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    The Life Jolie » Main/Entree » Smothered Pork Tenderloin in Apple Cider Gravy

    Smothered Pork Tenderloin in Apple Cider Gravy

    Published: Jan 11, 2019 · Modified: Aug 31, 2022 by Jessy Freimann · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Smothered Pork Tenderloin in Apple Cider Gravy is the best meaty main dish for dinner. It’s special enough for an intimate dinner party but also makes a quick and cozy weeknight meal!

    Pork tenderloin

    Smothered Pork Tenderloin

    This post contains Affiliate Links. Please see the disclaimer here.

    I love a good stick-to-your-bones, meat-and-potatoes dinner. And this roasted pork tenderloin truly delivers! The pork loin comes out perfectly juicy and delicious. The gravy is so good you'll feel absolutely no shame when you drown your entire plate in it as you simultaneously contemplate filling your tub with it (Who me? Never!).

    I originally started dreaming this recipe up as a quick and tasty weeknight meal. I make a lot of pork tenderloin, particularly on weeknights. It's a cut of meat that's pretty quick and easy to throw together and it always stays so tender!

    Since I has some delicious apple cider hanging out in the fridge, I figured why not throw it into the gravy? And I know that some of you are shaking your heads at the thought of something sweet invading your gravy. But do me a favor and try to keep an open mind. The cider actually helps balance out all of the deliciously savory flavors and adds a nice amount of depth. The saccharine fruitiness that can often overpower some sauces is simply not there.

    pork tenderloin recipes

    Tips for how to cook pork tenderloin smothered in gravy

    • While olive oil is typically my go-to oil for cooking, for this recipe I use canola or vegetable oil because you’ll be searing the tenderloin over high heat and it has a higher smoke point.
    • I left the seasoning amounts to taste, but I always give it a nice sprinkle.
    • The amount of cornstarch I use give you a nice, thick gravy but if you want it a bit thinner, feel free to halve it.
    • If apple cider isn’t available, you can always substitute apple juice.
    • This recipe is designed to be made in a cast iron pan. But if you don’t have one, it’s ok, just be sure to get a nice sear on it and allow a bit more baking time if needed since other types of pans don’t conduct heat as well as cast iron.
    • I cook my pork to 145 degrees and then rest it for 5-10 minutes in a foil tent to redistribute the juices (it will continue cooking a bit more).

    how to cook pork tenderloin

    Frequently asked questions about making pork tenderloin recipes

    • How long do you cook a pork tenderloin in oven? This one goes for about 20 minutes. No all ovens are different so start temping around 15 minutes and when the internal temperature at the thickest part of the tenderloin reaches 145 degrees you can pull it and rest it.
    • What do you serve with this pork tenderloin? I personally love it with mashed potatoes since the gravy is so delicious and a green veggie of some sort.
    • Why sear the pork tenderloin? It locks in the flavor and also reduces the baking time.
    • Can pork be served pink? Yes, it’s ok if it’s a little pink which is why I pull it at 145 degrees.
    • Can I double the recipe for a crowd? While this isn't the ideal dish for feeding a crowd though could always double or triple it by transferring into a large baking pan, just know that it may take longer to cook.

    pork tenderloin oven

    Make it a meal!

    A few great recipes to round out and complete this meal would be:

    • Peas with Onions
    • Easy Garlic Green Beans
    • French Onion Mashed Potatoes
    • Summer Bounty Strawberry Salad
    • Grandma's Best Banana Cake
    • Quick and Easy Chocolate Pudding Cake

    Helpful tools:

    1. Chef's knife
    2. Cutting board
    3. Measuring cups
    4. Measuring spoons
    5. Mixing bowl
    6. Whisk
    7. Cast iron skillet
    This Smothered Pork Tenderloin in Apple Cider Gravy is the best meaty main dish for dinner. It’s special enough for an intimate dinner party but also makes a quick and cozy weeknight meal! This recipe is so easy but tastes fantastic and comes together pretty quickly!

    Smothered Pork Tenderloin in Apple Cider Gravy

    Jessy Freimann
    This Smothered Pork Tenderloin in Apple Cider Gravy is the best meaty main dish for dinner. It’s special enough for an intimate dinner party but also makes a quick and cozy weeknight meal!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Resting time 10 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
    • 1 pork tenderloin (mine was around 1 lb. - 1 ¼ lb.)
    • Kosher salt, to taste
    • Ground black pepper, to taste
    • Dried thyme, to taste
    • 1 14.5 ounce can low sodium chicken broth
    • 2 Tablespoons corn starch (you can cut this to 1 Tbsp. if you want a sightly thinner gravy)
    • 1 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
    • 1 packet dry onion soup seasoning
    • ½ cup apple cider (or apple juice if cider is not available)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium high. 
    • Pat pork tenderloin dry and season with salt, pepper and dried thyme to taste.
    • When the pan is hot, sear the pork on all sides. Keep a close eye on it because cast iron tends to move things along faster than regular pans. You want it to have a nice brown sear without burning it.
    • While the pork sears, in a separate bowl whisk broth into cornstarch until combined. Then whisk in mushroom soup, onion soup seasoning and apple cider to combine. Set aside.
    • Once each side is seared, dump broth mixture over the pork and bake for around 20-25 minutes or until the thickest part of the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
    • Remove the pork from the pan and let it rest under a foil tent for 10 minutes. Slice and serve with gravy immediately.

    Notes

    I use a cast iron pan that I can transfer directly into the oven. You can also use a regular saute pan and then transfer the pork into an over-safe baking dish before pouring the broth mixture over it and baking. If you don't use cast iron, make sure you account for a little extra cooking time as regular pans tend to go a bit slower than cast iron.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you tried this recipe please comment and rate it 🙂 I love hearing your feedback and answering your questions! And if you make it please tag me on Instagram with @thelifejolie so I can share it <3

    Looking for some other great meaty main dishes?

    • Roast Turkey Thighs for Two
    • 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pork Chops
    • Mom's Meatloaf
    • Greek Yogurt Roasted Chicken

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    This Smothered Pork Tenderloin in Apple Cider Gravy is the best meat main dish for a holiday dinner when you have a small group of people to feed and also makes a quick and cozy weeknight meal! This recipe is so easy but tastes fantastic and comes together quickly!
    « Easy Meatloaf and Potatoes Dinner
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    Comments

    1. Kyle says

      November 30, 2016 at 11:07 am

      This dinner looks right up my alley & perfect for the holiday season. I love the addition of apple cider. Pork & apple go so well, I'm sure that's amazing!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 02, 2016 at 10:13 am

        Thank you! Apple cider always has my heart!
        Reply
    2. Platter Talk says

      November 30, 2016 at 11:24 am

      Your right. This is a perfect "small group" dinner party idea. You have made this delicious entree so simple and tasty! Love the cidar and sage additions.
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 02, 2016 at 10:13 am

        Thank you! We live in a small home that cannot accommodate a large amount of people so I'm always trying to think of small group ideas!
        Reply
    3. Tracy | Baking Mischief says

      November 30, 2016 at 11:29 am

      Pork tenderloin is such a great cut of meat. I'm always looking for new ways to prepare it, and I LOVE the looks of this! Apple cider in gravy is such an interesting flavor pairing, it sounds amazing, and I can't wait to try it. Pinning!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 02, 2016 at 10:12 am

        Thank you- I was initially worried that the cider would be too sweet but it definitely isn't! This is now in our regular rotation!
        Reply
    4. Julie says

      November 30, 2016 at 11:47 am

      This looks like a great dish for entertaining n the Fall season with the use of apple cider.
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 02, 2016 at 10:11 am

        Thank you- I love quick entertaining meals!
        Reply
    5. Ashley - Forking Up says

      November 30, 2016 at 11:55 am

      I always buy pork tenderloin on sale, and do the same boring things with it. I need to try this!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 02, 2016 at 10:11 am

        I hope you enjoy it!
        Reply
    6. Justin says

      December 06, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      1/2 what of apple cider
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 06, 2016 at 10:59 pm

        Yikes- thanks for the heads up on that typo. It's 1/2 cup. I just fixed it :)
        Reply
        • Justin says

          December 07, 2016 at 2:19 am

          That's what I thought. Will be making tonight.
          Reply
          • Jessy says

            December 07, 2016 at 5:08 pm

            Enjoy :)
            Reply
    7. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

      December 06, 2017 at 9:50 pm

      My mouth is watering over this smothered pork tenderloin!!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 07, 2017 at 3:23 pm

        It tastes even better than it looks!
        Reply
    8. alyssa | everydaymaven says

      December 07, 2017 at 2:16 am

      Great dinner idea!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 07, 2017 at 3:22 pm

        Thank you!
        Reply
    9. Megan @ MegUnprocessed says

      December 07, 2017 at 8:45 pm

      Great video!!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 10, 2017 at 7:47 pm

        Thank you Megan!
        Reply
    10. Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says

      December 07, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      These photos are beautiful!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 10, 2017 at 7:47 pm

        Thanks Lindsay :)
        Reply
    11. Jennifer says

      December 08, 2017 at 10:15 am

      Will be making this one for sure!! Looks delicious!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 10, 2017 at 7:46 pm

        Enjoy Jennifer! :)
        Reply
    12. Leia says

      December 08, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      This looks like a winner of a dinner for sure!!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 10, 2017 at 7:46 pm

        It's become a go-to for us!
        Reply
    13. Carolyn says

      December 08, 2017 at 6:15 pm

      This sounds divine!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 10, 2017 at 7:45 pm

        Thanks Carolyn!
        Reply
    14. Richa Gupta says

      December 10, 2017 at 12:16 pm

      The recipe looks amazing for a great dinner!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        December 10, 2017 at 7:44 pm

        Thank you Richa!
        Reply

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