Succulent pork tenderloin is marinated in fall flavors then grilled to perfection in this recipe for Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Sage.
It was a bone chilling 35 degrees when I left for the gym before dawn the other day. Daylight was just starting to break through the darkness; the trees poked through the layers of fog as if they were stretching out their branches to greet the day.
I love the fall, but why is it so cold already?? I clearly could never live in Boston again, where 35 degrees in the coming months will be considered warm. My skin has been winterized enough to withstand mild Portland weather.
With the cold and the rain, our outdoor grill is now under cover. That doesn't mean we can't still enjoy the juicy bold flavors that only grilling can bring out. Earlier this week, during another rain-soaked, grey afternoon, I got to play with my latest kitchen toy: the Finex 15" Lean Grill Pan.
Isn't she SO pretty??! I love this grill pan so much already and can't wait to use it again for Sunday breakfast!
I decided to whip up some grilled pork tenderloin for this pan's inaugural adventure.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Hard Cider, Apples and Sage
I started by marinating the pork tenderloin in a mixture of hard cider, olive oil, fresh sage, garlic, salt and pepper.
Then I cut up some Granny Smith apples (but you can use any local firm apple for this), and grilled them up just enough to get some nice grill marks on each slice.
The grilled apples filled my kitchen with an AMAZING scent of fall!
After removing the apples, I replaced them with the pork tenderloin on the grill pan.
I love how my new Finex Lean Grill Pan slats are wider than most grill pans -- they're true BBQ width! This made it super easy to clean afterward - not to mention, the domed drainage base channels excess fat away from the food, leaving the meat full of flavor without the fat.
The pork grilled up BEAUTIFULLY!
After the pork has nicely browned on each side, I finished cooking the pork by moving the grill pan directly to the oven.
Toward the end, I added fresh sage and the apples back to the grill while the cooked pork was resting, to allow the flavors to all meld together nicely for a few minutes.
This is an awesome grilled pork tenderloin dish to make on a cold fall or winter night. The hard cider combined with the fresh grilled apples makes this dish SING of fall flavors! And the sage adds an earthy savory touch to each bite.
And the best part: you get the big, juicy flavors of grilling but can do so indoors, with a grill pan!
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Hard Cider, Apples and Sage Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin between 1.5 and 2 ounces
- 1 cup hard cider
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped sage leaves
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- salt pepper
- 1 medium Granny Smith apple or other firm apple, peeled,cored, and sliced into ¼" thick slices
Instructions
- Add hard cider, olive oil, sage, and garlic in a large ziplock bag, and add the pork tenderloin. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, slice the apples.
- Heat a grill pan over your stove over medium heat. Brush 1 Tablespoon olive oil over grill pan.
- Using tongs, add apple slices to grill pan and grill each side until you get nice grill marks (takes just about 1-1 minutes per side). Remove apple slices and set aside on a plate.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.
- After the pork has marinated for at least 1 hour, remove and grill for about 6-7 minutes on each side.
- Once each side is nicely browned, move grill pan to the oven and roast for about 10 more minutes.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve immediately.
Thanks to Finex Cookware for partnering with me on this post! All opinions and photos are, as always, my own.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
I am a pork lover and cooking with cider, wine and beer I even cook the pork with tequila great meat to enhance with so many good flavors. Yoru pork looks perfectly cooked and juicy.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much, Adriana!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
I kind of love everything about this meal. The flavors, the food, the cooking method! I love grill pans that can be used indoors. Who says grilled food is only for summer?
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I agree! Grilled food is great year round! Thanks, Kylee! :)
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Let me start off saying I need that grill pan! Mine has seen better days, and that is exactly what I've been looking for. Now this recipe sounds amazing! I love hard cider, and the flavors with pork and apple, plus sage..yum!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It really is a delicious combo! Thanks, Joanna :)
Nicole - Cookies & CarrotSticks says
Pork, apples and cider, wonderful combo! Looks delicious! Love that griddle pan, needless to say that I want one too ;)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Glad you like this flavor combo, Nicole! I do too! Thanks :)
Calleigh -TheforkBite says
I need this grill pan right now! This is a perfect use for a weekend get together at home.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It's so useful, I love it!
Veena Azmanov says
I love cooking pork with apples too. Apple cider vinegar sounds such a perfect match for this. Wonderful combo...Too bad summer is over so can't grill out side but will have to make these indoors yum.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It’s one of my favorite flavor combinations. Thanks so much!
Carlee says
That pan is gorgeous! And I love the apple and pork combo and anything cooked with cider! This looks like the perfect fall meal!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much, Carlee!
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
Love everything about this recipe, but especially how perfect it is for fall! I think my husband would really like it too. Hope to make this one soon!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
If you do, let me know how you like it. Thanks!
swathi says
These grill pan sounds really nice, it makes perfect grill mark and makes delicious hard cider pork with apples sage. I am happy to find this as I can grill inside home.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It's such a great pan for the chillier seasons!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
That's a nice looking pan and tenderloin. Pork and apple taste great together, it's just a wonderful classic combination.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I agree. Thanks!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I love the grill marks on the apples. They are done so perfectly and I don;t think I will have the patience to get them so perfect. So perfect for the fall season.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much for the nice comment, Sandhya!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I've never tasted hard cider before but I bet it's great with the pork. Apples and pork make a great combination and in the fall they're ideal. Your pan is great to keep those neat grill marks on the food. The one we have isn't quite as long as yours. We need to get a new one.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It is great with pork! Thanks, Marisa!
Carmen says
This sounds delicious! Using hard cider is genius! What a great way to impart flavor and also make sure the pork is nice and tender. I'll have to try it soon!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Do it and let me know how it turns out! :)
Catherine says
Oh this looks beautiful! I'm loving the flavors of this dish...apples and sage with pork sounds like perfection!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much, Catherine!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy! This seems like a perfect lunch recipe, Marlynn!That grill pan seems truly convenient!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
It is! It's been a life saver for the chilly weather! Thanks!
Nicole | BBQ Smoker Bites says
This looks yummy. I like to add onions to my apple mixture as well.