• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipe Index

Feasting not Fasting

Because life's too short to be hungry

  • Home
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Lunches
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Condiments
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Stews
  • By Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Blender
    • Crock Pot/Slow Cooker
    • Freezer
    • Instant Pot
    • Oven
  • By Diet
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
    • Keto
    • Low-Carb
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Appetizers
  • Baked Goods
  • Breakfast
  • Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Snacks
Home » Recipes » Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

December 16, 2018 by Christy Gurin, Updated January 31, 2023 3 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Pin Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Pin86
Share
Tweet
Yum
86 Shares

Pork tenderloin with apples and onions is a flavorful one pan dinner that is seared, baked with carrots and potatoes, then topped with a rich apple brandy sauce made from the pan drippings.

Table of Contents

  • Why you’ll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
    • Main Ingredients
    • Spice rub ingredients
    • Sauce Ingredients
  • Substitutions and variations
  • Step by step process
  • Tips and tricks for making pork tenderloin with apples and onions
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Other recipes you’ll love
  • Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions
    • Ingredients US CustomaryMetric
      • Rub
      • Other Ingredients
      • Sauce
    • Instructions
    • Notes
    • Nutrition
      • did you make this recipe?
Close up overhead of cooked pork tenderloin with apples on a serving plate with vegetables

If you’ve had pork tenderloin with apples, you know they’re a match made in heaven. Pork and apples are tried and true companions. Add onions and root vegetables and you have yourself a delicious full meal. And the combination of spice rub, sauce and caramelization that happens and it turns from already delicious to wow-worthy!

This delicious meal showcases one of my favorite meats to cook with – pork tenderloin. It’s so versatile, and I love that it’s a leaner and super tender cut of meat. I’m obsessed with it in this recipe and also these pork tenderloin carnitas are always a hit if you’re looking for more pork tenderloin recipes.

While plant based meals have their place, we eat meat regularly as well. If you want to check out some of my other healthy meat forward dinner recipes, I highly recommend my turkey quinoa cabbage rolls, these bison meatballs, or my famously easy citrus chicken which is similar to this recipe in it’s simplicity and being paired with a decadent sauce.

close up of pork slices on a plate with apples, carrots and potatoes

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Caramelized vegetables + juicy pork + rich and delicious 5 minute brandy sauce made with pan drippings = A DREAM!
  • Simple one-dish meal
  • Light and healthy due to using a lean cut of pork … even with brandy and butter!
  • Variety of nutrients from sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, apples and baby potatoes
  • Impressive to serve to guests and only takes 5 minutes to make the sauce and another 5 minutes to plate and serve meaning more time to hang out and relax
  • There are lot of recipes out there for pork tenderloin with apples that use as slow cooker or crockpot but in this recipe the apples stay intact and don’t disintegrate! This is just as easy and so much more satisfying.
Cooked pork tenderloin in a pan with apples and vegetables from side angle

Ingredients

There are three different ingredient groupings from the main ones, spice rub to the apple brandy sauce. That doesn’t mean the recipe is complicated though! It all comes together in no time.

pork tenderloin with vegetables, apples and other raw ingredients laid out

Main Ingredients

  • Pork tenderloin: Pork is the perfect, impressive lean meat to serve for a gathering or simple night in! When pork tenderloin gets seared and then baked, it locks in the juices keeping it incredibly moist!
  • Avocado oil: You’ll use this as the base when searing the pork. You can substitute it with another oil with a high smoke point but I do not recommend olive oil since it will smoke.
  • Baby potatoes: You’ll halve and cut baby potatoes before caramelizing. They’re a good source of vitamin C, and you’ll get the most benefit from them if you leave the skin on.
  • Carrots: Carrots are another perfect veggie to add to the mix in this recipe. They provide extra flavor, an extra texture, and extra nutrients!
  • Sweet potato: Yay for another versatile vegetable. Sweet potatoes are nutrient dense, and one serving actually has all the Vitamin A you need for the entire day!
  • Onion: A sliced onion adds an extra kick of flavor and adds great texture.
  • Apples: Apples and pork are a match made in heaven! You can use whatever apples you’d prefer!

Spice rub ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to pull from the spice cabinet to make the spice rub.

  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Smoked paprika – or regular is fine!
  • Chili powder – the standard Mexican variety of chili powder blend.
  • Sea salt
  • Coconut sugar or brown sugar (you can definitely skip this if you want)

Sauce Ingredients

  • Apple brandy – or you can sub in regular brandy, whisky or bourbon or even white wine, pinot noir or whatever you’re drinking
  • Unsweetened apple juice – I used a kid’s juice box and it turned out great and was just the right amount.
  • Butter – can sub dairy free butter or ghee here to make this dairy free.
  • Salt and black pepper to taste – trust me, you’ll be wanting to taste test the sauce at this point!
hand pouring sauce onto pork slices

Substitutions and variations

This recipe is easy to tweak and make your own or adjust to what you have on hand. Here are some ideas:

  • Add fresh thyme, rosemary or other fresh herbs to the spice mix or use instead of the chili powder for a different flavor altogether. Dijon mustard would be lovely paired with herbs too if you go that route.
  • Add a dash of cinnamon to the spice mixture and a splash of maple syrup to the brandy sauce for a unique, warm fall flavor.
  • Add or swap parsnips, cubed butternut squash or other firm winter vegetables that cook at the same rate as potatoes and carrots.
  • I would NOT recommend substituting the pork tenderloin for another cut of pork without making other adjustments. If using a pork loin roast it will need longer to cook. Adjust cooking time to 20 minutes per pound and add the veggies and apples for the last 40 minutes of the cook time.
plate with sliced pork tenderloin and carrots and apple next to it

Step by step process

  1. Cut all of the veggies and apples on your cutting board.
  2. Mix all rub ingredients together before rubbing the mixture onto your pork.
  3. Sear tenderloin in oil in a large skillet or dutch oven on medium-high heat. Remove from the pan.
  4. Sear veggies and allow them to caramelize. Season to taste.
  5. Add apples to the pan and toss, pushing veggies and apples to the sides.
  6. Add pork back into the center of the pan and bake until cooked through.
  7. Remove the veggies and pork from the oven and then place on a large platter.
  8. Make sauce in that same pan and then serve on top of the the tender pork and veggies.

Then, of course, EAT! It’s that easy!

process step pictures for making pork tenderloin with apples

Tips and tricks for making pork tenderloin with apples and onions

Don’t skip the sauce – I can guarantee you won’t regret it. The brandy cooks down and doesn’t taste boozy at all, just rich and delicious.

Don’t skimp on the seasoning – If your pork is larger than the size listed in the recipe, be sure to make a bit more seasoning so that it is evenly covered.

Scrape up the sugar – this prevents it from burning when you cook the meat. I used coconut sugar, but you could easily sub for brown sugar if you want OR if you don’t want to deal with this, you can leave out the sugar.

Use a large pan – I used this Lodge 12” cast iron skillet, and the pork tenderloin and veggies just barely fit. If you don’t have a big oven proof skillet or dutch oven like that, you’ll have to transfer the pork and veggies to another pan to bake and then pour as much of the pan drippings as possible back into a skillet for the sauce so you don’t loose that meaty flavor.

fork with bite for pork and veggies and meal in background

Frequently asked questions

What type of apple pairs best with pork?

If you’ve had pork tenderloin with apples, you know they’re a match made in heaven. There are so many kinds of apples that you can use, and you can truly use what you prefer or have on hand! I tried it with sweet apples like Fuji, gala, and envy apples and all were seamlessly delicious. I think a tart green apple like granny smith apples would be great too.

Should I bake my pork tenderloin covered or uncovered?

Covering pork in the oven can help preserve the flavors, but in this recipe, it’s not necessary! The oven temperature and cook time can help keep this meat nice and juicy without the tent. However, I would recommend covering the dish with aluminum foil after removing from the oven to keep it warm while you make the sauce.

What is the best temperature to cook pork tenderloin?

I recommend cooking the pork at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking it in a hotter oven for a shorter amount of time can help prevent the pork from drying out!

How long do you cook pork tenderloin in the oven at 350?

All ovens bake differently, so it’s best to cook pork until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the tenderloin reaches about 145-150 degrees F. The pork will be juicy and slightly pink in the middle. Simply cook for an extra few minutes if you’d rather not have any pink meat.

overhead view of cooked pork tenderloin on a plate with apples and vegetables

Other recipes you’ll love

  • Chicken Potato Casserole
  • Chorizo Sweet Potato Skillet
  • Homemade Turkey Spaghetti Sauce
Recipe
Picture of Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Root Vegetables in a skillet
Recipe
5 from 1 vote
click the stars to rate!

Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

Created by: Christy Gurin
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 55 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 55 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
4
Pork tenderloin with apples and onions is a flavorful one pan dinner that is seared, baked with veggies, then topped with apple brandy sauce.

Ingredients
 

Rub

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar

Other Ingredients

  • 1.75 lb. pork tenderloin anywhere roughly between 1.5 – 2 lbs.
  • 1 Tablespoon avocado oil, divided or other oil with a high smoke point
  • 1/2 lb. baby potatoes, halved or quartered into 1″ pieces
  • 1/2 lb. carrots, peeled and halved and cut into 1″ pieces
  • 1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1″ pieces
  • 1 medium onion, sliced into 8 large wedges
  • 2 medium apples, cored and sliced

Sauce

  • 2 Tablespoon apple brandy or regular brandy, whisky or bourbon
  • 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
  • 1 Tablespoon butter can sub dairy free butter
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400° F (205° C).
  • Mix all rub ingredients together in a small bowl and then rub onto pork tenderloin. 
  • Heat half of the oil in an oven proof skillet* or dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add pork tenderloin and sear for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and let rest on a plate. Scrape as much of the burned sugar off the pan as you easily can and discard.
  • Add remaining oil, potatoes, carrots, sweet potato, and onion. Let vegetables caramelize, stirring every 1-2 minutes for 7-10 minutes. Do not stir too often since you want to sear the veggies.
  • Season vegetables with salt and pepper and then stir in apple slices. 
  • Push vegetables and apples to outer rim and lay pork tenderloin in middle. 
  • Place pan in oven and bake for 25-35 minutes until pork, vegetables and apples are cooked through. The internal temperature of the pork should be 145 – 150° F (63-66° C) since it will continue cooking as it rests.
  • Remove pan from oven and place pork on a serving platter with apples, onions and vegetables around it. Cover or tent with foil to keep warm while you make the sauce.
  • Place the pan on the stovetop and turn the burner to low heat. Add the brandy and use a wooden spoon to deglaze and scrape up as much of the browned bits as you can. 
  • Add apple juice, bring to a simmer, and reduce to about half a cup (5-7 minutes). Add butter and season with salt and pepper. 
  • Slice pork tenderloin and serve with vegetables and sauce. 

Notes

  • If using two smaller tenderloins instead, you will need to cook the vegetables longer on the stovetop before baking with pork in the oven to make sure they are done at the same time. You will also need to adjust the cooking time for the pork. Make sure to leave space between the two tenderloins so that they aren’t touching.
  • If your skillet isn’t oven proof, transfer pork and vegetables to an oven safe dish to bake. When finished, try to get as much of the pan drippings off and back into the original pan to make the sauce. The skillet I used was 12 inches.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 957mg | Potassium: 1365mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 15925IU | Vitamin C: 22.5mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 3.3mg

did you make this recipe?

Make sure to follow on Pinterest @feastingnotfasting and on Instagram @feastingnotfasting

Originally published December 16, 2018 but post content has been revised since then.

posted in: Dairy-Free, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Main Dishes, Oven, Pork, Recipes, Stovetop

Previous
Almond Joy Chia Seed Pudding
Next
Brown Rice Risotto with Butternut Squash & Mushrooms

Reader Interactions

    Leave a Review Cancel reply

    If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. I read every review and your support means a lot to me!

    Sincerely,
    Christy

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Comments & Reviews

  1. Kelley says

    October 31, 2021

    5 stars
    This was the best pork dish I’ve ever made! It was easy and super tender–delicious!

    Reply
    • Christy says

      November 10, 2021

      Oh I’m so happy to hear it!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. rylee wood says

    July 11, 2020

    thanks for this blog.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Christy - Author of Feasting Not Fasting.

Hi, Im Christy

The foodie, photographer and recipe developer behind Feasting Not Fasting, a site centered on making it easier to eat healthy.

More About Me
almond flour blueberry muffin on a plate with bite taken out

Simple healthy recipes straight to your inbox!

Subscribe for the newsletter for all the latest recipes delivered straight to you.

Sign up

Featured Recipes

  • overhead picture of Mediterranean eggplant salad in a white bowl
    Mediterranean Eggplant Salad
  • Close up picture of chicken taco seasoning blend in a white bowl
    Chicken Taco Seasoning
  • close up picture of kale salad on a white plate
    Lemon Kale Salad
  • Prosciutto Melon Skewers
  • These baked pears with honey and almonds are the perfect healthy dessert for the holidays with cranberries and a nutty crunch all for 200 calories!
    Baked Pears with Honey and Almonds
  • I'm in love with this beet smoothie! Its delicious, high in protein and has the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the earthiness of the beets.
    Beet Smoothie with Strawberries and Kale
Allure Logo.
Boston Mag Logo.
Buzzfeed Logo.
Glamour Logo.
Healthline Logo.
The Huffington Post Logo.
MSN Logo.
sheknows Logo.
almond flour blueberry muffin on a plate with bite taken out

Simple healthy recipes straight to your inbox!

Feasting Not Fasting

About

  • About the Blog
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Collaboration

By Method

  • Air Fryer
  • Blender
  • Slow Cooker
  • Freezer
  • Instant Pot
  • Oven
  • Stovetop

By Diet

  • Dairy-Free
  • Gluten-Free
  • Keto
  • Low-Carb
  • Meal Prep
  • Paleo
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian

By Course

  • Appetizers
  • Baked Goods
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Lunches
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
©2023, Feasting not Fasting. About Contact Privacy Policy Back To Top
Design by Pixel Me Designs
×

Simple healthy recipes straight to your inbox!

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
Save & Accept