Find a Recipe!

Just a Little Bit of Bacon

where comfort food meets the farm stand

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • beverages
    • desserts
    • grilling and bbq
    • main courses
    • quick dinners
    • side dishes
    • soups and stews
  • mediterranean recipes
    • italian recipes
      • italian comfort food
      • italian antipasti
      • fundamentals of italian cooking
    • spanish recipes
      • spanish tapas
    • french recipes
      • french comfort food
    • greek recipes
  • holiday favorites
    • christmas
    • easter dinner
    • thanksgiving feast
  • resources
    • dinner and party menus
    • farmers’ market
      • ingredient spotlight
    • roundup post
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Sage

September 14, 2016 By justalittlebitofbacon 6 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. Click here for details.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Yummly
  • Tumblr

The weather is getting cooler but it’s not time yet to turn off the grill! Not when you can make this easy grilled pork tenderloin, which is tender and juicy and full of the great flavors of lemon and sage. Yum!

And the grilled apples? Smokey and a little crispy from the searing and sweet and perfect with the pork. You’ll be enjoying your grill (and the easy cleanup) until the snow starts flying. And maybe even after!

Fall grilling is at its best with this easy grilled pork tenderloin which is paired with grilled apple slices and fresh sage. Yum! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Hello, all!

Around here we don’t hang up our grill once Labor Day comes and goes, and I don’t think you do either! However, the sorts of meals I grill in the fall do change to take advantage of seasonal flavors and seasonal produce. Like this easy grilled pork tenderloin, which is a great example of fall grilling!

(Too chilly for grilling? Try my Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin! Just as simple and delicious.)

The flavor of the sage reminds me of sage stuffing and apples are so fresh in the fall that they hold to the grill beautifully. Just make sure you use a good, grilling apple.

What makes a good, grilling apple you ask?

Any apple which can hold up to baking without falling apart is likely to do well on the grill. Freshness does matter, which isn’t an issue during the fall months when the apples aren’t sitting in warehouses. But general firmness also matters. So, don’t use Macintosh or other soft apples. Rather go for Granny Smith or Braeburn or Honeycrisp or similar apples. Here’s a good resource: Best Apples for Grilling.

Looking at those apple slices and wondering what to use to get the core out? I like the OXO apple corer. It cores without slicing, has a sturdy handle, and does the job in no time. It also works for pears and I bet it would be good for filled cupcakes. (I haven’t tried that yet, but I’m sure I’ll get a chance soon.)

Fall grilling is at its best with this easy grilled pork tenderloin which is paired with grilled apple slices and fresh sage. Yum! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Another important part of the recipe is the sage. Please use fresh sage if you can since the flavor is much better! Even though I have a black thumb, sage is a plant I can grow. I have some in my herb garden and I also grow sage in pots. It’s so convenient having it available right when I want it.

I know a lot of people aren’t fond of raw sage, so feel free to skip adding any as garnish, sticking to the cooked sage on the pork. I love sage raw or cooked (I’m weird that way) and I’ll happily eat the garnish; however, you might want to add some parsley or thyme as a fresh herb if you feel the need to have one.

Honestly, I do more garnishing for photos than I ever do in real life. I do my best to keep the photos real without food styling tricks and show the recipes the way we eat them, but a few fresh herbs or spices on top do make the photos pop. And it reminds you what’s in the recipe! I can taste it since I made it, but that visual cue of fresh sage is making you think of the flavor.

Fall grilling is at its best with this easy grilled pork tenderloin which is paired with grilled apple slices and fresh sage. Yum! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

This recipe for grilled tenderloin has been on my list for a few months now. We’ve been grilling it up and loving it for dinner since it’s so flavorful and tender and…I’ll just say it: easy. Sear it and then cook it low and slow until it comes to temperature and then it just about melts in your mouth. So good!

However, I just had the pork tenderloin and I wanted to give you a meal. Then a few weeks back I was visiting with a good friend and we were chatting about the blog and about recipes and she mentioned a great grilled apple and pork kebab dinner she had made recently. I immediately knew that was the twist I needed for the pork! So here is a shout out for my excellent friend who gave me the inspiration to complete this recipe. šŸ™‚

For sides I would recommend my Sweet Potato Salad (which has so many great fall flavors too!) and my Zucchini Cheddar Biscuits (tender and tasty enough to convert even zucchini haters).


If you try my recipe for Grilled Pork Tenderloin, I would love to hear from you in the comments with your experience and rating! And I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.

You can connect with me by subscribing to my emails or liking my Facebook or Pinterest (see the form and icons in the sidebar or below the recipe card)

– Happy Eating, Annemarie

Fall grilling is at its best with this easy grilled pork tenderloin which is paired with grilled apple slices and fresh sage. Yum! | justalittlebitofbacon.com
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Sage

Fall grilling is at its best with this easy grilled pork tenderloin which is paired with grilled apple slices and fresh sage.
Prep Time3 hours hrs
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: grilled pork, pork tenderloin
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 350kcal
Author: justalittlebitofbacon

Ingredients

Marinated Pork Tenderloins

  • 2 pork tenderloins, (~2 lbs total), trimmed of fat and connective tissue
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt

Grilled Apples

  • 4 medium apples
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar, optional
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage

Instructions

  • Put the trimmed tenderloins in a casserole dish or resealable bag. Add the marinade ingredients and mix well to coat the pork evenly. Let the pork marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
  • One hour before dinner, take the pork out of the refrigerator and let it warm up on the counter.
  • Preheat the grill.
  • While the grill is preheating, core and slice the apples 1/4 inch thick. Then toss them with the oil, sugar, and sage.
  • Take the pork out of the marinade and pat it mostly dry, just so it doesn't have much of the marinade still on it. Put the pork on the grill, and cook it for 2-3 minutes, or until it has a good sear. Turn the pork over to sear the other side. Lay out the apple slices on the grill. Grill the pork and apples for 3 minutes. Turn over the apples. Then lower the heat to low, cover the grill and continue cooking until the the pork reaches 150-160F on the thermometer, depending on how pink you like your pork, about 10 minutes more.
  • Transfer the pork and apples to a serving platter. Slice the pork and sprinkle some fresh sage over. Serve.

Notes

  • What Apples to Choose? Use firm-fleshed baking apples, such as Braeburns or Honeycrisp for the grill. They hold their shape and make nice, grilled slices.
  • Sugar = Caramelization I like the caramelization the apples get from being tossed with some sugar before putting them on the grill. However, if you want to avoid sugar, just toss them with oil and sage.
  • Temperature: Make sure you cook your pork to at least 145F. 145F plus a 3-5 minute resting time is considered to be a safe temperature for pork. I personally like a little pink, but not too much, so I try for about 150F.

Related Posts:

  • When it's too hot to cook inside that's when you need some tried and true grilling recipes! These are six of my favorites, from weeknights to holidays.
    6 Favorite Grilling Recipes for Summer
  • This grilled pork tenderloin peaches and radicchio platter is full of great Spanish flavors and fun additions to make this an excellent meal for a special occasion. Or for next Saturday night! | justalittlebitofbacon.com
    Spanish Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Peaches and Radicchio
  • My bone-in grilled breaded pork chops are pounded thin and covered in a panko and parmesan crust for a tender and juicy Italian style summer dinner. Serve with a simple sauce of black olives and basil. | justalittlebitofbacon.com #grillrecipes #summerrecipes #italianrecipes #porkrecipes #porkchops #italian #dinnerrecipes
    Grilled Breaded Pork Chops
  • For the best roast pork tenderloin, give the meat a herb rub with rosemary and mustard, sear it in a cast iron skillet, and then finish the roast in the oven until perfectly cooked. Simple, delicious, and juicy! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. | justalittlebitofbacon.com #porkrecipes #dinnerrecipes #porktenderloin #porkroast #easyrecipe
    Simple Roast Pork Tenderloin
  • Sicilian swordfish is an easy dinner recipe perfect for a summer's evening. Just fire up the grill to cook your summer squash and then the swordfish steaks, top it all with a tangy lemon and olive oil oregano sauce and some diced tomatoes, and you have a meal!
    Grilled Sicilian Swordfish with Oregano and Summer Squash
  • Thin pork tenderloin medallions are quickly pan seared and then tossed with sauteed apples and a cider cream pan sauce in this fall inspired skillet dinner. | justalittlebitofbacon.com
    Sauteed Pork Tenderloin Medallions with a Cider Cream Sauce
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Yummly
  • Tumblr

Filed Under: 10 ingredients or less, fall, fruit, gluten free, grilling and bbq, main courses, meaty main dishes, recipe Tagged With: apples, pork, sage

« Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal
Soft and Tender Zucchini Cheddar Biscuits »

Follow me on:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Disclosure:

Justalittlebitofbacon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Comments

  1. Cathy says

    October 1, 2018 at 1:31 pm

    5 stars
    i mean how tender and juicy is that pork?! and wonderfully paired with those grilled apple slices. great tip about the apple corer. do you know i got my first one a couple years ago? not sure how i ever lived without it.

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      October 2, 2018 at 11:57 am

      Pork tenderloin is my favorite pork for the grill. It is so juicy! And apple corers seem like something you don’t need and won’t use until you get one.

      Reply
  2. Betsy says

    September 30, 2016 at 7:28 am

    This looks terrific Annemarie, and thanks for the shout out šŸ™‚ I’ll definitely be putting this one on my menu! Given we won’t be grilling come Winter, wonder if you could create a pork and apple dish for the crock pot?

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      September 30, 2016 at 9:04 pm

      Thank you for the idea! As for a slow cooker recipe, for you I’ll put it on the list of things to try. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Linda says

    September 27, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    This was a fantastic meal!!! I grill a lot and I been seasoning my pork tenderloins the same for a few years and was looking for something different. Plus a friend gave me some apples and I know they go together, just hadn’t cook that combo yet on grill. I have grilled lots of fruit, strawberries, peaches, pineapple ect.., but never apples. I was a little concerned with the sage for some reason, It was amazing and everyone couldn’t stop complementing the dish.I did add little bit of fennel seed and thyme to the seasoning and I never cook without pepper. Thank you!!!!!!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      September 27, 2016 at 9:43 pm

      Linda, thank you for coming back and commenting! Grilled apples were something new to me as well, but I thought why not? And I’m glad you gave the sage a chance. šŸ™‚

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello, I’m Annemarie

Welcome to my kitchen! I’m a Italian-American girl who loves fresh foods, local ingredients, and all sorts of comfort foods. Here you will find Mediterranean flavors and recipes from a New England perspective.

Follow me on:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Winter Recipes

Ruby red and cinnamon spiced, this blood orange compote is a beautiful and intensely flavored sauce perfect for spooning over creamy mascarpone mousse. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Cinnamon Spiced Blood Orange Compote with Mascarpone Mousse

Easy, delicious, and full of bubbles! This pomegranate prosecco cocktail has everything you need for a great holiday drink. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Pomegranate Prosecco Cocktail

This creamy, spicy roast pumpkin soup is full of Spanish flavors like paprika and roasted red peppers and topped with crispy pancetta. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Spicy Roast Pumpkin Soup – Spanish Style

Pear Quick Bread with Streusel Topping - What to do with those overripe pears sitting on your counter? Make an easy pear quick bread from them! Great for breakfast, for snacks, and it freezes well. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Pear Quick Bread with Streusel Topping

Leftover Roast Vegetable Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette - This salad is a tasty and easy way to use leftover roast vegetables and roast meats along with whatever salad fixings you have in the fridge. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Leftover Roast Beef Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette

Maple glazed pecans, blue cheese, and diced apples combine with dried cranberries and sliced celery in this fall harvest salad. Great for weeknight dinners and a wonderful side for Thanksgiving. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Pecan and Apple Fall Harvest Salad

Reader Favorites

Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb - Butterflied lamb is rubbed overnight with a flavorful herb and garlic mixture and then quickly grilled for a perfect dinner. It takes just 15 minutes to bring this roast to a beautifully seared outside and medium rare inside. Great for Easter dinner or for any cookout get-together. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb with a Herb Rub

Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup - Comforting, creamy, cheesy, and now even easier to make, this potato leek soup delivers all the flavor for only minutes of work. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Cheesy Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup

Dinner comes together in a flash with this recipe for kid-pleasing, one-pot ground beef pasta skillet topped with pesto and ricotta. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Ground Beef Skillet Pasta with Pesto and Ricotta

Easy, delicious, and full of bubbles! This pomegranate prosecco cocktail has everything you need for a great holiday drink. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Pomegranate Prosecco Cocktail

Authentic Italian marinara sauce is cooked low and slow to create a thick and flavorful sauce made in the manner of my family tradition. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Authentic Homemade Italian Marinara Sauce

This easy flourless chocolate cake is amazingly dense, rich and decadent. Every bite is packed with intense bittersweet chocolate flavor. | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Easy Flourless Chocolate Cake

Copyright © 2025 — Just a Little Bit of Bacon • All rights reserved. Privacy Policy • Disclaimer

Genesis Framework • Foodie Pro Theme • by Shay Bocks