This spiced and juicy pork tenderloin with apples is a 25-minute Fall dinner that is easy enough for busy weeknights. The sweet-and-savory sauce made with shallots and tender apples pairs perfectly with the autumn spiced pork medallions!
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Test Kitchen Review
Why I Love This Juicy Pork with Apples
It’s no secret that fall is my favorite time of year! And while pumpkin usually steals the show, apples shouldn’t be ignored. And it’s not just the sweet treats, savory dishes like this juicy pork with apples is so cozy to serve on a chilly fall night! Well, I live in Florida, so it never gets too chilly… but you get the idea. Grab your cinnamon and apple cider for this easy fall-flavored entree! Here’s why I make it every year:
- Sweet and savory: There’s a perfect balance of flavors between the warm spices, sweet apple, tender pork, and fragrant shallots.
- Fancy but easy: This spiced pork with apples is an easy 25-minute dinner that will impress all of your guests!
- Prep-friendly: Make the spice mixture and chop all the ingredients in advance so you can save time the night of your event.
Enjoy more of my favorite fall dinner recipes like this roasted butternut squash soup, my family recipe for the best crockpot pot roast and this slow cooker beef stew with apple cider.
Key Ingredients
This juicy pork is seasoned with fall spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make pork tenderloin with apples. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Pork tenderloin: Make sure to trim off any excess fat prior to cooking, then slice it into 1″ thick pieces. This way the pork cooks quickly!
- Spices: You’ll need cinnamon, coriander, cardamom and nutmeg to create the most amazing spiced element.
- Gala Apple: Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples are wonderful swaps. You can also use Granny Smith apples if you prefer a more tart taste, but they will need a few more minutes of cooking time to become tender.
- Shallots: Feel free to use white onions instead if that’s what you already have on hand.
- Apple Cider: Any brand will work! So far, I’ve never met an apple cider that I didn’t like. Note: this is apple cider and NOT apple cider vinegar!
- Fresh Thyme: If you use dried thyme, reduce the amount by half.
How to Make This Pork Tenderloin With Apples
The fancy-looking sauce is only browned apples, shallots, and melted butter. It’s crazy easy, but adds so much flavor! Below is a quick overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions.
- Season the pork: Whisk the spices in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture on all sides of the pork.
- Cook the pork: Melt half the butter in the pan. Add the pork and cook it for 3 minutes on each side, until cooked to your liking. Place it in a baking dish, then pop it into the oven preheated to 250°F to keep warm. You can also cover it on a plate with foil to keep warm!
- Make the sauce: Melt the remaining butter in the pan. Add the apples and shallots. Cook them until the apples brown. Pour in the apple cider, gently scrape the bottom of the pan, and simmer briefly.
- Serve: Return the pork to the pan and coat it in the sauce. Stir in the fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately.
Chef’s Tips and Variations
- Add dried fruits: Throwing 1 tablespoon raisins or golden raisins into the sauce can add even more depth, texture, and more natural sweetness. Craisins are also a great choice!
- Swap the apple: Sliced pears and peaches can give you a similar kind of sweetness, so don’t be afraid to use them instead of apples.
- Marinate it: Whisk 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Rub the pork with the mixture and let it marinate in the fridge for up to 2 hours for extra flavor.
- Pork chops: You can also make this recipe using thin boneless pork chops!
What To Serve With Pork Tenderloin with Apples
- Holiday sides: This pork tenderloin with apples is a great main when served with traditional holiday sides. I love it with my best green bean casserole or garlic mashed potatoes.
- Veggies: These honey roasted carrots are always a hit, but I usually serve this pork with apples with some savory sautéed green beans with garlic!
- Bread: If you’re craving a side of bread, pair it with some homemade garlic knots or crusty easy beer bread.
Pork Tenderloin with Apples
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 lb pork tenderloin, trimmed & cut crosswise into 12 pieces
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 Gala apple, unpeeled and thinly sliced
- 2 large shallots, sliced
- ⅓ cup apple cider
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
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Instructions
- Optional: Preheat oven to 250°F to keep pork warm.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cardamom and nutmeg. Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over both sides of the pork.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in skillet. Add pork to pan. Cook 3 minutes on each side, or until desired degree of doneness. Remove pork from pan and place in an oven safe dish to keep pork warm in oven. Or you can wrap the pork in foil to keep it warm!
- Melt remaning 2 tablespoons butter in skillet, scarping pan to get any pork pieces up. Add apple slices and shallots. Cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until apple starts to brown.
- Add apple cider to pan, cook 3 minutes, or until apple slices are crisp-tender. Add pork back to the pan and toss to coat in sauce. Stir in thyme leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
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This is my new favorite way to make pork tenderloin, apples and pork is the perfect combo and this is juicy and delicious!!!
Pork tenderloin with apples in less than 30 minutes? WIN!
That looks absolutely delicious and I love the flavor combination 🙂
Oh, that looks gorgeous! I love your photos.
Have fun in NYC!
Yum! Pork goes really well with apples, doesn’t it? This looks like a great meal to serve as the weather is getting colder!
This looks like the perfect dinner dish. I love these flavors!
I can almost smell it!! Great combo and have fun in NY!!
I am also leaving for NYC tomorrow at 4:30 am! I wish I knew which bakeries were on your list. I’m trying to plan which ones I’m going to hit up right now! Have a great trip!
Apples and pork just go together. I can never get my pork to be juicy, so it helps hide the dryness in my case.
Pork + Apples = Heaven – this looks SO good! Have a great time in NYC!!!!!! I’m totally green with Envy! Until January… 😉
ps I looooove Phantom! Saw it on Broadway when I was in highschool and I can still sing it like a crazy person!
Ahh! Perfect! I have a tenderloin to use and an apple staring at me! Thanks 🙂
WHAT A STUNNING, stunning dish!! I love pork chops! Oh and nYC too of course 🙂
So excited for your trip to NYC!! I miss the city so much and want to get back there. Enjoy!!
This has me all sweaty. The good kind.
That close-up is to-die-for. So good!!
Have a blast in NYC!!
Have fun in New York! I love Phantom of the Opera, too. I will definitely be trying this recipe!
This looks amazing, so hearty and beautiful for Fall!