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Apple pork tenderloin medallions with apple wedges and light pan sauce
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Apple Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Seared and roasted pork tenderloin with mustard, thyme, tender apple wedges, onions, and a light cider-vinegar pan sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 276.6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/4 lb plain pork tenderloin 567 g, unseasoned; trim silver skin
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt 3 g
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 firm apples about 360 g after coring, skin on, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 1 medium onion 150 g, cut into thin wedges
  • 1 tbsp stone-ground Dijon mustard 15 g
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup unsalted chicken broth 120 ml
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 15 ml
  • 1 tsp unsalted butter 5 g

Equipment

  • 1 Ovenproof skillet 12 inches, safe at 425°F
  • 1 Tongs
  • 1 Instant-read thermometer
  • 1 Cutting board clean for rested pork
  • 1 Pastry brush for mustard
  • 1 Dry oven mitt skillet handle remains hot

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 425°F. Trim silver skin from pork without removing large pieces of meat. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides, turning with tongs, 6–8 minutes total. Transfer to a clean plate; it is not cooked through yet.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add apples and onion to the same skillet and cook 5 minutes, turning gently, until starting to soften and brown. If the pan is very dry, add 1 tablespoon of the measured broth rather than extra oil.
  3. Brush seared pork with mustard and sprinkle with thyme, reserving a pinch of fresh leaves for serving if desired. Set it on the apples and onions. Roast 12–20 minutes, checking early, until an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part reads at least 145°F. If apples are already tender, lift them out while pork finishes.
  4. Transfer pork to a clean cutting board and rest loosely covered for 5 minutes, never less than 3 minutes. Protect your hand from the hot skillet handle. Place skillet over medium heat, add remaining broth and vinegar, and scrape up browned bits. Simmer 3–5 minutes to reduce slightly and finish softening the apples and onions if needed. Stir in butter.
  5. Slice rested pork crosswise into 3/4-inch medallions. Divide among four plates with apples, onions, and sauce. Add the reserved pinch of fresh thyme, if using.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. Use within 3–4 days. Reheat covered with a splash of broth until pork reaches 165°F.

Video

Notes

Contains milk from butter; also contains mustard. Use plain pork tenderloin, not pork loin or a pre-marinated tenderloin. Pork must reach at least 145°F before removal and rest at least 3 minutes; the recipe allows 5. Nutrition is estimated for one quarter of all pork, fruit, onions, sauce, oil, and butter; sides are excluded.
Related video credit: Joanne and Adam Gallagher, Inspired Taste. Their method also sears tenderloin, adds mustard and thyme after browning, and roasts it with apples and onions. This smaller four-serving version uses one tenderloin, less butter, unsalted broth, and cider vinegar for a brighter pan sauce. Follow this card for amounts and timing.