns
Sauce:
- 2 egg yolks
- 75 g clarified butter (warm)
- Fresh tarragon leaves, finely chopped
- Pinch of salt
👩🍳 Instructions
- 🥩 Remove pork tenderloin from fridge and trim off white membranes. Slice into 2 cm thick medallions (approx. 2–3 pieces per person). Sprinkle generously with salt and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
- 🍲 For the reduction: Combine wine, vinegar, onion, tarragon sprigs, and crushed peppercorns in a small saucepan. Simmer until reduced to about 1 tablespoon of liquid. Strain through a fine sieve and let cool.
- 🧈 Melt the clarified butter and keep warm.
- 🥚 Place egg yolks and cooled reduction in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (double boiler). Whisk constantly until mixture thickens and coats the whisk in a thick ribbon (about 5 minutes).
- 🔥 Remove from heat and slowly drizzle in the warm clarified butter in a thin stream, whisking continuously like making mayonnaise. Stir in chopped tarragon leaves and season with a pinch of salt. Keep the sauce warm over gentle heat or in a warm water bath. If sauce thickens too much before serving, whisk in 1–2 teaspoons of warm water to loosen it.
- 🍳 Heat oil in a large skillet. Season pork medallions with freshly ground black pepper. Sear medallions for 2.5–3 minutes per side until golden. If desired, sear edges briefly using tongs for even cooking.
- 🥘 Transfer medallions to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
- 🍽️ Serve pork medallions drizzled with warm Bearnaise sauce.
💡 Tips
- Use clarified butter for a smooth, rich sauce.
- Maintain gentle heat to avoid curdling the sauce.
- Let meat rest after cooking for juicy, tender results.
🎉 Perfect For
- Elegant dinner parties
- Classic French cuisine lovers
- Pairing with simple vegetable sides
📝 Final Thoughts
This pork medallions recipe with tarragon Bearnaise sauce brings a sophisticated flair to your table, combining tender meat with a luscious, herbaceous sauce that elevates every bite.