Baked Pork Tenderloin with Apples balances the savory flavor of roasted pork with the bright sweetness of apples and the tangy zest of a mustard glaze. With only 5 minutes of prep time, this delicious and healthy dinner is quick and easy, too!

 

Baked Pork Tenderloin With Apples

Apple season is almost here, and you’ll be glad to have this pork tenderloin with apples recipe in your back pocket when you return from the orchard with a bag of fresh-picked apples. This dish isn’t just for the fall, though. Baked to tender perfection in the oven, this pork can be made any time of year and with any type of apple.

Pork tenderloin is lean and very tender, just like the name suggests. Its thinness makes it quick to cook but also quick to dry out, which is where the sumptuous glaze comes in. Packed with flavor, the sweet and tangy apple mustard glaze keeps the pork juicy and tender enough to fall apart in your mouth.

Looking for more ways to cook pork tenderloin? Try this Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin or my Juicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin. Honey Garlic Roast Pork Tenderloin is a great option too!

Why We Love This Honey Mustard Pork Tenderloin

Here are a few reasons this pork tenderloin recipe has become a favorite in our house.

• Quick Cooking: Pork tenderloin’s thinness ensures a swift cooking time.
• Lean and Tender: Just as its name suggests, this cut is both low in fat and supremely tender.
• Moisture Lock: The sweet and tangy apple mustard glaze not only infuses flavor but also keeps the pork from drying out, ensuring a juicy bite every time.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth: With the glaze’s help, the pork becomes so tender it practically falls apart in your mouth.

What You’ll Need

This honey mustard pork tenderloin recipe combines various fresh and healthy ingredients into one irresistible dish. See the recipe card below for specific amounts.

• Pork Tenderloin: I do not recommend making a substitution here.
• Salt & Pepper
• Onion: Any bulb onion will work.
• Apples: Sliced into wedges. Keep the vitamin-packed peels on for an added boost of fiber.
• Apple Juice & Apple Cider Vinegar – Using both adds a balance of sweet and tangy apple flavor.
• Dijon Mustard – Used to create the apple mustard glaze.
• Sage: Chop the sage to bring out its flavor.

Can I Use A Different Cut of Pork?

Not all cuts of pork are created equal. Different cuts need to be cooked and prepared differently, so it’s not a good idea to trade one for another. While pork loin and pork tenderloin might sound similar, they are not the same thing. Pork tenderloin is a much thinner cut of meat, so using pork loin in this recipe will lead to an undercooked dish.

How To Make Pork Tenderloin with Apples

This pork tenderloin recipe makes the perfect weeknight dinner but it’s also fancy enough for special occasions too.

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
2. Prep for Cooking: Chop the sage and cut the apples and onions both into 1-inch wedges. Grease a roasting pan with a thin layer of cooking spray.
3. Season the Pork: Sprinkle salt and freshly ground pepper over your pork tenderloin and then transfer it into the greased pan. Arrange the onion and apple wedges around the meat, then put the roasting pan aside.
4. Make the Glaze: Whisk the apple juice, apple cider vinegar and mustard together in a mixing bowl until combined. Stir in the chopped sage. Pour the mixture over the meat evenly.
5. Cook: Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil. Roast it in the preheated oven for 20 minutes with the foil on, then remove the foil and put the pan back in the oven.
6. Baste the Pork: Over the next 15-20 minutes, use a long-handled spoon to baste the pork every 5 minutes. Do not remove the pan from the oven. Each time you baste the meat, check the internal temperature of the pork with a food thermometer. When the internal temperature gets up to 145˚F, the pork has cooked through.
7. Let It Rest: Take the pan out of the oven and move the meat onto a cutting board. The meat needs to rest for at least 10 minutes before it’s cut to lock in the juices.
8. Serve: Cut the roasted pork tenderloin into half-inch slices. Serve it along with the apples and onions from the pan. Pour some of the glaze from the pan over each serving to maximize the flavor.

Tips & Tricks

This oven-roasted pork tenderloin with apples is a wholesome dinner that’s easy enough for a hectic weeknight. These quick tips will help you get the best results every time.

• Score the Pork: Creating scores, or small cuts, on the top of the tenderloin before putting it in the pan helps to tenderize the meat. It also helps the pork to absorb more flavor from the glaze.
• Let It Rest: Not only is it important to let the meat rest for 10 minutes after you cook it, but it’s also helpful to let it sit beforehand. The pork cooks better if it’s not cold when it goes into the oven, and giving it time to soak in the marinade can give the meat a stronger flavor.
• Make It Your Own: Choose to use green apples for more tartness or red apples for a sweeter flavor. Red onion will be a bit spicier, while white onion is usually milder. Whole grain dijon mustard will give the dish a sharper edge than the softer flavor of ground dijon. You can experiment with different ingredients until you find the perfect combination.

Serving Suggestions

Baked pork tenderloin with apple mustard glaze is great when paired with other autumn favorites like Sweet Potato Hash with Onions and Feta or this thick and creamy Butternut Squash Soup. A crisp and refreshing Broccoli Apple Salad would also tie in well, particularly if you’re looking to use up that big bag of fresh-picked apples!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Fridge: Pork tenderloin leftovers should be kept in the fridge for no more than 4 days. Any container that is used to store it should be airtight so that the meat doesn’t dry out.
• To Reheat: You can reheat the pork over the stove, in the oven, or in a covered container in the microwave. It’s helpful to save some of the juices from the pan so you can drizzle them over the pork before reheating.
• To Freeze: Pork tenderloin will keep its flavor and texture well for 3 months in the freezer. The trick to making it taste fresh again is to whip up some more of the glaze and pour it on the meat before you warm it up.

More Hearty Dinner Ideas

Pork tenderloin isn’t just an autumn dish. If you want the tender juiciness of this cut but don’t have any apple products on hand, try one of the recipes below.

• Grilled Pork Tenderloin
• Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
• Balsamic Roasted Pork Tenderloin
• Sheet Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus