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December 7, 2025Juicy Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions begins in a skillet and is finished in the oven with apple cider sauce, making it the perfect cozy fall dinner.
Try some of our other favorite tenderloin recipes like Braided Pork Tenderloin and Szechuan Pork Tenderloin, too!
There’s just something about pork, apples, and onions that screams cozy fall supper — the kind that makes your kitchen smell like comfort the moment the skillet hits the stovetop. It’s similar to our Crock Pot Cranberry Pork Tenderloin in that way.
This recipe takes the classic apple-and-onion combo up a notch with a pour of apple cider and a drizzle of honey for balance.
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The pork gets seared golden, finished in the oven, and bathed in a glossy pan sauce that’s equal parts savory and sweet. The pictures may feel restaurant-worthy, but this simple recipe comes together easily for a weeknight or a Sunday dinner around the table.
Ingredients
- Pork tenderloin
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Onions– slice into large pieces
- Apples- cooking apples, varieties include Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp
- Garlic
- Apple Cider– Not vinegar
- Honey
- Mustard
- Pecans: Toasted pecans add in texture, flavor and a finishing touch
- Spices: kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, sage, or rosemary, dried red chili flakes. Customize the flavors of your skillet with thyme, sage or rosemary.
How to make Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2: Pat pork tenderloins dry with paper towels. Next, generously season the tenderloins with salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet and sear pork on all sides until browned. This should take approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side. When complete, remove pork tenderloins from skillet and place on a plate.
Step 4: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add onions and sliced apples, cook for 5-6 minutes until softened and starting to caramelize.
Step 5: Stir in garlic cloves, add apple cider, mustard, honey and herbs if using. This will begin to bubble in the heat, allow it to do so for 1-2 minutes and then stir. Scraping up the browned bits from the pork tenderloin that was seared in the same skillet.
Step 6: Return the seared pork tenderloin to skillet and nestle into the apples and onions. Transfer the skillet to oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the tenderloins reach an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees F.
Step 6: Remove pork to rest on a cutting board, loosely tent the tenderloins with foil.
Step 7: Place the skillet with apples and onions back on the stovetop to simmer the juices until thickened, around 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and swirl the last tablespoon of cold butter over the top.
Step 8: Slice pork tenderloins against the grain and serve atop onions and apples. Garnish with chopped pecans, drizzled honey, and chili flakes, if desired.
What kind of apples work best with pork tenderloin?
Any variety of cooking apple will work with this recipe. We suggest Granny Smith apples for their tart and tangy flavor. Honeycrisp apples complement the pork as well with their sharp flavor and hint of sweetness.
How long does leftover pork tenderloin keep in the fridge?
Cooked pork tenderloin that is properly stored in an airtight container and kept cool in the refrigerator will be good for 3 to 5 days. Beyond that timeframe, the risk of foodborne illness increases.
What herbs and spices pair well with pork and apples?
Pork has a very generous palate for spices and herbs, this Pork Tenderloin Apples and Onions recipe includes optional thyme, sage, and rosemary. Each of these flavor profiles contributes to the dish’s overall experience.
What’s the best way to keep pork tender and juicy?
The best way to keep pork tender and juicy is to sear the meat. This step allows the juices to be held inside and the flavors of the spices to be infused throughout the meat.
More Pork Tenderloin Recipes
Pork tenderloin is a delicious cut of pork that is lean like a skinless chicken breast and packed with flavor. We love it as a main dish or even as an ingredient in dishes like our Pork Stroganoff. Want to get in a few more veggies? Try these easy Pork Tenderloin Kabobs. Or try a simple Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin.
Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions
Equipment
- Oven safe skillet or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 pork tenderloins 1.5 lbs each, ensure they are similar in size and weight
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 2 onions sliced
- 3-4 cooking apples sliced thick
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp thyme sage, or rosemary (optional)
- ½ cup apple cider NOT vinegar
- 2 Tbsp honey + more for drizzle if desired
- 2 tsp prepared mustard
- 2 Tbsp chopped toasted pecans optional
- Dried red chili flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Pat pork dry with paper towels2 pork tenderloins
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet.1 ½ Tbsp olive oil
- Sear pork on all sides until browned, 2–3 minutes per side.
- Remove to a plate (it will finish in the oven).
- In the same skillet, melt 2 Tbsp butter, onions and apples. Cook 5-6 minutes.3 Tbsp butter, 2 onions, 3-4 cooking apples
- Stir in garlic cloves. Add apple cider, mustard, honey and herbs if using; let it bubble for 1–2 minutes, scraping up browned bits.1 garlic clove, ½ cup apple cider, 2 Tbsp honey + more for drizzle, 2 tsp prepared mustard, 1 tsp thyme
- Return pork tenderloin to skillet, nestling into the apples and onions.
- Transfer skillet to oven. Roast until pork reaches 140–145°F internal temp, about 15 to 18 minutes.
- Remove pork to rest on a cutting board, loosely tented with foil.
- Place the skillet with apples/onions back on the stovetop, simmer 5 minutes, until thickened.
- Off heat, swirl in 1–2 Tbsp cold butter. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Slice pork against the grain and serve it atop onions and apples.
- Garnish with chopped toasted pecans, drizzled honey, and chili flakes, if desired.2 Tbsp chopped toasted pecans, Dried red chili flakes
