Apple Stuffed Pork Loin

4.84 from 12 votes

Apple Stuffed Pork Loin

Stuffed with sweet apples caramelized in butter and brown sugar, then seared to perfection creating a crispy crust that is then covered in an orange juice mixture to bake, this juicy Apple Stuffed Pork Loin is amazing! It’s a simple recipe and perfect for the holidays or a weekend dinner!

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time1 hr 30 mins

Total Time2 hrs

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple stuffed pork loin, pork loin, stuffed pork loin

Servings:

Calories: 493kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

Ingredients

Apple Filling

8 tablespoon butter unsalted
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon ground
2 large apples peeled, cored and diced into ½ inch cubes

Pork Loin

4 pounds pork loin
¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
1 teaspoon pepper or to taste
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Before you begin, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Caramelize the apples: Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet and then add ¼ cup of the brown sugar along with the diced apples and ground cinnamon. Then toss the apples around to fully coat them in the melted butter and brown sugar. Now, cook the apples over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes and allow them to caramelize on one side. Then toss the apples around again and let them cook for another 3 minutes to caramelize on the other side. When done, remove the caramelized diced apples from the heat to cool.
Butterfly the pork loin: Prepare your pork loin to be stuffed by using the butterfly technique. To do this, just slice the pork down the center longways without completely cutting through the meat, so when opened the two halves resemble a butterfly. Now, use a meat mallet and pound the pork to flatten it out a bit, which will make it both easier to stuff and cook more evenly.
Stuff the pork loin: Evenly spread the cooled cooked apples down the center of the butterflied pork loin. Then bring the 2 sides of the meat up around the apple stuffing. Now, tightly tie the apple stuffed pork loin together with kitchen twine in 1-inch intervals.
Sear the stuffed pork: First, generously season the stuffed pork loin with salt and pepper. Then heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high and sear the pork well on all sides.
Make the glaze: Transfer the pork into a large oven-proof pot, like a Dutch oven. Then mix the orange juice together well with the brown sugar and pour it evenly over the stuffed pork loin.
Roast the pork: Put the stuffed pork loin in the oven and roast uncovered for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until your desired doneness. Typically, pork needs to be roasted for about 20 minutes per pound, so you should adjust your cooking time accordingly depending upon the size of your pork.
Check the internal temperature: However, for food safety reasons, regardless of whether you like your pork more or less done, it must reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) when tested with a cooking thermometer. If the pork loin has not reached 145°F when you check it, allow it to cook for a few more minutes and then check the temperature again.
Rest the meat: When done cooking, remove the pork loin from the oven, wrap it in foil, and let it sit for a full 15 minutes before slicing. Resting is a very important step that helps to keep the pork juicy and from drying out.
Serve and enjoy: Once the pork is done resting, slice it and serve with a few of your favorite sides for a complete meal!

Notes

Fully caramelize the apples. To get the most delicious sweet apple flavor, take your time when cooking the diced apples. They need time to break down in their own sugars and blend with the brown sugar and cinnamon as well.
Season and sear the pork well. Be generous with the salt and pepper when seasoning your pork prior to searing. The meat needs to be fully seasoned so that the outer crust is super flavorful. And also be sure to sear your pork very well until it’s nice and crispy on all sides for the best results.
Rest the pork: To keep the pork loin as juicy as possible you must rest the pork for the full 15 minutes. This step is not optional for the best results.
You can store leftover apple stuffed pork loin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months! To reheat, simply put the sliced pork covered with a damp paper towel in the microwave for about 3 minutes on medium power. You can also reheat the stuffed pork on a sheet pan in the oven at 350°F (176°C) for about 10 minutes.

Nutrition