Cinnamon Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Apple Salsa
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
28 mins
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Total Time
48 mins
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Servings
6 Servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Cinnamon Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Apple Salsa
Description
This Cinnamon Pork Tenderloin recipe starts by coating pork tenderloin pieces in a mixture of olive oil, finely minced garlic, chili powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. The seasoned pork is browned in a hot nonstick skillet to develop a crust, then transferred to the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a short roast until reaching a safe internal temperature. Resting the meat after cooking allows juices to redistribute for tenderness.
The accompanying apple salsa features diced crunchy sweet apples like Fuji mixed with finely diced red bell pepper and red onion, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, honey to balance acidity, and seasoning of salt and black pepper. The salsa provides a refreshing and slightly sweet contrast with crisp texture to the warm, spiced pork slices.
This dish combines aromatic spices and fresh produce for a balanced meal or main course, with the cinnamon in the pork rub adding warmth and complementing the sweetness and acidity of the salsa. The salsa can also be served as a snack or with tortilla chips.
Notes suggest that for enhanced flavor, marinating the pork overnight in the seasoning mixture is beneficial. Leftover salsa is versatile and enjoyable on its own or as a dip.
Ingredients
For the Pork:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic finely minced, cloves
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 pounds pork tenderloin
For the Apple Salsa:
- 2 cups apple like Fuji, cored and diced (about 2 medium apples, crunchy, sweet
- ½ cup red bell pepper diced
- ⅓ cup lime juice from about 2 limes, fresh
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped, fresh
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch baking dish with foil and coat the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large shallow bowl or pie plate. Add the pork and turn each piece to coat with the cinnamon mixture.
- In a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat another tablespoon or so of olive oil over medium heat until hot and rippling. Add the pork and brown on all sides, 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the browned pork to the prepared baking pan (if your skillet is oven-safe, you can simply pop it into the oven and save having to clean up an extra pan). Bake for 16-18 minutes (more or less) until an instant read thermometer registers 145 degrees in the thickest part of the pork. Cover the pork with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the apple salsa.
- For the apple salsa (this can be prepared while the pork is cooking), combine all the apple salsa ingredients, stirring well to coat the apples with the lime juice and other ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the pork in the seasoning mixture wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight before cooking.
- The fresh apple salsa can be served as a topping for tacos or as a refreshing dip with tortilla chips.
- Use crunchy, sweet apple varieties like Fuji for the salsa to add texture and natural sweetness.
- Rest pork after roasting to retain juices and ensure tender slices.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 300kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 997mg | 42% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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