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Cozy Apple Cider Braised Pork Tenderloin – Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy 30-minute braised pork tenderloin in a sweet-savory apple cider sauce, inspired by a beloved bistro dish. Perfect for cozy nights and guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1–1.5 lbs pork tenderloin
  • 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large shallot, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Prep the Pork: Remove pork from fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear the Pork: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once shimmering, add pork and sear 3-4 minutes per side until deeply golden brown. Remove pork and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add shallot and cook 1 minute, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Deglaze: Pour in apple cider and chicken broth. Scrape up browned bits from pan bottom.
  5. Add Mustard and Thyme: Stir in Dijon mustard and add thyme sprigs. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Braise: Return pork to pan, nestling into liquid. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10-12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
  7. Rest: Remove pork, tent with foil, and let rest 5 minutes.
  8. Finish Sauce: Increase heat to medium-high and simmer sauce uncovered until reduced by half and syrupy. Stir in heavy cream if using. Remove thyme sprigs. Season to taste.
  9. Slice and Serve: Slice pork into 1-inch medallions. Arrange on platter and spoon sauce over top. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, let pork come to room temperature before cooking. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer; if too thick, add a splash of broth. Leftovers keep up to 3 days in the fridge and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider braised pork tenderloin, easy pork dinner, 30-minute meal, fall recipe, comfort food, pork tenderloin recipe

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/cozy-apple-cider-braised-pork-tenderloin-easy-30-minute-dinner/