Apple Butter Bourbon Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Fall is in the air yet it is still very much grilling season. This apple butter bourbon marinade is the perfect savory recipe to use on any favorite meat or veggie for a great dinner that can be made on the grill.  Perfect for football tailgates, dinner parties, or when you just need a break from the kitchen!

Alright alright alright.  I am VERY excited about this recipe.  Recently I made some of my crockpot apple butter (I also have a stovetop version if you prefer – both made without any sugar!) and made some apple butter cookies with it (which are amazingggg) and I had some leftover.  So I wanted to try something a little different and a little more creative than another baked good.  So I decided to take my apple butter and go the savory route!  And I am glad I did because yall this apple butter marinade is so good.  I paired it with our favorite bourbon, because who doesn’t like cooking with bourbon, and it really is such a simple recipe but it adds such great flavor that is perfect for fall.  Here I used it on pork tenderloin, but it would be great for chicken or fish, veggies, really anything! If you’re looking for more pork ideas, try this garlic roast pork!

So get out your grilling gear, because we are making your new favorite healthy fall dinner!

apple butter bourbon marinated pork tenderloin and veggies

Ingredients You’ll Need for Apple Butter Bourbon Marinade:

  • Apple butter – of course! I use my homemade crockpot apple butter but if you don’t have any and are short on time, or just don’t feel like making it yourself, you can get this in stores around fall time.
  • Apple juice – to build on the apple flavor but add some more liquid to get the meat soaking in.  I like to use juice whose only ingredient is apples.
  • Bourbon – ah yeah, the good stuff.  We use Bulleit but you can use your favorite!  And yes, don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off so this meal is fine for everyone to eat.
  • Worcestershire sauce – for some added flavor
  • Brown sugar – for just a touch of sweetness
  • Salt – because everything is better with a little salt 😉

Ingredients for making the veggies I prepared with it:

  • 1 lb brussel sprouts
  • 1 medium/large sweet potato
  • 1 apple – I used honey crisp because they are my fave
  • Onion
  • Salt & pepper

I love these veggies as a side dish and all you have to do is add a little salt and pepper and then you just pour the marinade over them too so it’s a great way to use up the rest of the marinade and get the most use out of it! If you’re looking for another side dish to serve with this, try this skillet mac and cheese!

apple butter bourbon marinade

Tips for The Perfect Apple Butter Bourbon Marinated Pork Tenderloin:

  • Mix all of the marinade ingredients together well, until all of the sugar is dissolved.
  • Buy yourself a meat thermometer – boy does it make life so much easier, I can’t believe I used to eye ball these things.  Regrets 
  • Let it marinate overnight – for the best flavor.  You can do a few hours if you are short on time.

And that is it!  If you have a question that I didn’t address please reach out and ask!  You can do so by leaving a comment below or shooting me a DM on Instagram.  I am here to help!

In addition to the listed ingredients, you will need:

  • a large baggie
  • a bowl to mix
  • a baking dish
  • cooking spray

I hope you enjoy your festive fall dinner!

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apple butter bourbon marinated pork tenderloin

Apple Butter Bourbon Marinated Pork Tenderloin


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  • Author: Megan
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Fall is in the air yet it is still very much grilling season. This apple butter bourbon marinade is the perfect savory recipe to use on any favorite meat or veggie for a great dinner that can be made on the grill.  Perfect for football tailgates, dinner parties, or when you just need a break from the kitchen!


Ingredients

Scale

Apple Butter Bourbon Marinade:

  • 1/3 cup apple butter
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Pork Tenderloin

  • One 1 lb pork tenderloin

Fall Veggies for the side:

  • 1 lb brussel sprouts, halved
  • 1 medium/large sweet potato, diced
  • 1/2 onion, sliced
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine the marinade ingredients, until sugar is fully dissolved.
  2. Pour the marinade over the pork tenderloin in a ziploc bag.  Soak in the fridge overnight (or for a few hours if short on time).
  3. When you are ready to cook, grill the pork until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Do not discard the leftover marinade.
  4.  In a greased baking dish, chop and combine all of your veggies, and then spray with cooking spray.  Season with salt and pepper to taste (add some red pepper flakes for a kick!).  Then pour the remaining marinade over the veggies, and stir to coat evenly.
  5. Bake at 350F uncovered for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven, stir again, and cover the baking dish and cook for an additional 15 minutes.  Most of the marinade should be absorbed and the sweet potatoes should be soft enough to stick a fork through, then you know you are done.
  6. Slice the meat and serve with the veggies.

Notes

For juiciest results, let the pork tenderloin rest for a few minutes after removing from the grill and before slicing.

You can always add more salt and pepper to the veggies once they are done if you weren’t sure how much to add at first!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Marinade
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3-4 slices

If you try this recipe please leave a rating and a review in a comment below! It would mean the world to me 🙂 If you remake on Instagram please also tag me at @donutworry_behealthy when you share so I can see your creation!

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apple butter bourbon marinade

One Comment

  1. How much brown sugar in the marinade? It’s not listed in the recipe, but the directions say to mix marinade until sugar is dissolved.

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