A delicious slow cooker recipe for pork tenderloin with apples. The pork roast is combined with apples and onions and cooked in apple cider for an easy meal that goes together in 10 minutes and tastes amazing – a perfect meal for a busy weeknight.
Slow cookers are perfect for busy nights, because the recipes go together quickly and are ready to eat when you are. This pork tenderloin with apples recipe takes just 10 minutes to get ready and then you can sit back and do other things while it cooks. Simple meals that look elegant and taste amazing are always great to find! This is also an excellent meal to serve to company, because you can spend most of your time visiting instead of slaving over a hot stove.
This recipe is based on one of my mother’s favorite crock pot recipes. When I was growing up she made a pork roast in the crock pot that consisted chopping up a lot of onions, adding a pork roast and pouring beer over the top. I changed her recipe up by adding apples and using apple cider instead of beer. I love to cook pork with apples, because I think the flavors just blend together so perfectly.
Preparing the Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloins are not huge cuts of meat and are usually sold in packs of two. This recipe uses both pork tenderloins, which means it will serve 6-8. Buy pork tenderloin that is not pre-marinated, since you are going to add plenty of flavorful herbs and spices. Pork tenderloin has a tough membrane on the outside which is called the silver skin. It is nice to remove this before cooking because it doesn’t break down during cooking. A sharp knife or kitchen scissors take this membrane off easily. That is the only preparation needed for the meat. Unlike many other dishes there is no need to sear the pork before putting it in the slow cooker.
What is the Difference between Pork Tenderloin and Pork Loin?
Pork loin comes from a different part of the pig and it is much thicker than a pork tenderloin. Although I made this with pork tenderloin a pork loin will also work well. Pork loin also has a bit more fat than tenderloin and it will take a little longer to cook because it is thicker. But the combination of apples and onions goes well with either type of pork roast. As long as you increase the cooking time for pork loin the recipe will work well with either cut of meat.
How to Make Pork Tenderloin with Apples
The first step is to cut up the onions and apples. The idea of the recipe is to cover the bottom of the crock pot with a layer of apples and onions so that the meat rests on top. I used a sweet Vidalia onion and two peeled Cortland apples, which was enough to cover the bottom of the pot.
Then I seasoned the pork with thyme, rosemary and garlic and pour a mixture of apple cider and apple cider vinegar over the top. I did not use hard cider, but you certainly could. If you use hard cider you could skip adding the apple cider vinegar, since the alcohol in the hard cider would have the same effect of increasing the acidity of the dish.
That is all there is to it – it takes longer to describe than to make. Once the time is up you should check the temperature of the pork tenderloin with a meat thermometer and make sure it has reached at least 145° F. The apples and onions will cook down into a sweet sauce and infuse the pork with flavor. If you want to have a sauce with the pork roast you can combine the cooked apples and onions with some cornstarch and thicken it for a sweet gravy.
What kind of Apples do you Cook with Pork?
It would be tough to make a bad choice about the type of apple to use when making pork tenderloin with apples. I used Cortland apples, which are a relatively soft apple which will break down easily in the slow cooker. I also like Granny Smith, Empire and Honey Crisp apples with pork. But really any apple you enjoy eating will probably taste good with this recipe. It is cooked long enough that the difference between the apples will not be noticeable.
I added some more apples to garnish the dish before I served it, and the pork was moist and flavorful. The apples and cider added just a little bit of sweetness to the pork. My family loved this pork tenderloin with apples, and I am sure I will be making it again soon, because it is so easy to make. If you try the recipe be sure to let me know what your family thought!
Pork Tenderloin with Apples
Ingredients
Pork Tenderloin with Apples
- 2 apples
- 1 onion
- 2 pork tenderloin
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- Apple slices
- Fresh rosemary
Sauce for Pork Tenderloin
- 2 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
Pork Tenderloin with apples instructions
- Slice the onion and apples, and put in the bottom of a slow cooker.2 apples, 1 onion
- Place the pork tenderloin on top of the apples and onions.2 pork tenderloin
- Sprinkle the tenderloin with salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary.salt & pepper to taste, 1 teaspoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme
- Mince two cloves of garlic and sprinkle on top.2 cloves garlic
- Pour the apple cider vinegar and the apple cider over the whole thing, and cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1 1/2 – 2 hours.1/8 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup apple cider
- Garnish with apple slices and rosemary.Apple slices, Fresh rosemary
Sauce for Pork Tenderloin
- Ladle the sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker into a sauce pan.
- Combine the water and cornstarch and slowly stir into the sauce pan. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.2 tablespoon water, 2 tablespoon cornstarch
Notes
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
Recipe Tips
- If you are using pork loin increase the cooking time to 6 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Make sure you check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer before serving and verify it has reached at least 145° F in the center.
- Be careful not to overcook the pork tenderloin. It really only needs 4 hours to cook and if you leave it in the slow cooker all day it will be dry and over done. This is not a recipe to start before you go to work in the morning, it is a recipe to start when the kids get home from school and have a busy afternoon of activities.
Just saw you at the Friday Favorites at Simply Sweet Home party and love your recipe for the tenderloin. I read your About Me and saw you live in Syracuse. I was born and raised there. Live in NC now (16 years). I still have family that lives in Syracuse. Love when I meet another New Yorker here on the blogs.
I love this idea! Pork tenderloin is always such a tasty meal, and making it in the slow cooker is even better 🙂 Thank you for sharing with Friday Favorites, we love having you 😀
This looks absolutely delish Anne!
Thx for sharing at the Say G’day Party! Pinned all 🙂
I am always looking for slow-cooker recipes and this one looks amazing. I cannot wait to try this.
love slow cooker recipes! They are always a huge hit plus they are easy. This looks deelish!!
Never thought of using apple slices as a garnish with slow cooked tenderloin, but it actually tasted good together.