Smoky Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Warm Red Cabbage + Apple Sauté
Smoky-sweet, juicy pork tenderloin with caramelized edges, plus a quick sauté of cabbage and apples that hits that perfect savory-tart balance. Cozy enough for a cool night, still bright enough for early spring.
Back to full listIngredients
- Kroger® Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin (1 lb) 1 lb $2.49 (sale)
- Red Cabbage 1 lb (about 1/2 head), thinly sliced $0.99/lb
- Large Gala Apple - Each 1 large apple, sliced $1.19/lb
- Jumbo Yellow Onions 1 small onion, thinly sliced $0.89/lb
- Fresh Limes 1 lime, juiced (optional but great for brightness at the end) $0.89 each
Instructions
- Prep (oven): Heat oven to 425°F. Pat dry 1 lb pork tenderloin. Season all over with 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika (pantry).
- Sear (stove): Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high with 1 tbsp oil (pantry). Sear pork tenderloin 2–3 minutes per side until browned all over.
- Roast (oven): Transfer skillet to the oven and roast 12–18 minutes, until the thickest part reaches 145°F. Move pork to a cutting board and rest 5–10 minutes.
- Cook the cabbage-apple sauté (stove): While pork roasts/rests, heat a second skillet over medium with 1 tbsp oil (pantry). Add 1 small thinly sliced onion and cook 3 minutes. Add 1 lb thinly sliced red cabbage plus 1/2 tsp salt; cook 6–8 minutes, tossing, until wilted and glossy. Add 1 sliced large Gala apple and cook 3–4 minutes more until just softened but not mushy.
- Finish: Squeeze in juice of 1 lime (optional) and add a pinch of black pepper. Taste and adjust salt.
- Serve: Slice rested pork into medallions and serve over (or alongside) the warm cabbage-and-apple sauté.
Cook time: 55 minutes
Estimated cost: $10–14
Health notes: Estimated per serving: ~600–750 kcal (depends on oil). High-protein and loaded with fiber from cabbage + apples. Tip: keep added sugar out of the glaze (let the apple do the sweetening) and use a nonstick pan to reduce oil.
Drink pairing: Wine: Pork + sweet/tangy apple-cabbage loves medium-bodied, fruit-driven reds with good acid. Pinot Noir (Oregon or Burgundy) is classic. A Beaujolais (Gamay) is even better—bright, juicy, and chillable. Prefer white? A dry or off-dry Riesling works beautifully with the apple notes and keeps the dish lively.