Apple Butter Pork Loin

Pork loin is one of the best cuts of pork there is, but it can be a bit of a pain to figure out how to cook it. With a little bit of homemade apple butter, though, it can be super easy, as well as incredibly delicious!

Make sure that you make your very own Apple Butter for this recipe to really give it an extra kick. You could also make your own Homemade Seasoned Salt as well!

What is Apple Butter Pork Loin?

Pork loin is a fantastic cut of pork that is sorely underutilized in most home kitchens.

This is because of how easy it is to accidentally overcook the loin in the oven, plus how tricky it can be to figure out what you should pair with your pork loin.

Luckily, this recipe takes care of all of that. Thanks to plenty of apple butter and some warming spices, as well as some chopped vegetables to help insulate the meat, it should be more accessible than ever to get your pork loin to perfect juicy doneness.          

Apple Butter Pork Loin Ingredients

Make sure you look at the recipe card at the very bottom for the exact amounts so that you know exactly what to buy for this recipe.

• Boneless pork loin roast

• Seasoning Salt

• Apple Juice

• Apple Butter

• Brown sugar

• Ground cloves

• Ground cinnamon

• Chopped carrots

• Chopped potatoes

• Chopped onions

How To Make Apple Butter Pork Loin

• Pat the pork roast with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and then rub the seasoning salt onto the top and sides of the roast

• Place the roast in the bottom of a large roaster

• In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the apple butter, brown sugar, cloves, and cinnamon together

• Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if you need to thin the mixture a bit, so it spreads over the roast

• Add the apple butter mixture to the top and sides of the roast making sure it is covered

• Place desired vegetables around the roast if you want as well

• Pour the apple juice into the bottom of the roaster, making sure to not pour it onto the roast, or it will ruin the texture

• Put the roast in the pre-heated oven set to 450 Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, and then turn the oven temperature down to 300° F, making sure not to open the door of the oven

• Let the roast continue to roast for another 20-25 minutes per pound of meat until the internal temperature reaches 140° F when a meat thermometer is inserted into the middle

• Remove the roast from the oven and cover it with foil

• Let it rest 10 minutes, and then slice and serve

How To Cook Your Pork Loin Safely & Tenderly

There is a common fear when cooking larger pieces of meat, like a pork loin, that you will undercook it and risk making your dinner guests ill.

The best way to avoid problems with large pieces of meat is to invest in a good instant-read thermometer. They might seem a little pricey initially, but they are 100% worth the money. Buy a cheap thermometer, and you will almost definitely be looking to replace it within a year. However, spend a bit more, and your thermometer will last you forever.

You want to make sure that you get a thermometer that is designed for cooking meat and that has an easy clean prong that will reach the center of even large pieces of meat.

Once you have your thermometer, the only thing that you need to remember is that the USDA recommends pork should be cooked to at least 145 °F.

So, when your pork is starting to look and smell like it might be done, take it out of the oven and check its internal temperature. If the thermometer reads at least 145 °F, you are good. If not, pop your pork loin back into the oven for a little longer.

How To Cut The Vegetables So That They Cook Evenly

If you choose to add vegetables to your pork loin while it is cooking, it is important to ensure that they cook evenly. There is nothing more annoying than having half of your carrots cooked to perfection and the other half overlay crunching and jarring.

While you do not want your vegetables to be so small that they lack a satisfying bite, they will cook better when they are smaller. Try to find a balance between large enough to have a bite to them but also still small enough that they cook properly.

Cut The Vegetables to The Same Size

The key to getting your vegetables to cook evenly is to make sure that they are cut to a consistent size. Carrots, for example, cook best when cut into chunks that are no wider than 1/2 inch. Potatoes are best when they are a similar size, so make sure to keep them smaller than 1/2 inch thick.

Different vegetables cook at different rates so try to stick with vegetables that all cook for a similar length of time.

Alternatively, if you have two very different vegetables that you really want to use, add the one that takes longer to cook to the roast first. Then add the other vegetables that need less cooking time later to ensure a more even cooking.

Looking for more delicious Pork Roast recipes? Try these out:

• Pork Rib Roast

• Pork Butt Roast / Boston Butt Roast with Mushroom Gravy

• Rosemary Garlic Parmesan Pork Tenderloin

Happy Cooking

Love,

Karlynn

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