Last updated on March 3rd, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Caramelized Pork Loin stuffed with caramelized apples, the pork loin is then seared to get a nice and crispy exterior and then roasted to perfection. Perfect for a delicious weekend dinner.
And take 2! I had this recipe post all typed up and almost ready to go when I accidentally closed the tab in my browser before hitting save. It’s one of those days. But anyway I’m really happy to share this caramelized pork loin recipe with you because it is one of my favorite recipes and my favorite way of making pork loin. It’s yummy and delicious pork!
The pork loin is stuffed with apples that were caramelized in butter and brown sugar, the pork loin is then seared to get a nice and crispy exterior then an orange juice and brown sugar is poured over it which helps caramelize the pork even further and then roasted to perfection. It’s a simple way to make delicious, juicy on the inside, super crispy on the outside caramelized pork loin.
My family loves pork and we eat a lot of pork tenderloin or pork loin. This here is all about the pork. This pork loin is sure to impress your guests, family or just your significant other. I served it with a side of homemade mashed potatoes and it was one delicious dinner, even the dog walked away fully satisfied.
Start by melting your butter together with the brown sugar and cinnamon in a skillet over medium heat.
Add sliced apples and just stir so that the apples are nicely coated in the brown sugar mixture. Now you may think we’re making apple pie here, but we’re not, remember it’s all about pork.
Once the apples are nicely coated leave them alone for about 3 minutes so that they get nicely caramelized on the bottom, don’t be tempted to keep stirring. Then let them caramelize for another 3 minutes on the other side. Just about now I was really tempted to take some of these apples and pour them over a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream. Luckily I didn’t have any ice cream besides dilly bars.
I drained my apples from the excess brown sugar/butter mixture but if you want you can use that butter and pour it at the bottom of your roasting dish. Take your pork loin and butterfly it. Basically what this means is just take a knife and cut down the center of it but not all the way through then open it up so that it looks like a butterfly. Take a meat mallet and beat the heck out of it, although I forgot, but if you don’t forget like me then please do it. Now take those yummylicious apples and spread them over the pork, just like that…nicely…yummy!
Now bring the two sides of the loin together or roll it up, which ever is easier for you. I used toothpicks to hold the roll together so that I could tie it with butcher twine.
Tie it with a piece of butcher twine every inch or so then season it generously with salt and pepper. You can remove the toothpicks.
Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a skillet and then add your nice piece of pork loin and sear it nicely all around. Can you hear the sizzle?
This is the color we’re looking for so make sure you sear it nicely, don’t be afraid, the darker the better it will be. Trust me. Doesn’t it look good and it’s not even roasted yet? Yummo!
Now take that nice piece of meat and place it in your roasting dish and pour that orange juice and brown sugar mixture all over it.
Roast it uncovered for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, halfway through I took a turkey baster and basted over the top. This is what your piece of pork will look like. See the nice color? It’s it beautiful?
I had to slice it up for you guys to show you that not only is the outside beautiful but the inside is gorgeous as well. This here is one impressive piece of pork! Go Porky!
If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!
Caramelized Pork Loin
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp butter unsalted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon ground
- 2 apples peeled, cored and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
- 4 lb pork loin
- 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp pepper or to taste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter and add the 1/4 cup brown sugar, diced apples and cinnamon. Toss the apples around and make sure they are fully coated by butter and sugar and saute for about 3 minutes. Do not stir during the first 3 minutes, so that the apples caramelize on one side. After 3 minutes toss the apples again and let them caramelize for another 3 minutes on the other side. Let cool.
- Butterfly the pork loin, basically cut the pork down the center, without completely cutting through, so when you open the two halves they resemble a butterfly. Use your meat mallet to flatten it a bit.
- Take the cooled apples and spread them down the center of the pork loin and bring the 2 sides up around filling the meat. Use butcher twine to tie around the roll tightly at 1 inch intervals.
- Season the stuffed pork with salt and pepper. In a large skillet heat the oil. Sear the pork loin on all sides.
- Transfer the pork loin to a large oven proof pot. Mix the orange juice with the brown sugar and pour over the pork loin.
- Roast uncovered for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until done to your preference. Usually you would roast for about 20 minutes per pound, so if your pork is smaller or bigger, adjust as necessary.
- Remove from the oven and wrap it with foil and let it sit for 15 minutes before slicing so all the juices don't fall out of the pork.
- Slice it and serve with mashed potatoes.
Notes
Nutrition
I prepared this last night. Yum! It was delicious and the whole family loved it! I usually change a recipe but I followed your directions exactly.
It doesn’t say how much brown sugar to add to the orange juice!?
Hey Tammy. The brown sugar shows 1/2 cup and 1 tbsp – this means the 1 tbsp is to be added to orange juice as it is the second portion noted. Hope this helps
This is a great dish. Love it! How o you get the apple stuffing to stay in the slices? I want to serve to guest, but want it to look perfect.
You don’t have to do much, they’ll stay in. You might want to use a spatula or something to transfer the slice to a plate when serving.
I made it yesterday, was perfect taste but when I sliced it filling fell out. Any suggestions?
How many does a 3-5 lb pork loin serve?
I would say about 8 oz per person.
This turned out great!! Family loved it! I will be searching and trying more of your recipes! Thanks for responding so quickly yesterday to my questions.
Hi…making this tonight for dinner! 3 questions: ingredients say 1/4 cup brown sugar but directions say 1/2 cup, which one is correct?
What type of apples do you use, I bought gala?
How flat are you pounding the pork?
Thanks!
Lori
Hi Lori,
It’s 1/4 cup, I fixed the instructions. I only pounded the pork a bit, it was about 1 inch in thickness, but really it’s up to you. I used gala apples too, so there you go. 🙂
Ugh, hitting close on your browser before you publish? THE. WORST. I’ve done it a few times myself. That pan of brown butter simmering has me dying to try this recipe out. Looks great!
I hope you try it, it’s great!
That looks so good! I will have to try this next time I have a pork loin. I am going to have to modify the recipe slightly (allergic to dairy so I can’t use butter and I don’t use sugar in any recipes either), but I bet it will still taste good.