Hard Cider Braised Pork with Apples and Onions
Hard Cider Braised Pork with Apples and Onions ~ this slow cooked pork loin is fork tender and infused with all the flavors of Fall. It's a super comforting one pot meal.
Servings: 4
Equipment
- A large heavy bottomed pot
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless pork loin
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- 4 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 apples any type will do, I used Honey Crisp
- 22 oz bottle of hard cider about 3 cups
- 1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs plus more leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Rub the pork loin with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Heat the remaining oil until very hot in a large heavy bottomed pot. Brown the pork on all sides. Put the pork aside.
- Add the onions to the same pan and stir until they soften and get some color. Put the onions on the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the pork.
- Add the cider to the hot pan and scrape up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan, this will give you great flavor.
- Thinly slice the apples, no need to peel. Arrange the apples around the pork. Pour the cider into the slow cooker. Tuck in sprigs of fresh thyme and cover.
- Cook on low for 6 hours.
- Remove the pork, onions, and apples to a platter and cover loosely with foil.
- Pour the remaining liquid into a saucepan and remove the thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil and cook until the gravy is reduced by about half, and slightly thickened, (it won't be real thick.) Taste to adjust the seasonings.
- Slice or shred the pork, and serve with the gravy. Scatter fresh thyme leaves over all.