Baked Cider-Brined Pork Loin with Sage and Apple

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender pork loin brined in spiced apple cider, baked with fresh sage and sliced apples for a savory-sweet holiday treat. This American-inspired Christmas recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs pork loin roast, apple cider, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large container, combine 4 cups apple cider, 1/4 cup salt, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve.
  2. Step 2: Submerge 2.5 lbs pork loin roast in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove pork from brine, pat dry with paper towels, and season with 1 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
  5. Step 5: Add 15 fresh sage leaves, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 sliced apples around the pork in the skillet. Transfer skillet to the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  6. Step 6: Let pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve pork slices with roasted apples and pan juices.

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