Make a cast iron pork tenderloin with an apple cider brine. This simple cider brined pork loin recipe makes a tender pork tenderloin.

Cooking a lean pork tenderloin can be tricky, it can dry out so fast and loss so much of the taste but a brined pork tenderloin is the answer, folks. Brine that pork tenderloin and then pop it in the oven for a delicious moist tenderloin. A nice cider brined pork loin makes a great dinner idea, it’s easy and fast. When we were growing up I was told that all pork had to be cooked well done. No wonder I wasn’t crazy about pork chops or roasts, they were overcooked. This just dries them out too much and too much flavor is lost. The USDA now recommends cooking pork chops, pork steaks and roasts to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

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This recipe makes a simple but flavorful brine and is enough for a 1 1/2 pound to 2 pound tenderloin. Prepare brine either the night before or early in the morning, let it brine in the fridge. And remove it from tbe refrigerator about 30 minutes prior to cooking for this pork loin brine apple cider recipe.

How to make a cider brined pork loin:

2 cups apple cider
3 tablespoons salt
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 1/2 pound tenderloin

How to Brine Pork:

In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, salt, bay leaves, garlic and peppercorns
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the salt is dissolved
Remove from heat and allow brine to completely cool
Place the tenderloin in a marinade/brine container or a ziplock bag and pour in the cooled brine
Cover and place in fridge overnight

How to cook this brined pork tenderloin in cast iron skillet:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
Remove the pork tenderloin from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Discard brine
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear the pork loin on all sides until lightly brown.
Place skillet with pork loin in oven and roast for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Slice tenderloin and serve

So with a simple brine recipe and not overcooking, this Brined Pork Tenderloin is moist and delicious and makes an easy make-ahead dish.

Tip: This brine/marinate container on Amazon is similar to the one I have used forever, it’s made so it holds the meat off the bottom and the brine or marinade can surround the meat.

Pork Recipes:

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Brined Pork Tenderloin

Make a cast iron pork tenderloin with an apple cider brine. This simple cider brined pork loin recipe makes a tender pork tenderloin.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Brining Time12

Total Time12 35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Brined Pork, Brined tenderloin, cast iron pork tenderloin, cider brined pork loin, Pork Tenderloin

Servings:

Calories: 264kcal

Author: Evelyn Osborn

Ingredients

2 cups apple cider
3 tablespoons salt
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 1/2 lb pork tenderloin

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, salt, bay leaves, garlic and peppercorns
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the salt is dissolved
Remove from heat and allow brine to completely cool
Place the tenderloin in a marinade/brine container or a ziplock bag and pour in the cooled brine
Cover and place in fridge overnight
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
Remove the pork tenderloin from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Discard brine
Heat a large cast iron skillet (oven-safe skillet) over medium-high heat.
Sear the pork loin on all sides until lightly brown.
Place skillet with pork loin in oven and roast for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Slice tenderloin and serve

Nutrition