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Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Glaze
Lea Bennett

Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Glaze

Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with a glossy apple cider glaze — juicy, golden and holiday-ready in under an hour. A Christmas centerpiece made easy.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the herb crust:
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
For the pork:
  • 2 pork tenderloins about 1 1/4 pounds each, 2 1/2 pounds total, silver skin removed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for searing
For the apple cider glaze:
  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider not apple juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 pinch of salt

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Take the tenderloins out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking so they roast evenly, and pat them completely dry with paper towels — a dry surface is what lets the crust stick and brown.
  2. Make the herb crust: stir the rosemary, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, cinnamon, 2 tablespoons olive oil and the Dijon together into a thick, fragrant paste. Rub it over every side of both tenderloins, pressing it on with your hands so it adheres in an even layer.
  3. Sear for color and flavor: heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Lay the tenderloins in and sear for 2 minutes per side, 8 minutes in total, until the crust is deep golden in spots. Do not skip this — the sear is where the crust gets its flavor.
  4. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast at 425°F (220°C) for 15 to 18 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer pushed into the thickest part reads 145°F (63°C). Tenderloins are lean and cook fast; start checking at 15 minutes, because 5 extra minutes is the difference between juicy and dry.
  5. Move the pork to a cutting board, tent it loosely with foil, and rest it for 10 minutes. The temperature will hold and the juices will settle back into the meat — slicing early sends all of that juice onto the board instead.
  6. While the pork rests, make the glaze in the same skillet: pour in the apple cider, honey and apple cider vinegar, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom. Simmer over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, until it has reduced by about half and coats the back of a spoon in a glossy layer. Take it off the heat and whisk in the butter and the pinch of salt until it shines.
  7. Slice the tenderloins into 1/2-inch medallions — you should see a blush of pale pink in the centers, which is exactly right at 145°F (63°C). Fan the slices out on a warm platter, spoon the warm glaze generously over the top, and serve the rest of the glaze at the table.