Roast Pork Loin with Fennel & Apples

uncooked seasoned pork loin on a bed of apples and fennel in a dutch oven

Have you ever cooked with fennel before? If not, this roasted pork loin with fennel & apples is the perfect recipe to try. It’s so easy.

You guys. I went a little crazy with fennel last month. I make a gazillon recipes with three bulbs that I bought, and now I’m finally going to tell you about them. I suppose we should just call this Simply Whisked’s unofficial fennel week, because both of this weeks recipes feature fennel. So I hope you like fennel. If not, I get it. It’s totally one of those things that you either love or hate (sort of like cilantro, and we all know I love that, too).

This recipe is super easy. You just slice up some fennel, onions and apples and throw them in a pan. Then you smear a super flavorful garlic-herb paste all over a pork loin and pop it into the oven. That it. What you end up with is nothing short of amazing. The zip of the apples pairs to well with the licorice flavor of the fennel. But, then the pop of garlic and herb gets you and it’s like “woah”. You are going to love it.

I just love how versatile pork is. I like to serve this with a heap of garlic mashed potatoes and my favorite arugula salad, but make any side dishes you want. It can seriously go with anything.

Make the rub. Mix together olive oil, sage, garlic, lemon zest, salt & pepper to form a paste. Rub paste onto pork loin to evenly coat.

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Layer the dish. Place seasoned fennel, onion, apple and lemon juice into a dutch oven. Then place pork loin on top of mixture.

Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes – 1 hour 45 minutes or until pork has reached an internal temperature of 145˚F.

FAQs and tips on making roast pork with fennel & apples

When roasting pork loin do you cover it?

You do not have to cover the pork when you are cooking it for this recipe.

What temperature should you cook a pork loin?

A pork loin needs to reach an internal temperature of 145˚F. Cooking a leaner cut of meat like a pork loin to a higher temperature will toughen and dry out the meat.

How many minutes per pound do you cook a pork loin and at what temperature?

If you are baking at 350˚F pork loin will need to cook for about 20-25 minutes per pound.

Want to know more about fennel?

This is a great article to read.