Fall is the perfect time for pork tenderloin with apples! It is such an easy, delicious meal with only 10 minutes of prep required. Prep it in the morning and by evening a hearty and healthy dinner is ready to serve. The pork is so tender and flavorful! This is a great way to use apples in the fall!
Original post: October 2014 | Updated: August 2022
Why This Recipe Works
We make this pork tenderloin with apples recipe frequently in the late summer and fall. The meat comes out so perfectly moist and tender and infused with a delicious apple-onion flavor. The moisture from the apples helps to tenderize the meat.
If you are looking for a super easy meal to fill all the bellies around your table, this is your recipe. It requires a mere ten minutes of prep time and brings unique yet delicious flavor to the table. Grab your slow cooker along with just a few ingredients and let’s make dinner!
Recipe Ingredients
Pork loin – Your local grocer will pre-package the pork loin for you, but look for that pinkish-red color with some marbling on the meat. The fat adds flavor!
Many pre-packaged pork tenderloins come in packages of two, so be aware of this. You can easily double the recipe following the same cook time and everything will cook perfectly.
Apples – Select a few different varieties of apples to achieve really great flavor. Choose from the sweet and tart list below! Then peel, core and chop them and add the sliced apples to a large bowl half filled with cool water. Squeeze the juice of half of a lemon into it.
The lemon juice will keep the apples from getting brown while prepping for the recipe.
Apple cider – If you do not have apple cider on hand, apple juice is an acceptable substitute.
Onions – Yellow or white onions both work great for this recipe.
How To Make A Tender Pork Tenderloin Meal In Your Crock Pot
Step 1
Place a 1.5-pound pork tenderloin (use up to a 3-lb loin) in a crock pot along with apple slices, onion slices and apple cider. Sea salt or kosher salt and ground black pepper never hurt.
Step 2
Cover and cook on high heat for 4 to 5 hours. Cut the pork and place on a serving platter. Pour the apple-onion mixture over the top of each serving.
Recipe Notes
- If you prefer to let this cook slower and longer, you can adjust your cook time to 7-8 hours on low heat.
- This main dish does not need any further condiments to give it great flavor but I know many people love a good BBQ sauce to dip their meat into. If this is you, try this wonderful homemade sauce!
- With any remaining apples you have, try some of my other favorite apple recipes!
- It is super easy to cook this recipe in the oven instead of a crockpot! Create a delicious roasted pork tenderloin recipe by combining all ingredients in a baking dish or roasting pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook for 20 minutes per pound of meat, or until the internal temp has reached 145 degrees F.
- Give the meat a bit of spice by adding red pepper flakes or 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
What To Serve With Pork
Pork is such a great main course or party food option, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal effort. But what do you serve alongside this savory dish? Read on for 20 perfect side dish options to serve with pork!
Types of Apples To Use With Pork Tenderloin
I recommend using a variety of apples and at the very least, use two kinds: one sweet and one tart. My favorite combo is Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples.
Sweet/Softer Apple Brands
- Fuji
- Honeycrisp
- Red Delicious
- Golden Delicious
- Cortland
- Gala
Tart (or a little Sour) Apple Brands
- Granny Smith
- McIntosh
- Ida Red
- Braeburn
- Empire
- Jonathan
FAQ About Pork Tenderloin
Not to be confused with the similar pork loin, these two cuts of meat come from the same animal but appear different and have several important differences, as well. Pork tenderloin is thin and small. It is known for being tender, as its name suggests. It also has a fine-grain texture to it.
A good visual cue to select your pork tenderloin would be to pick pork that is pinkish-red in color. It should also have some marbling, or fat through the meat because that will give the meat flavor as it cooks.
Pork tenderloin is a healthy cut of meat, similar to boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They are also a great source of protein, Vitamin B6 and more.
The internal temperature of a pork tenderloin should reach 145° F.
The USDA shares that you can cook pork tenderloin and as long as it reaches 145° F while cooking and then allowing it to rest a few minutes, it is safe to eat even when you visually notice the meat is pinkish in hue.
Delicious Apple Recipes
- Homemade Apple Cider is so good when made in your slow cooker! It’ll warm you from the inside out with amazing flavors. It’s a must-have fall drink and tastes so much better when you make it yourself.
- This is officially the most delicious loaf of bread you’ll ever eat. Apple pie bread is infused with all the flavors of an apple pie! Juicy apples along with a streusel make up a perfect bite of moist bread.
- Enjoy Apple Coffee Cake as an indulgent breakfast treat or an any-time snack or dessert!
- Apple Carrot Muffins are moist and yummy and will not last long in your kitchen. Great as a snack, breakfast or dessert!
Yummy Pork Recipes
- This easy roasted pork is delicious, affordable and easy, done in 30 minutes! The ingredients are likely already in your kitchen. Enjoy it as a Whole30 compliant and low carb meal, too!
- This is the best pulled pork meal and it requires only 4 ingredients and minimal effort. Dinner could not get any easier than this! Spoon into hamburger buns and serve at your next gathering or for family dinner this week.
- This is my mom’s pan fried pork chops recipe. Make the chops while steaming some veggies and dinner will be done in less than 20 minutes!
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Pork Tenderloin With Apples and Onions Recipe
Equipment
- Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb pork loin
- 3 large apples peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 cup apple cider
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the pork loin into a crockpot. Pour the apples, onion slices and apple cider over top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 7 to 8 hours.
- Cut the pork into quarters and serve, pouring the apples, onion and remaining sauce over the top.
Notes
- If you prefer to let this cook slower and longer, you can adjust your cook time to 7-8 hours on low heat.
- This main dish does not need any further condiments to give it great flavor but I know many people love a good BBQ sauce to dip their meat into. If this is you, try this wonderful homemade sauce!
- With any remaining apples you have, try some of my other favorite apple recipes!
- It is super easy to cook this recipe in the oven instead of a crockpot! Create a delicious roasted pork tenderloin recipe by combining all ingredients in a baking dish or roasting pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook for 20 minutes per pound of meat, or until the internal temp has reached 145 degrees F.
- Give the meat a bit of spice by adding red pepper flakes or 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
OMGOSH!!! This is the BEST pork loin recipe!!! I added a couple of tbsps of apple cider vinegar to my apple juice since I didn’t have any apple cider. Hubby says I outdid myself. 😀 So very tender and not a bit of dryness. Phenomenal flavor.
That’s great to hear, Denise! I am glad it was enjoyed and you were the star! Nice tip on the apple cider vinegar too for those of us who maybe in the same boat.