Grapes pair beautifully with onions, rosemary, and thyme to make a delicious sweet & savory, gluten free sauce for pork tenderloin
Disclosure: By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the California Table Grape Commission and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
In honor of 9/11, I tried all day to think about everything I am thankful for today.
There's the obvious ones {but no less important} like God's grace
My family and how crazy but entertaining they all are
My favorite niece & nephew and the time I got to spend with them last weekend
All the different things I call "work" like helping families learn to live healthier lives as well as being a barre3 instructor.
This might sound silly and/or insincere but I am thankful that I write this blog.
I am thankful for the opportunities I get from writing my humble little blog. One of my favorites is working with the Recipe ReDux.
Every month, there is a new theme that members of the Recipe ReDux post about. There are also recipe challenges like the one with Vita Coco coconut water. I love finding new things or trying an old thing in a new way. The latter is the perfect example with grapes - this month's recipe contest: Fall in Love with Grapes
I have always liked grapes but this recipe challenge made me fall back in love with them.
[Tweet "ad: Fall in love with grapes in this tasty#glutenfree #dairyfree Pork Tenderloin w/Â Grape Sauce!"]
To be honest, I kinda overlook grapes because I didn't feel like there was much I could do with them other than snack on them by themselves.
Oh how very wrong I was!
First, I forgot how much I liked grapes. I bought 2 pounds of them and finished them off before I could even think of a recipe to use them in. ha!
Second, grapes are so versatile! Who knew?!
Well, now you do!
For my recipe, I made Pork Tenderloin with Grape Sauce.
I have to admit that I didn't think this would turn out very great. Wrong again!
Who knew grapes could be good in a savory dish? Who knew I'd actually like them with pork? What the what?
Here are some fun facts about grapes:
- Grapes of all colors – red, black and green – are a natural source of beneï¬cial antioxidants and other polyphenols
- One serving of grapes (ยพ cup) contains just 90 calories, no fat, no cholesterol and virtually no sodium, and also provide potassium and are a good source of vitamin K.
With that in mind, why wouldn't you want to add some grapes to your day?
Try adding grapes in an unexpected way with this Pork Tenderloin with Grape Sauce dish.
It's easy and delicious. The grapes add a touch of sweetness to the dish and the combination of thyme & rosemary mesh the flavors together so well. So very well.
You only have to dirty one skillet, too. Minimal clean up is a huge plus for me! I had some cooked rice in the fridge and that was the perfect side to soak up the extra sauce. You could also do whole wheat pasta or quinoa.
One last thing: I added bacon because I was skeptical about the dish. It took this meal from yummy to over-the-top-good! However, the bacon is optional. Feel free to skip it and use 1 tablespoon olive oil in place of the bacon grease. Oh and yeah, so I used bacon grease. Per serving, it is the same calories and adds less than 1g saturated fat, but I understand if you'd rather use olive oil. {But the extra bacon flavor really works beautifully with the sweet grapes}.
I beg you to cast aside your prejudice or lack of faith in the humble grape and try this dish to Fall in Love with Grapes {again}! Enjoy!

Pork Tenderloin with Grape Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon optional
- 1 large onion about 2 cups, diced
- 1.25 pounds pork tenderloin sliced into medallions
- ยฝ teaspoon salt divided
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups red grapes whole or halved
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ยพ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Instructions
- Cook the bacon over medium heat in a large skillet. Remove from skillet and place on paper towels to drain. Wipe out all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease*.
- Add the onion to the skillet and saute for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, sprinkle the pork medallions with ยผ teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Push the onions to the sides of the skillet and add the pork in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until seared. Transfer pork to a plate.
- Add the grapes and garlic to the skillet with the onions. Saute for 30 seconds; then add the chicken broth, red wine vinegar, rosemary, thyme, and remaining ยผ teaspoon salt. Scrape up any bits of pork off the skillet - this helps add flavor to the sauce.
- Simmer for about 3 minutes, until the sauce reduces. Add the pork and any juices that have accumulated on the plate back to the skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir everything together and simmer for another 3-5 minutes until done.
- Serve pork over a bed of cooked rice, pasta, or quinoa, and spoon grapes & sauce over pork. Crumble cooked bacon over pork, and enjoy!
Notes
*Nutrition Facts calculated for ยผ recipe using 1 lb. pork and bacon grease.
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Meme
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Deanna Segrave-Daly says
What a fantastic recipe - I think the common "aha" for everyone who's entered this contest is really how versatile cooking with grapes can be. BTW, adorable family photos ๐
Meme says
Thanks Deanna; I think they're pretty cute too ๐
And I am now officially obsessed with grapes. I can't wait to try all the imaginative recipes that have been posted!
Lauren @ Sweat The Sweet Stuff says
I made a grape reduction and thought it would be great over a pork loin!
Meme says
Ohh yum I bet it would be too because the grape sauce was so good with the pork!