**The recipe and photographs in this post were developed by me for Ontario Apple Growers. I am using this recipe and images with permission from Ontario Apple Growers.**
Happy New Year!
With the busy holiday season behind us, it’s time to resume a regular routine for the new year. This includes planning healthy meals that are easy to make on busy weeknights.
Try this easy and healthy sheet pan dinner to get a meal on the table quickly that your whole family will enjoy.
Why use apples in savoury dishes?
This dinner encompasses a variety of nutritional ingredients including local Gala apples. I choose Gala apples for this recipe because they’re sweet, fragrant and crisp and you can find them at any time of the year. Gala apples hold their shape and keep their bright red skin colour and nutrition when cooked.
We all know the classic pairing of apples with pork. It’s classic because the bright acidity of cooked apples gives off a sweetness that touches the tongue and balances beautifully with savoury pork. It’s such a delightful combination loved by many. Just think of that spit-roasted pig with a large red apple stuffed in its mouth – that’s where it all began!
Only a few minutes and ingredients are required to prep this entire dinner. Simply season all the main ingredients: whole pork tenderloin, sliced unpeeled apples and sweet potatoes with the Rosemary, salt, and pepper. Arrange on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and pop in the oven.
While the oven does its magic, mix up the two ingredient maple Dijon glaze. Brush the glaze on the partially cooked pork, apples and sweet potatoes and return them to the oven to roast a little longer. In a short while, you’ll have an amazing dinner with a heavenly aroma that will have everyone running to the kitchen.
Two-ingredient maple Dijon glaze
Since pork tenderloin is very lean, brushing it with the incredibly flavourful two ingredient maple Dijon glaze while it roasts allows the pork to become golden and caramelized while remaining moist and tender on the inside.
The caramelized maple Dijon glaze guarantees loads of sweet and savory flavour. It also makes a great dipping sauce on the side.
If you can’t find plump pork tenderloin in the recommended weight, then use two smaller pork tenderloins, cut the apples and sweet potatoes a little smaller, and reduce the cooking time slightly.
This Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Apples & Pork recipe is the cover feature in the October 2019 Horizon Food & Drink magazine.
There couldn’t be a better way to start your new year! This family-friendly meal with no mess and no stress is a lifesaver for any busy night. You’ll want to put this sheet pan dinner on your meal plan over and over again.
Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Apples & Pork
Pork, apples and sweet potatoes roasted on a sheet pan with a two-ingredient Maple Dijon glaze. A sweet and savoury family dinner with minimal clean-up required.
Ingredients
- 1 large large Ontario pork tenderloin (about 400g - 500g)
- 2 tablespoons dried Rosemary, crushed in a mortar & pestle, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 4 local Gala apples, unpeeled, cored, cut into 8 wedges each
- 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, scrubbed, unpeeled and cut into small wedges
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Two-Ingredient Maple Dijon Glaze
- ½ cup pure Canadian maple syrup
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare a large baking sheet, and if desired, line the bottom with parchment paper.
-
Rub the pork tenderloin all over with 1 tablespoon of the dried Rosemary, ½ teaspoon of the salt and ½ teaspoon of the black pepper. Set aside.
-
Spread the apples and sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining dried Rosemary, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Push them aside leaving the centre of the pan open for the pork tenderloin. Place the pork tenderloin in the centre and re-arrange the potatoes and apples around it as necessary. Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the pork. Roast for 25 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, prepare the maple Dijon glaze. In a small bowl combine maple syrup and mustard. Divide the glaze in two portions (for glaze and dipping).
-
After roasting for 25 minutes, remove sheet pan from oven and brush half of the maple Dijon glaze all over the pork, apples and sweet potatoes. Reserve the remaining glaze in a small bowl for dipping.
-
Return the sheet pan to the oven and roast for another 10 – 15 minutes until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. and the glaze starts to caramelize.
-
Remove the pork to a board, let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Slice pork and serve with the apples, sweet potatoes and maple Dijon glaze for dipping. Garnish with fresh Rosemary if desired.
Last fall I participated with Ontario Apple Growers on a local apple farm tour with several other food influencers. I had the opportunity to learn all about local apples directly from the growers.
Find out more about other types of local apples and how to use them.
Looks like a very quick & easy meal!
It sure is quick and easy and best of all tasty!
This recipe looks delicious. I’m looking forward to using it at our next family gathering.
What a perfect dish for this time of the year.
I love pork with apples but usually just use apple sauce on the side.
Rita, the addition of the apples while baking the pork along with the sweetness of maple syrup is pure perfection.
Thanks for the recipe. I will definitely try it, and pass it along to my family and friends as well.
Thank you Janis! I’m so happy you love this recipe. It’s a favourite at our house.
Is interesting dish
I love suits potato and apple purée but I never tried like this ?
Thanks for your very good recipes!!!
This is perfect timing! I am having a progressive dinner down in Arizona when we head down in a few weeks and I feel this would be a perfect main course for the group!!
I agree Susan this will be a perfect dish to serve for your dinner! Enjoy!
Rita, this recipe looks awesome! I usually have applesauce with pork but love the idea of cooking the apples around the pork. Perfect for a Sunday family dinner 🙂
So happy you like it. It’s a popular quick sheet pandinner in our house.