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30 Minutes or Less / Instant Pot / Main Dishes / Pork

Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin (Instant Pot)

This Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin cooks lightning fast! It’s topped with a sweet, silky, & aromatic sauce that evokes all the Fall feelings. Best yet, this can be on your table in less than 30 minutes!

Ingredients

  • Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin
  • Oil – I used Avocado Oil – Any neutral oil will work just fine
  • Pork Tenderloin – it must be tenderloin – DO NOT use pork loin or the recipe will not turn out
  • Onion – yellow or white will work here
  • Garlic – i use 4 fresh cloves, you can use less if garlic isn’t your thing
  • Apple Cider – Apple Juice can be used in place
  • Balsamic Vinegar – the better the quality, the better the flavor
  • White Wine (optional) – I used Sherry in this recipe
  • Apples – I use Granny Smith, because they are my jam, but really any apple variety is fine
  • Kosher Salt – You can use Sea Salt as well
  • Black Pepper – Fresh ground is always my go to, but not necessary
  • Italian Seasoning – really enhances the flavor of the pork and sauce
  • Apple Cider Sauce: 
  • Brown Sugar – you can use honey if you prefer
  • Butter – Unsalted, but taste the sauce before serving and adjust seasoning as needed
  • Flour or Corn Starch – to help thicken the sauce
  • Apple Cider (or Apple Juice) – for that extra blast of flavor and to help keep the sauce from thickening too much

How to make Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin

  1. Turn Instant Pot (IP) to sauté 
  2. Add oil and allow to heat for a few seconds
  3. Season all sides of tenderloin with kosher salt and black pepper
  4. Sear tenderloin for 3-4 minutes per side
  5. Remove tenderloin and set side
  6. Sauté onions until translucent
  7. Add garlic and cook until fragrant
  8. Put Apple Cider, Balsamic Vinegar, chopped Apples, Salt, Pepper and Italian Seasoning into pot
  9. Add tenderloin and juices back to Instant Pot 
  10. Place lid on IP and close, make sure that the vent is in sealed position
  11. Cook on Manual/LOW pressure for 3 minutes (2 minutes for a smaller tenderloin)
  12. Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for about 15 minutes 
  13. Remove tenderloin from IP and set aside. Tent with aluminum foil to remain warm
  14. Using an immersion blender (OR transfer all liquids to a blender jar), blend until smooth
  15. Transfer back to IP and turn sauté mode back on
  16. Add Brown Sugar and butter, stir until melted
  17. Add Flour (or Corn Starch) to cold Apple Cider (or Apple Juice), stir until well combined
  18. Slowly add mixture to Instant Pot and combine. Mixture will thicken. 
  19. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a tablespoon at a time of liquid until your desired consistency is reached
  20. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add an additional tablespoon of flour (or cornstarch) to a tablespoon of COLD liquid and add to sauce and allow to cook
  21. Once to your desired consistency, turn off IP and allow sauce to cool for a few minutes
  22. Spoon sauce over sliced Tenderloin and serve immediately 

Can this Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin be made in the oven?

Yes, it can. One of the beauties of this recipe is that is versatile. If you do not have an Instant Pot, break out your dutch oven or heavy bottomed oven proof skillet.

Season and Sear Pork:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C)
  • Season Pork Tenderloin on all sides
  • Heat dutch oven over medium-high heat
  • Add oil to pot and allow to heat up
  • Place tenderloin in pot and allow to sear for approximately 10 minutes total – making sure to rotate every few minutes
  • Remove from pot and set aside

Prepare Apple Cider Cooking Sauce:

  • Turn heat down to medium and add onions to pot
  • Cook until almost translucent, add garlic and cook until fragrant (about a minute)
  • Add 1 cup of Apple Cider to the pot you will need up to 2 cups – check the tenderloin midway through roasting and if a lot of liquid has evaporated, add another between 1/2 cup or 1 full to the pot depending on evaporation level
  • Add the Balsamic Vinegar, White Wine (if using), Salt, Pepper, and Italian Seasoning and stir to combine
  • Allow liquids to cook for a few minutes before adding Pork Tenderloin back to the pot
  • After liquids have cooked and heated through, add pork tenderloin and accumulated juices back to pot

Roasting the Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin:

  • Place in oven uncovered and cook for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through (145°F/62°C)
  • Remove tenderloin from pot and side aside tented with aluminum foil while you prepare the sauce

Create the Apple Cider Finishing Sauce:

  • Using an immersion blender or standard blender, blend sauce until smooth
  • Place sauce back in the pot and heat until gently simmering
  • Add butter and brown sugar to pot and allow to melt thoroughly
  • Mix one tablespoon flour or cornstarch to 1/4 cup COLD apple cider and combine
  • Slowly add mixture to pan sauce and stir until sauce begins to thicken
  • If you want a thicker sauce, mix another tablespoon of flour or cornstarch to a tablespoon COLD apple cider or water
  • Add to the pan sauce and allow to thicken
  • Spoon sauce over sliced Pork Tenderloin and serve immediately

What to serve with this recipe?

As you can see in the photos, we chose to have some delicious mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli along with our Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin.

You may also want to consider a Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad or some Crispy Brussels. As well as some roasted garlic cauliflower, or even a vegetable medley. This is also delicious served over some rice with some of the decadent Apple Cider Sauce.

Interested in more easy Instant Pot Recipes?

Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin served with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes

Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin (Instant Pot)

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin cooks lightning fast! It's topped with a sweet, silky, & aromatic sauce that evokes all the Fall feelings. This cozy comforting dish can be in your table in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

  • Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin
  • 1 tablespoon Oil (I used Avocado Oil)
  • 2.5 pounds Pork Tenderloin (please see recipe note below)
  • 1 medium Onion sliced
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup Apple Cider (Apple Juice can be used in place)
  • 3 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar 
  • 2 tablespoons Dry White Wine (I used Sherry) (optional)
  • 2 Apples, peeled and rough chopped (I use Granny Smith
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (depending on taste/use more of less to season sauce)
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (depending on taste/use more of less to season sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • Apple Cider Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons Flour or Corn Starch (see instructions about desired sauce consistency)
  • 1/4 cup Apple Cider (or Apple Juice)

Instructions

  1. Turn Instant Pot (IP) to sauté 
  2. Add oil and allow to heat for a few seconds
  3. Season all sides of Pork Tenderloin with kosher salt and black pepper
  4. Place tenderloin into hot Instant Pot and sear for 3-4 minutes per side
  5. Once done, remove tenderloin and set side (use plate that will catch all juices while resting)
  6. Add onions to IP and sauté for a few minutes until translucent
  7. Add garlic, stir and cook until fragrant (about a minute)
  8. Add Apple Cider, Balsamic Vinegar, White Wine (if using), chopped Apples, Salt, Pepper and Italian Seasoning; Stir to combine. 
  9. Add tenderloin and accumulated juices back to Instant Pot 
  10. Place lid on IP and close. 
  11. Make sure that the vent is sealed
  12. Cook on Manual/LOW pressure for 3 minutes (2 for a smaller tenderloin)
  13. Once cooking is done, allow to Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for about 15 minutes 
  14. Remove tenderloin from IP and set aside. Tent with aluminum foil to remain warm
  15. Using an immersion blender OR transfer all liquids to a blender jar and blend until smooth
  16. Transfer back to IP and turn sauté mode back on
  17. Add Brown Sugar and butter to Instant Pot stir until melted
  18. Add Flour (or Corn Starch) to cold Apple Cider (or Apple Juice), stir until combined
  19. Slowly add mixture to Instant Pot and combine. Mixture will thicken. 
  20. Taste the sauce and adjust your seasoning as desired.
  21. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a tablespoon at a time of liquid until your desired consistency is reached
  22. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add an additional tablespoon of flour (or cornstarch) to a tablespoon of COLD liquid and add to sauce and allow to cook
  23. Once to your desired consistency, turn off IP and allow sauce to cool for a few minutes
  24. Spoon sauce over sliced Tenderloin and serve immediately 

Notes

You MUST make this recipe with Pork Tenderloin, not Pork Loin.

Also, it is OK to cook a smaller tenderloin if that is what you have on hand. Just reduce coking time by a minute and you should be good.

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Please see blog post for instructions on how to make this in the oven!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 419Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 371mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 19gProtein: 41g

The nutritional values above are auto calculated by a nutrition program and can vary based on brands of ingredients used.

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23 Comments

  • Jennifer
    October 26, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    Hubby always wants pork and I’m usually clueless on how to make it. This recipe came at the perfect time. I know it’ll be a hit.

    Reply
  • Noelle Simpson
    October 26, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    Yum! This was the perfect fall recipe, can’t wait to make again!

    Reply
  • Chris Collins
    October 26, 2020 at 4:21 pm

    Apple and pork is a match made in heaven! I’ll definitely be giving this recipe a go, thanks so much for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  • Dolly
    October 26, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    I can just SMELL this delicious combination! I need need need recipes for pork tenderloin, and this one is the Instant Pot too. Gotta love that!

    Reply
  • Emily Liao
    October 26, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    Wow, this apple cider sauce really took this one step further. Loved it!

    Reply
  • Beth
    October 26, 2020 at 4:59 pm

    This looks so delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to make this later this week! So excited!

    Reply
  • Jacque Hastert
    October 26, 2020 at 9:54 pm

    This is one flavorful dinner that I can’t wait to make later this week. I have all the ingredients and will be making it in just a few days. Thank you for sharing this delicious dinner recipe with us.

    Reply
    • Kerri
      October 26, 2020 at 10:49 pm

      i hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  • katerina @ diethood.com
    October 27, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    This looks like the perfect meal!! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  • Sara Welch
    October 27, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    Another great recipe for my Instant Pot! Adding this to my dinner line up for the week; looks too good to pass up!

    Reply
  • Cathy
    October 27, 2020 at 5:02 pm

    Such a great flavor combo!

    Reply
  • Catalina
    October 27, 2020 at 5:04 pm

    I am always looking for new recipes for my Instant Pot! Love this flavor!

    Reply
  • Denise
    October 29, 2020 at 9:54 am

    The flavors in the Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin sound delicious. I love that you made it in the Instant Pot as well, I can’t wait to try your recipe!

    Reply
  • Chef+Dennis
    October 29, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    This is such a delicious pork recipe and works really well in the instapot!

    Reply
  • Veronika
    October 30, 2020 at 11:31 am

    Oh, my mouth is watering just looking at these photos! I love the idea of making tenderloin in Instant Pot, need to try at as well!

    Reply
  • Aleta
    October 30, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    I am always looking for new recipes to make with pork tenderloin. It’s an affordable meat and my family and I love it! I also love that it’s made in the Instant Pot- my favourite kitchen tool!

    Reply
  • Paula Montenegro
    October 30, 2020 at 3:55 pm

    Apples and pork, what a wonderful combination! Happy to add this wonderful recipe to my collection. I love the look of that sauce, so luscious! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Amanda
    October 31, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    This was such a perfect fall tenderloin! The sauce was super delicious, and I love how quick it was to prepare. I’m already looking forward to making it again!

    Reply
  • Heather
    November 1, 2020 at 8:25 am

    I have some apple cider leftover from apple picking so I can’t wait to turn it into this sauce and enjoy this pork dinner tonight!!

    Reply
  • Jacqueline Debono
    November 1, 2020 at 12:44 pm

    I love the combination of pork and apples but have never cooked with apple cider. This pork tenderloin looks so good. I don’t have an instant pot but my Dutch oven is my best cooking friend. Going to give this recipe a try at the weekend!

    Reply
  • Leslie
    November 1, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    This is what Pork Tenderloin dreams are made of! This is the best recipe! So tender and so delicious!

    Reply
  • Chandice Probst
    November 1, 2020 at 6:26 pm

    I love using apple anything with pork! Love that this recipe is easy with the Instant pot too, yay!

    Reply
  • Haley Williams
    November 24, 2020 at 9:19 am

    This is so good! Flavorful, tender and juicy. Can’t wait to make this!

    Reply

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