Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Spiced Apple Compote
One of my favorite ways to transition from the comfort foods of winter to lighter, more Spring-like fare is by serving a dinner that includes sliders.
I love a great sandwich for dinner once in awhile (especially next to a bowl of soup). But when warmer weather arrives, it’s beyond easy to lighten up the ingredients of that sandwich for a healthier meal.
Another thing I love about sliders is the flexibility they offer. While a typical serving might be two turkey and ham sliders, hungrier eaters (like my husband) can have three, while I might just have one.
For this reason, meals like this are great for families with kids of a variety of ages, as well.
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This meal comes together in about a half hour by preparing the compote as the pork tenderloin is roasting. The pork is simply rubbed with salt and pepper, seared on the stovetop until it has a nice brown crust (break out the cast iron skillet if you have one!), then finished in the oven.
The spiced apple compote includes Gala apples, a touch of Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar, and a bit of chili powder and cayenne pepper. The finished compote has a great depth of flavor, but isn’t hot and spicy. The pork tenderloin sliders are built on small whole wheat rolls and finished with peppery arugula. Enjoy!
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Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Spiced Apple Compote
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin about 1 pound
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 Gala apples cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 8 whole wheat dinner rolls split
- 2 cups arugula
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Sprinkle all sides of pork with salt and pepper. Heat large cast iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil to skillet. Transfer pork to skillet; sear 8 to 10 minutes or until browned on all sides, turning every 2 minutes.
- Transfer skillet to oven; cook 15 to 17 minutes or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145 degrees F. Transfer pork to cutting board; let stand 5 minutes before slicing.
- Meanwhile, in medium saucepot, cook apples, vinegar, water, mustard, chili powder and cayenne over medium-high heat 18 to 20 minutes or until apples are softened and most liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Use spoon to lightly mash and break up apples as they cook.
- Thinly slice pork and build sliders using pork, apple compote and arugula.
Hi Lori,
This is a great recipe. It looks very sweet. I will try it soon.
Thank so much!
Thanks for stopping by, Kim!
What a fantastic combination of flavors! I’d be tempted to eat that apple compote by itself, but I’ll bet it’s the perfect topping for these sliders.
Oh, I definitely ate several scoops of the compote by itself 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, Dara!
Loving this compote, also I have no shame in admitting that I’d probably eat three of these. Love those Gala apples!
Ain’t no shame in eating three, girlfriend!
Wishing I had these for dinner! So delicious and your photos are stunning!!!
Thanks so much, Milisa!
Oh my goodness, love the apple compote on these sliders! PINNED!!!!
Thanks Aimee!
I love me a good slider! These look delish!
Thanks Nicole!
I love the upscale twist on sliders. The spiced apple compote with pork tenderloin is just perfect!
Thanks so much, Alida. It’s funny to hear “upscale” and “sliders” in the same sentence, but that’s really what I was going for!
DELICIOUS! Love the spiced apple on top of the pork, my mouth is watering just looking at it!
Apples and pork really are a match made in heaven. Thanks Mary!
These look gorgeous and are seriously making me hungry!
Thanks Terri!
What a fun take on sliders! Love the use of the compote!
Thanks so much, Peabody. Compotes are so fun!
Thanks for calling me out for wanting three! They were delicious. You should be flattered that I wanted more. In all seriousness, apples are one of the best items in Michigan – from great Cider Mills around Detroit like Yates and Franklin, to slushies made with Fujis, to tasty pies made at Zehnders and Zingermans. This recipe does such a great job highlighting the apple without making it the focal point. Nice job!
Man, SO many good apple delicacies in our state!
Ooooh, I love these sliders. Heading over to visit the recipe.
Thanks so much, Jennie!