Herb-Roasted Pork with Apple and Sage
Tender pork loin roasted with aromatic herbs, caramelized apples, and earthy sage for a rustic weeknight meal. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 40 minutes pairs pork loin, medium apple, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs pork loin
- 2 medium apple
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh sage
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Trim excess fat from 1.25 lbs pork loin and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Dice 2 medium apples into 1/2-inch cubes. Finely chop 1/4 cup fresh sage and mince 2 garlic cloves.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Place seasoned pork loin on top of apple mixture in the skillet. Spoon some apple mixture over the pork. Transfer skillet to the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes until pork reaches 145°F internally.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes. Slice pork thinly, drizzle with pan juices, and serve with the caramelized apple mixture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Roasted Pork with Apple and Sage take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Herb-Roasted Pork with Apple and Sage?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork loin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Roasted Pork with Apple and Sage?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Herb-Roasted Pork with Apple and Sage for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Herb-Roasted Pork with Apple and Sage?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a game-changer! The pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the apple-sage combo made it feel like a holiday feast. Served with mashed potatoes and it was perfect.
- ★★★★★
Made this for a date night and it wowed my partner. The recipe instructions were foolproof, and the aroma while cooking made my whole house smell divine.
- ★★★★★
A simple but stunning dinner. The slow cooker worked beautifully, and the subtle herb notes balanced the apples perfectly. My kids even asked for seconds!