Pork Tenderloin with Apples

Nervous about cooking a pork tenderloin? Well, this recipe for roasted pork tenderloin with apples will give you the most fork-tender, juicy pork.  Serve it with some Roasted Green Beans or Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes for a quick and easy dinner.

Pork and apples make a classic combination that is kicked up a notch in this tasty recipe. Instead of the classic pairing of pork chops and applesauce, we’re going to use a whole pork tenderloin and cook it with sliced apples, onions, and thyme in the oven.

The resulting dish is a perfectly cooked pork tenderloin with roasted apples. Some of the apples will break down more than others creating a yummy sauce on the bottom of the pan that can be served over the roasted pork.

Why We Love This Dish

• Quick and easy: This dish uses just 6 ingredients other than oil, salt, and pepper. It's ready in just 30 minutes!
• Family favorite: Who doesn't love pork and apples? We love this recipe because it has familiar flavors cooked in a new way.
• Feels fancy: Although this recipe is easy to prepare, it feels special enough for a holiday or dinner party.
• Healthy: While many dishes for pork and apples are high in saturated fat from fried pork chops, this one is made with lean pork tenderloin making it lighter and healthier. 

Looking for more ways to cook pork tenderloin? Try this delicious Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin or Balsamic Honey Pork Tenderloin with Pears.

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Besides the obvious pork tenderloin, here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this mouthwatering pork roast with apples at home:

• Dijon Mustard: Make sure to use dijon mustard, stone ground mustard, or whole grain mustard. The mustard adds the perfect “tang” that draws out and complements the pork flavor. Do not use yellow mustard.
• Herbs and Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and fresh thyme come together in a perfect seasoning blend that is both understated and yet elevates the flavors in this dish to their full potential.
• Apples: You could slice them, but I like to chop them so that they cook down into almost an applesauce-type of sauce that can go on the pork tenderloin when you serve it. No need to peel them!
• Onion: Slices of onions will cook down with the apples while infusing them and your pork with loads of flavor and tenderizing the meat.
• Chicken broth: This will keep the pork moist and tender. I recommend using the low-sodium variety to better control the level of salt in the dish. Vegetable broth also works. 

Note: For a full list of ingredients and detailed instructions on how to make this roasted pork recipe, check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!

Recipe Tips And Ideas

Here are some ideas for variations you can make to this recipe so that it comes out perfectly every single time!

• Try to avoid overcooking your pork. Overcooking your meat will leave you with unappetizing, dry pork tenderloin. To prevent overcooking, stop roasting your pork when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to double-check that your meat is done.
• Roasting your pork with chicken broth adds flavor and ensures juicy tenderloin. If you want an extra pop of flavor, add 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the chicken broth as you bake it.
• I recommend using Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Ambrosia apples as they will resist turning to mush as they cook and hold their shape and texture.

What To Serve With This Pork Tenderloin

This pork tenderloin has so much over-the-top flavor that simple side dishes are the perfect pairings to make a complete meal you’ll crave. Here are a few of our favorite side dishes to serve with it:

• Potatoes: In my opinion, our mashed potatoes or butternut squash mashed potatoes are must-have side dishes for this roasted pork with apples.
• Mashed Cauliflower: If you want a low-carb option, try our roasted garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes.
• Vegetables: You can’t go wrong with this parmesan roasted cauliflower or this recipe for roasting almost any veggie you have on hand. I have even made these roasted green beans and they turned out delicious. Or consider adding cabbage and potatoes, like in this Roasted Pork Loin with Cabbage recipe.
• Salad: A green salad is a classic side dish for roasted pork tenderloin. I love serving this pork roast with some healthy kale caesar salad!

Frequently Asked Questions About Pork Roast With Apples

Here are some common questions I get asked by some readers…

Is pork loin and tenderloin the same cut of meat?

Since the names sound so similar, it would be completely understandable to think they are the same cuts of meat. However, that’s not the case.

Pork tenderloin is a long, lean muscle that runs along the spine. Because it’s not a heavily used muscle, it’s very tender. Pork loin comes from the rib section and is often cut into chops or roasts.

Since these two cuts of meat are different, they cannot be cooked the same way.

How do I know when pork tenderloin is fully cooked?

The exact cooking time needed will vary depending on the size of your tenderloin. More important than time, however, is the internal temperature of your tenderloin. Roasted pork tenderloin is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

More Delicious Pork Recipes You’ll Love

• Slow Cooker Balsamic Honey Pork Tenderloin with Pears
• Southwestern Grilled Pork Chops
• Crispy Baked Pork Cutlets
• Sheet Pan Pork Chops, Potatoes, and Green Beans
• Grilled Pork Chops