This Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pan, perfect for a quick and easy family dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients based on what’s in your fridge, or even better, use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of those odds and ends!
Ingredients Breakdown
- 1.5 pounds Pork Tenderloin
- 1 cup Apple Cider
- 1 Medium Onion, Sliced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Thyme (Fresh or Dried)
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch (Optional)
- 2 Large Sweet Potatoes, Peeled and Cubed
- 2 Tablespoons Butter (for Mashed Sweet Potatoes)
- ¼ Cup Heavy Cream or Milk
- Salt to Taste (for Sweet Potatoes)
- ¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon (Optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Make Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Marinate the Pork (15-30 mins)
- In a bowl, combine the pork medallions with ½ cup apple cider, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together, making sure the pork is coated well. Let it marinate for at least 15-30 minutes; this makes it so much more flavorful!
Prepare the Sweet Potatoes (15-20 mins)
- While your pork is soaking up those flavors, boil a large pot of salted water and add the cubed sweet potatoes. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until they’re tender when poked with a fork. Drain them and set aside to cool, you’ll be mashing them up soon.
Sear the Pork (8-10 mins)
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Sear the pork for about 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Set the pork aside; it should smell absolutely divine by now!
Sauté the Onions (3-4 mins)
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant. This is where the magic happens, folks, it’s all about building flavor!
Make the Sauce (10-15 mins)
- Add the reserved marinade and the remaining ½ cup apple cider to the skillet. Bring it all to a simmer (that bubbling tingle!), then return the pork to the skillet. Cover it and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork hits 145°F. If you fancy a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a bit of water and stir it in, cooking until thickened. Scrape the yummy bits off the bottom for extra flavor!
Mash the Sweet Potatoes (5 mins)
- While the pork is finishing up, add butter, heavy cream, and optional cinnamon to the drained sweet potatoes. Mash everything together until smooth and creamy, it’s going to smell amazing. Taste-test it for seasoning and adjust with salt if needed.
Serve It Up!
- Plate the delicious mashed sweet potatoes and top with the pork medallions. Drizzle that luscious sauce over the top and garnish with fresh thyme if you’re feeling fancy. You might want to take a moment to appreciate how beautiful it is, then dig in!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something that guarantees warm, cozy vibes at dinner. Seriously, it’s comfort food at its finest! I’m a real sucker for anything that’s quick and easy, and this dish ticks all the boxes. Plus, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand. It’s one of those recipes that makes you feel like a chef, even if you’re just in your PJs!
If you loved this Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes, be sure to check out my Crispy Coated Pork Tenderloin, my Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, or my Filipino Sweet Cured Pork!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes! The marinating time can be adjusted, but it’s quick to whip up, perfect for busy weeknights!
One Pan Wonder
Everything is cooked in one skillet, meaning less cleanup! Who doesn’t love that? Just toss everything in, and before you know it, voilà! Dinner is served.
Comfort Food Heaven
Made with ingredients hugging your soul (hello, sweet potatoes!), this recipe is the ultimate in cozy eats. You can almost feel the warmth from the apple cider blending with the savory pork.
Crowd-Pleaser
The whole family will love it! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten leftovers, it’s that good! Even the kids devour it, and it’s a huge win when they ask for seconds!
Customizable
Feel free to use whatever ingredients you have on hand if you need to substitute! Add in some veggies like spinach or kale when sautéing the onions, or swap out the pork for chicken or tofu. The possibilities are endless!
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This Apple Cider Pork
This dish is delightful on its own but goes great with a side salad or some steamed green beans to round out your meal. For an extra touch, serve it with crusty bread to scoop up that delicious sauce!
Storage
Leftovers (if you have any) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. If you find the sauce is a bit thick, drizzle in a touch of water or more cider to loosen it up a bit.
Freezer Friendly?
Yes! You can freeze the pork and sauce together for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. For the mashed sweet potatoes, they’re best enjoyed fresh, but they can also be frozen. Just remember they may lose some of that fluffy texture.
Before you run off to make this amazing dish, just remember, it’s all about making cooking easy, fun, and accessible for everyone! Enjoy every bite of your Quick Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes; it’s going to become your go-to recipe for those busy nights! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, combine the pork medallions with ½ cup apple cider, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat well and marinate for at least 15-30 minutes.
- Boil a large pot of salted water, add cubed sweet potatoes, and cook for about 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove pork from marinade, letting excess drip off, and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add sliced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add reserved marinade and remaining ½ cup apple cider to the skillet, bring to a simmer, and return the pork to the skillet. Cover and cook until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, about 10-15 minutes. If desired, thicken sauce with cornstarch mixed with water.
- Add butter, heavy cream, and optional cinnamon to drained sweet potatoes and mash until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt.
- Plate mashed sweet potatoes, top with pork medallions, drizzle sauce, and garnish with fresh thyme if desired.