Spice rubbed pork tenderloin with homemade chunky applesauce, just might be one of the easiest things you'll make this week! Plus it’s lean, healthy, clean-eating, high protein and gluten-free, whoosh! That’s a lot of goodness and did I mention roasted pork tenderloin is also budget friendly?
The pork tenderloin gets a rubbed with spices like paprika, cumin, brown sugar, garlic and chili powder. A quick sear in a hot skillet and then cooked in the oven for about 13-15 mins.
A homemade chunky applesauce is a great accompaniment to the super flavorful and juicy pork medallions. Something about the spicy pork and the slightly sweet taste of apples (with a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar) that just really WORKS! It’s like a little party happening in your mouth! for realz!
Besides being easy, roasted pork tenderloin is also really affordable. I purchased the pork tenderloin at my local QFC (Kroger foods – Fry’s, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Smiths etc.) for $6.99/lb.
O.K. I’m getting slightly side tracked but I just have to tell you a bit about this QFC… because I’m still blown away! They built a bar! ya, like a place you go for cocktails! Right in the store! With big screen TV’s! I thought that was a little crazy but there always seems to be people in there. Oh course the free daily wine tasting might have something to do with it! I’ve jokingly said, my whole town probably now enjoys trips to the grocery store a bit more…ha ha! “no, honey I’ll go to the grocery store”
I like it because they have a whole section devoted to healthy foods/healthy brands ..not just a couple of aisles but like 10-12 aisles. And…for me the best part…a kitchen gadget section! Yep, like a full-blown mini version of some of my fav kitchen stores. OK , back on topic now. Affordability of roasted pork tenderloin.
I bought a 1 ¼ lb pork tenderloin, 2 apples, and a bunch of kale which I served steamed with the tenderloin and applesauce (I already had all the spices needed) and my total bill was $12.72 . This recipe will easily make 3 meals, which if you do the math means each meal is roughly $4.25 Very budget friendly! You can easily purchase a larger pork tenderloin or cook two to accommodate the number of people you are serving.
So? Who's roasting up some spiced pork tenderloin tonight? If by chance you do have some leftovers...just going to say, I made some spicy pork applesauce sliders for lunch ...yum, yum!
Spice Roasted Pork Tenderloin + Chunky Applesauce
Ingredients
For the Pork Tenderloin
- 1- 11/2 lb. pork tenderloin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder reduce or omit according to taste
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Parsley for garnish optional
For the Applesauce
- 1 Honeycrisp apple cored and chopped (or Gala, Pink Lady, Fuji)
- 1 Granny Smith apple cored and chopped
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Combine all seasonings (paprika, cumin, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper) together in a small bowl. Rub spices evenly over all sides of the pork tenderloin.
- Heat a small amount of oil (olive or vegetable) in large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each side of the pork (for about 5-6 min. total). Remove skillet from stove and transfer pork to an oven safe dish . Set the skillet and drippings aside. Put pork in oven and cook until pork reaches an internal temperature reaches 145-150F (use a thermometer to test) approx. 12-15 min. Remove from oven and remove pork to plate. Loosely cover the pork with aluminum foil and let sit for 5-10 min.( it will continue to cook during this time)
- While pork is cooking prepare the applesauce. In the skillet you used to sear pork over medium heat add chopped apples and water and cook until apples are tender (about 6 min.)All those spices add a nice flavor to the applesauce. Uncover, add cinnamon and brown sugar (and salt to taste) .Continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until liquid starts to evaporate and mixture becomes slightly syrupy.
- After pork has rested for 5-10 min. Slice pork crosswise into ¾ inch medallions. Serve with chunky applesauce and garnish with parsley if desired. You can serve medallions on top of applesauce, next to applesauce or even topped with applesauce, your call.
Notes
Nutrition
AnnaLena
Made it tonight! The whole family liked it! Great recipe.
London @ Gluten Free with L.B.
This pork tenderloin looks so yummy! I love seeing quick weeknight meals to spice up the mundane. Your site is perfect for that! Thanks for sharing 🙂