This Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze is such a flavorful yet simple dish that you’ll find yourself craving it again and again. The pork turns out incredibly tender and juicy, perfectly balanced by the delightful sweetness and tanginess of the apricot ginger sauce. It’s an excellent choice for a delicious and easy weeknight meal, whether you choose to serve it over a quick savory cabbage or alongside cauliflower rice or your favorite grain.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
You'll adore this pork tenderloin recipe for its flavorful, succulent pork coated in the irresistible blend of sweet apricot and zesty ginger. This is one of those main dishes that is versatile enough to pair with various sides that it promises a satisfying and memorable dinner that's both effortlessly prepared and absolutely delightful.
Ingredients You Will Need
Pork Loin: Pork loin's lean yet versatile nature and mild flavor make it a great choice for absorbing flavors and accommodating various cooking styles.
Apricot Jam: Using unsweetened apricot jam provides a fruit-forward flavor without excessive sweetness compared to apricot preserves, as jams contain crushed fruit while preserves have larger fruit pieces or chunks, offering a smoother consistency in recipes.
Ginger Root: Ginger imparts a zesty, warm flavor that elevates the overall taste with a hint of spiciness and a deep aroma.
Garlic: Fresh is best for obtaining a little stronger touch of garlic flavor than the sweeter touch you would obtain from powder
Dried Thyme: The dried thyme in the apricot glaze for the pork adds an earthy touch that pairs wonderfully with the sweet-tangy flavors, elevating the dish’s taste.
Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances and balances flavors, while ground black pepper adds a gentle heat, improving the overall flavor of a dish.
Coconut Aminos: A gluten free and soy-free alternative to traditional soy sauce, coconut aminos bring a rich umami flavor and a subtle saltiness and sweetness to a dish.
Lime: The juice brings a bright, citrusy zest that balances the sweetness and adds a refreshing tang to the dish.
Instructions
Get your oven ready: Preheat oven to 350°F.
Prepare the pork loin: Pat it dry with paper towels then place the pork in an oven-safe baking dish.
Make the sauce: Add the remaining recipe ingredients to a blender, blending until smooth.
Glaze the pork: Pour half of the blender sauce over the pork loin, brushing it all over to ensure the pork is fully coated.
Begin to bake it: Bake the pork for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven and pour the remaining sauce over the pork.
Finish it off: Return the pork to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes longer, or until the pork reaches 145˚F at its thickest part. The pork will be slightly pink when served.
Broil: Turn the oven to the broil setting, broiling it for a few minutes if you want the sauce to brown and crisp a bit. This step is optional!
Let it rest: Once the pork loin comes out of the oven, cover it with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Optimal Cooking Temp: Ensure the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees at its thickest part to guarantee both food safety and a perfectly cooked, juicy pork loin.
Resting for Juiciness: After baking, cover the cooked pork loin with foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy pork loin when served.
Recipe Variations
Create a tangy twist: You can experiment by substituting apricot jam with a mix of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a dash of sriracha for a sweet and slightly spicy glaze. Brush the pork loin with this glaze before baking, allowing the flavors to infuse into the pork.
Try it grilled: Cook the pork loin over medium heat on the grill, turning occasionally for even cooking. It should take about 10-15 minutes, and when the thickest part reaches 145°F, it's perfectly done. Start by grilling the pork seasoned with salt and pepper, and only apply the glaze toward the end of cooking to avoid any risk of burning.
Storage Tips
The apricot pork tenderloin can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days when placed in a sealed airtight glass container, and it's freezer-safe for up to 6 months.
FAQs About Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze
What is apricot glaze made of?
The glaze in this apricot glazed pork consists of unsweetened apricot jam, minced ginger root, garlic, thyme, salt, black pepper, coconut aminos, and lime juice blended until smooth.
Is it better to cook pork tenderloin covered or uncovered?
When making a glazed pork tenderloin, it's typically better to cook it uncovered. This allows for better browning and caramelization of the outer surface, enhancing flavor and texture.
What cooking method is best for pork tenderloin?
For pork tenderloin, methods like roasting or baking in the oven at a moderate temperature (around 350°F) are often considered best. It ensures even cooking and allows for the pork to reach the desired internal temperature while preserving its tenderness and juiciness.
Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 lb Pork Loin I like Rastelli Delivered
- 8 oz Apricot Jam unsweetened
- 2 teaspoon Ginger Root minced
- 2 cloves Garlic peeled
- ½ teaspoon Thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Coconut Aminos
- 1 Lime juiced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Pat pork loin dry with paper towels and place in oven safe baking dish
- Add remaining ingredients to blender and blend till smooth
- Pour half of the sauce over pork loin and brush to coat
- Bake 10 minutes
- Remove and pour remaining sauce over pork
- Return to oven and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until pork reaches 145˚ at thickest part, it will be slightly pink when served
- Turn oven to broil and broil a few minutes if you want the sauce to brown and crisp a bit (optional)
- Let rest covered with foil for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Enjoy!
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