Pork Tenderloin with Apples

Name: Pork Tenderloin with Apples
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1½ lb pork tenderloin; 2 tsp cooking oil; 1 tsp salt (for seasoning pork tenderloin); 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp pepper; 1 small onion (sliced); 2-3 small apples (cored, sliced); ½ cup chicken broth; 1 tsp salt (for the apples and onion mixture)

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Pork Tenderloin with Apples is a delicious and easy pork recipe. We oven bake a seasoned tenderloin with apples, onions and fragrant herbs, bringing the slightly sweet and tart apple flavors to the juicy and tender pork.

The classic combination of pork and apples makes this a perfect Fall dish. It’s great for dinner parties, special occasions or holidays. Ready under 35 minutes, it’s also such a quick meal to bring together.

A large rectangular platter of pork tenderloin sliced in thick slices, with seared apples and onions on top and around it.

Table of Contents

Apple Pork Tenderloin

Pork and apples are truly a match made in heaven. Something about the savory sweet combo just brings out the most lovely flavors.

Fall is abundant with apples and it is indeed a great time to make pork tenderloin with apples.

Apple pork tenderloin is a great dish for dinner parties, date nights in, small holiday gatherings or whenever you want something kinda nice without doing a whole lot of work.

And while it looks kinda nice and even a bit fancy, it’s easy easy easy to make!

While I call this pork tenderloin with apples, there’s a bit more to it than cooking pork tenderloin with only apples.

We are cooking pork tenderloin with apples, onions, fragrant herbs, and using chicken broth to deglaze and marry all the delicious flavors together.

The combination of sweet and savory flavors gives the pork loin such a beautiful flavor.

All the reasons why I think you are going to love this pork tenderloin with apples recipe:

Ready under 35 minutes – That’s right, it’s delicious and easy!
Minimal prep work – you’ll be preparing and searing the pork for just under 20 minutes, then send everything into the oven and let it do the rest of the work.
Minimal ingredients – this recipe calls for a handful of pantry staples while promising big flavors.
One pan/skillet dish for easy cleanup – Cook everything in just one skillet!
The flavors – the juicy and moist piece of pork tenderloin is able to absorb the flavors of the pieces of apples, as well as the apples and herbs from the broth is cooking in. It is juicy, moist, soft, tender and so flavorful.
ALL THE COZY FALL VIBES! 🧡

A bowl of pork tenderloin slices on mashed potatoes, topped with seared apples and onions

Kitchen Tool

To make this pork tenderloin with apples recipe, we will be using my favorite 3.5 qt braiser that can be used on the stovetop and in the oven.

I love it because I can use it on both on the stovetop and in the oven. No need to transfer, and I even serve it directly from that skillet.

You can use a Dutch oven as well, or an oven-safe skillet.

If you don’t have the above, sear the pork and the apple/onion mixer on a skillet, and then transfer to a casserole dish to bake in the oven. It’s a little more work, but you’ll get similar results.

Ingredients

Here are what you need to make pork tenderloin with apples:

pork tenderloin – this cut of meat is lean and typically weighs 1- 1 1/2 lbs. It is an affordable tender cut of pork, quick to cook and easy to produce great results. It’s such an underrated cut of meat!
garlic powder – used to season the pork tenderloin.
dried thyme – the herb used to season the pork loin. Feel free to use other herbs such as rosemary, parsley, Herb de Provence etc. If you have fresh herbs, you can chop it up and use those as well. Fresh herbs do bring incredible flavors and I love to use it if I have them, but dried herbs work just fine and it’s more likely you already have that on hand.
apples – I typically use 2-3 small apples (typically comes in a bag from the grocery store) or 1 large apple.
onions – use white, yellow or sweet onions and slice into thin slices.
chicken broth – responsible for lots of the flavors of the apple sauce. Try to use a good quality free range chicken broth, as it does make a difference in the overall taste of the sauce.
salted butter – makes that sauce creamy and delicious.
salt – it help to open up and bring together all that delicious flavor!

How to make it

Let’s make this delicious pork tenderloin with apples recipe!

Step 1: Season pork tenderloin

Preheat an oval skillet or braiser on stovetop over medium heat so that it is ready to receive the pork tenderloin.

Season pork tenderloin with thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper, making sure to coat all sides with the seasonings.

Step 2: Sear tenderloin on all sides

Drizzle two tablespoon of olive oil onto the skillet. Once heated, place pork tenderloin on to the skillet.

Sear pork tenderloin for ~2 minutes on one long side, then turn to sear the other sides.

Pork tenderloin seasoned with herbs and spices, and searing it on a skillet.

You are essentially searing the surfaces to seal in the seasonings and moisture, but not fully cooking the pork.

Remove tenderloin from skillet and set aside.

Sauté apples and onions

Add more olive oil to skillet (if needed). Add onions – let it sauté for a few minutes until it is slightly softened, then add apple slices.

Cook until both are soften.

Add chicken broth to the skillet to deglaze it – by doing so you are bringing all the good flavor stuck at the bottom of the skillet over to the pork tenderloin.

Add a pinch of salt to chicken broth, then lower heat to simmer gently for a few minutes minutes.

Place pork tenderloin back into the braiser/skillet, on top of the apples and onions.

Searing onions and apples in a braiser, then adding pork tenderloin

Step 4: Bake pork tenderloin

Send the whole braiser or skillet into the oven.

Bake at 400℉ for 15-20 minutes until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145℉ using a meat thermometer

Step 4: Rest and Slice

Once it is done, let pork sit for a few minutes to rest.

Top down view of a pork tenderloin sitting in a bed of sauteed apple and onions

Slice apple pork tenderloin into smaller slices with a sharp knife.

Then serve that moist and juicy pork with the goodness of sweet apples and sweet caramelized onions…MY GOODNESS. IT’S SO GOOD!

Sliced up pork tenderloin with apples and caramelized onions in a platter

Storage and Reheating

Fridge: Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat: To reheat, bring pork, apples and onions in the center of a microwave safe plate, drizzle with a little bit of water before reheating. Cover and reheat.

Freezer: Freeze in air tight container for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of apples should I use for this dish?

I personally think any apples would work. If you like a more tart (less sweet) flavor, use Granny Smith.

Can I use other herbs and seasonings to season the pork tenderloin?

Yes! Here are other great options: onion powder, Herb de Provence, rosemary, parsley.

Why do I need to sear the pork tenderloin first before baking it in the oven?

1. This helps seal in the seasonings, bring much better flavors to the pork
2. Also helps seal in the moisture, so that pork is juicy and tender.

What should I serve with the pork and apples?

Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad would all make excellent accompaniments to this dish.

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