Easy Apple Cider Braised Pork Tenderloin Recipe
This incredibly tender pork tenderloin is braised in apple cider with garlic and thyme, resulting in a silky, lightly sweet sauce. It’s a simple, hands-off weeknight dinner that feels like a Sunday supper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 to 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin
- 2 cups unfiltered apple cider
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Let the pork tenderloin sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- Trim any silver skin from the tenderloin. Pat dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- In a Dutch oven, combine the apple cider, smashed garlic, and fresh thyme sprigs.
- Place the seasoned pork tenderloin into the cider mixture.
- Cover and braise in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part.
- Transfer the pork to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- While the pork rests, place the Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium heat. Simmer the cider mixture for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly thickened and syrupy. Remove the thyme sprigs and garlic cloves. Whisk in the butter until melted and glossy. Stir in Dijon mustard if using.
- Slice the pork into 1-inch medallions, spoon the warm sauce over the top, and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use unfiltered apple cider, not apple juice. Let the pork rest before slicing to keep it juicy. If the sauce is too thin, simmer longer; if too thick, add a splash of cider. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 32
Keywords: apple cider braised pork tenderloin, easy pork recipe, fall dinner, braised pork, pork tenderloin