Black Pepper Free Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin can feel like a weeknight luxury, and this version leans fully into that with a warmly spiced crust and a glossy apple cider pan sauce that tastes like it took far more effort than it did. The rub combines turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon — fragrant and golden without a single crack of black pepper in sight, making it a genuinely safe and flavorful option for anyone who needs to avoid it. Searing the tenderloin in coconut oil builds a beautiful crust before the oven finishes the job, locking in juiciness while you prep the sauce. That sauce is where things get really special: unfiltered apple cider, bone broth, garlic, and fresh thyme reduce down into something glossy and lightly syrupy, finished with a splash of apple cider vinegar and a drizzle of honey for balance. Every component is straightforward and purposeful — no filler ingredients, nothing hidden that could sneak in unwanted spice. Sliced into medallions and spooned with that pan sauce, this is the kind of dish that looks impressive on a platter but comes together in a single skillet.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 ¼ lb), silver skin removed
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ceylon cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
For the sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh apple cider (unfiltered, no added sugar)
- ½ cup bone broth (homemade or aip-compliant brand)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Pat the pork tenderloin completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon, then rub the mixture evenly over all sides of the tenderloin.
- 2
Heat the coconut oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the tenderloin and sear, turning every 2 minutes, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes total.
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