Need an easy one pan naturally gluten-free meal for busy weeknights? Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Apples is bursting with fall flavors and is a cinch to prepare.
Though school has been in session here for a month and we should totally be in the weeknight dinner time swing, finding easy, delicious recipes is always a challenge. I’m still deluged with dinner idea S.O.S. pleas from friends and readers seeking simple recipes to keep their households going on busy weeknights. I will confess I too seem to lose the school year formula after a lazy summer of casual meals at all times of the evening. Today I’m sharing a one pan dish that’s both a cinch to make but bursting with fall flavors: Apple Cider Pork Tenderloins with Potatoes and Apples.
If you are a chicken lover, this roasted chicken recipe with similar ingredients is one you’ll love too!
For me pork tenderloin is synonymous with easy meals. They absorb marinade flavors beautifully and generally cook in less than 30 minutes. If I can whip up a marinade and put some meat in it overnight leaving only the cooking the next evening, my life feels so much more manageable. Between after school activities, and homework help, the easier the meal the easier our nights go.
It’s not an option to shortcut great flavors either as that defeats the benefits of quick preparation. I love fall flavors and their hint that cooler temperatures are on the way. Apples of course are at their peak in fall and pair wonderfully with pork. Adding apple cider to the marinade and sliced apples to the bed of potatoes and sweet onions, leave the pork tenderloins tasting like autumn. The potatoes, onions and apples are a great complement to the pork making it a full meal from a single pan. Throw in a green salad and you are done!
The pork tenderloins are perfectly cooked, juicy with a wonderful texture. They are removed from the oven based on their internal temperature which ensures they are succulent and do not dry out (which can happen with leaner cuts of meat like a pork tenderloin). Did you know meat continues to ‘cook’ once removed from the oven? Letting meat rest allows it to come to full temperature when removed at slightly less than the desired end internal temperature.
I always make two tenderloins to streamline my meal preparation for the week. Depending on how many you are feeding, pork tenderloin makes great leftovers. You could have a second meal or slice the pork for sandwiches or to top a green salad.
Recipe
Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Apples Recipe
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients:
- 12 ounces Apple Cider
- 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
- 2 teaspoons Dry Mustard
- 3 cloves Garlic Peeled and diced
- 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme Lemon thyme if available
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Rest of Ingredients
- 2 1-pounds Pork Tenderloin Rinsed and patted dry with paper towels
- 1/2 large Vidalia Sweet Onion Peeled and thinly sliced, yellow onion may be substituted
- 1 large Apple Cored and sliced into thin wedges
- 1 pound Small Red Potatoes Cut into bite size pieces
Instructions
Marinating the ingredients:
- Add the apple cider, vegetable oil, mustard, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper into a gallon zippered plastic bag.
- Seal and shake to combine the ingredients.
- Add the pork tenderloins, and seal the bag squeezing as much air out as possible.
- Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.
Cooking the Tenderloins:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a 13 by 9-inch baking dish add the potatoes in a single layer, followed by the onions and apple slices.
- Place the pork tenderloin on top and evenly distribute the marinade in the pan.
- Bake for 45 minutes, check the internal temperature with a food thermometer and remove the pork tenderloins from the oven when they reach 145°F (for medium rare) or 150°F (medium).
- When removing the tenderloins, check the potatoes for doneness. If cooked, remove with the tenderloins; if needing to cook longer leave in the oven until they are done.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
This Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Apples Recipe is a contribution to Food Fanatic in my role as as the Naturally Gluten-Free Fanatic.
Rosey says
That’s a great recipe for Fall. Happy first day of the cooler sesaon! 🙂
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
That looks good! Great photography!
Crystal says
Even my pickiest eater is a fan of pork recipes. This sounds like a great recipe for a yummy family dinner.
Shell says
I usually don’t make pork tenderloin, but this recipe looks really good. I might have to give it a try!
Nikki Wayne says
That looks so lovely! I want to cook it too for these coming weekends. My hubby will like this.
Johnna Perry says
Oh, I bet the potatoes and apples taste amazing after being baked in the marinade!
Nicole Escat says
Oh, this looks new to me but very interesting. I like your plating, I will try it soon!
Toni Dash says
If you haven’t made pork tenderloin you MUST! It is a very light flavor cut of meat, cooks in less than 30 minutes and if cooked properly is very succulent. It is easy to marinade in anything and is a great standby especially for busy nights.
Beeb Ashcroft says
This looks like one of the most perfect fall dinners. Sounds and looks delicious!
Kelly Hutchinson says
This looks lick such a great fall dish! My husband loves pork tenderloin! I know what’s for dinner this weekend!
Chavonne H says
My family loves pork tenderloin, it looks incredible over potatoes and apples. I like the idea of using apple cider too. This is the ultimate fall meal!