Succulent pork tenderloin is marinated in fall flavors then grilled to perfection in this Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apples recipe. It's a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for indoor grill pans!
This post was originally published on October 20, 2017. It was updated with new photos, more helpful content and slight recipe tweaks, and republished on October 28, 2023.
Chilly fall days are here. That means with the cold and the rain, our outdoor grill is now under cover. But that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy the juicy bold flavors that only grilling can bring out!
We love to break out our indoor grill pans when it's too cold or rainy to grill outside, but we still want those smoky charred flavors you can only get from a grill.
And this recipe for grilled pork tenderloin with cider, apples, and sage is made for indoor grilling days!
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
This pork tenderloin recipe is a winner that I hope will become part of your regular dinner rotation, too!
- Easy - The steps are easy to follow.
- Simple - You just need a few simple ingredients that you can pick up at your local grocery store.
- Adaptable - See my substitution suggestions and serving suggestions below.
- So delicious - The tartness and caramelization from the apples and the herbaceous sage add a beautiful balance of flavors to this pork tenderloin dish!
- Your house will smell like fall - The grilled apples filled my kitchen with an AMAZING scent of fall!
🍏 Ingredient notes
Here's what you'll need to make this recipe:
- Hard cider - Use your favorite hard cider, but preferably one that has a pure apple flavor.
- Pork tenderloin - This recipe calls for pork tenderloin and not pork loin -- those are two different cuts of meat. Take the tenderloin out of the refrigerator a few minutes before you start gathering your ingredients. This helps it cook more evenly once it hits the grill.
- Apples - Granny Smith apples are a great option for this recipe. But you can also use Honeycrisp apples, Gala apples, or almost any other apple.
- Garlic - You can use one more or one less garlic clove depending on your preference.
- Olive oil - Use extra virgin olive oil.
- Seasonings - I use kosher salt, ground black pepper, and sage leaves in this recipe.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
A full list of ingredients and detailed instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here's a quick step-by-step of the process with some photos to help you out.
- Start by marinating the pork tenderloin in a mixture of hard cider, olive oil, fresh sage, garlic, salt and pepper.
- While that's marinating, slice the Granny Smith apples and grilled them up just enough to get some nice grill marks on each slice.
- Remove the apples and set aside on a plate.
- Once the pork has marinated for at least an hour, grill the pork tenderloin on the grill pan.
- After the pork has browned on each side (about 6-7 minutes each side), finish cooking the pork by moving the grill pan directly to the oven.
- Roast in the oven for about 10 minutes.
- Toward the end, you can add 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.
Serving ideas
Serve this grilled pork tenderloin with apples dish with some tasty fall side dishes:
- Whipped Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
- Air Fryer Apple Crisp
Wine pairing
Serve this pork tenderloin with a white wine that has complimentary apple notes, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, or an unoaked Chardonnay.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this easy pork tenderloin recipe? Here's what you'll need:
- Ziplock bag - To marinate the pork in the marinating juice.
- Tongs - Kitchen tongs make it easy to flip over apple slices and the pork tenderloin on the grill pan.
- Indoor grill pan - I love my Finex Indoor Grill Pan.
More pork recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Hard Cider, Apples and Sage
Equipment
- 1 grill pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup hard apple cider
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped sage leaves, plus more for serving
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 pork tenderloin between 1.5 and 2 ounces
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled,cored, and sliced into ¼" thick slices
Instructions
- Add hard cider, olive oil, sage, and garlic in a large ziplock bag, and mix. Add the pork tenderloin to the bag. 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. Turn off the stove.
- Preheat oven to 400°F degrees.
- After the pork has marinated for at least 1 hour, remove and grill on the grill pan over medium-high heat for about 6-7 minutes on each side.
- Once each side is nicely browned, use oven mitts to move the grill pan to the oven and roast the tenderloin for about 10 more minutes.
- If desired, crisp up some sage leaves in butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook just until the sage leaves are crisp.
- Remove the grill pan with the tenderloin from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve immediately, garnished with crispy sage leaves if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Thanks to Finex Cookware for partnering with me on this post! All opinions and photos are, as always, my own.
Nicole says
This is yummy. I like to add onions to my apple mixture as well.
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!
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!
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! :)
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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 :)
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 :)
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! :)
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!