Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Why Make This Recipe

Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes is a delightful dish that combines tender pork with sweet and flavorful mashed sweet potatoes. The sweet and tangy apple cider enhances the pork’s natural juices, making it a dish that’s both comforting and delicious. This meal is perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners at home.

How to Make Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• Pork tenderloin (1.5 pounds): Trimmed and cut into medallions.
• Apple cider (1 cup): For marinating and cooking.
• Onion (1 medium): Sliced.
• Garlic (3 cloves): Minced.
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons): For searing.
• Thyme (1 teaspoon): Fresh or dried.
• Salt (to taste): For seasoning.
• Pepper (to taste): For seasoning.
• Butter (1 tablespoon): For added flavor in the sauce.
• Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): For thickening the sauce (optional).
• Sweet potatoes (2 large): Peeled and cubed.
• Butter (2 tablespoons): For creaminess.
• Heavy cream or milk (¼ cup): For smoothness.
• Salt (to taste): For seasoning.
• Cinnamon (¼ teaspoon): Optional, for added warmth.

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the pork medallions with ½ cup of apple cider, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 15-30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for more flavor).
2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the cubed sweet potatoes and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later. Sear the pork medallions in the hot skillet for about 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Pour in the reserved marinade and the remaining ½ cup of apple cider. Bring to a simmer. Return the pork to the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 145°F or 63°C).
5. Optional: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry and stir it into the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until thickened. Stir in the butter for added richness and flavor.
6. Add butter, heavy cream (or milk), salt, and cinnamon to the drained sweet potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
7. Plate the mashed sweet potatoes and top with the apple cider pork. Drizzle with the sauce from the skillet and garnish with fresh thyme if desired.

How to Serve Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Serve this dish hot, placing the pork on a bed of creamy mashed sweet potatoes. Drizzle the tangy apple cider sauce over the pork. You can add fresh thyme as a garnish for a touch of color and flavor.

How to Store Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

To store leftovers, let the pork and mashed sweet potatoes cool completely. Place them in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the pork and sweet potatoes for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the microwave or stovetop until heated through.

Tips to Make Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• Marinate the pork for longer to intensify the flavor.
• Adjust the seasoning in the mashed sweet potatoes based on your taste.
• Use fresh herbs for a brighter flavor when serving.

Variation

You can add veggies like carrots or green beans on the side for a colorful plate. For a smoky flavor, try adding a bit of smoked paprika to the pork seasoning.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of pork?

Yes, you can use other cuts like pork loin or pork chops, but cooking times may vary.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pork and sweet potatoes in advance and reheat them before serving.

Is this recipe suitable for a crowd?

Absolutely! You can easily double the recipe to serve more people. Just adjust your cooking times as needed.

Apple Cider Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A delightful dish combining tender pork with sweet mashed sweet potatoes, enhanced by tangy apple cider.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

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For the Pork

• 1.5 pounds Pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into medallions
• 1 cup Apple cider, for marinating and cooking
• 1 medium Onion, sliced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil, for searing
• 1 teaspoon Thyme, fresh or dried
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon Butter, for added flavor in the sauce
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch, for thickening the sauce (optional)

For the Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• 2 large Sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons Butter, for creaminess
• 0.25 cup Heavy cream or milk, for smoothness
• Salt, to taste
• 0.25 teaspoon Cinnamon, optional, for added warmth

Instructions

 

Preparation

• In a bowl, combine the pork medallions with ½ cup of apple cider, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 15-30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for more flavor).
• In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the cubed sweet potatoes and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot.

Cooking the Pork

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later. Sear the pork medallions in the hot skillet for about 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Pour in the reserved marinade and the remaining ½ cup of apple cider. Bring to a simmer. Return the pork to the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 145°F or 63°C).
• Optional: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry and stir it into the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until thickened. Stir in the butter for added richness and flavor.

Making the Mashed Potatoes

• Add butter, heavy cream (or milk), salt, and cinnamon to the drained sweet potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Serving

• Plate the mashed sweet potatoes and top with the apple cider pork. Drizzle with the sauce from the skillet and garnish with fresh thyme if desired.

Notes

Marinate the pork for longer to intensify the flavor. Adjust the seasoning in the mashed sweet potatoes based on your taste. Use fresh herbs for a brighter flavor when serving. You can add veggies like carrots or green beans on the side for a colorful plate. For a smoky flavor, try adding a bit of smoked paprika to the pork seasoning.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 600mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9g

Keyword Apple Cider Pork, Comfort Food, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Pork Recipe, Sweet Potato Recipe

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