Are you looking for an affordable holiday meal that comes together in under 3 hours? If time (and money) is of the essence, you’ll want to bookmark my impressive Apple Glazed Pork Loin. Carefully chosen seasonings and my signature apple habanero glaze turn this inexpensive cut of meat into a holiday masterpiece. Though this loin is far cheaper than ham or turkey, it holds its own in the flavor department.
The meat is seasoned with a blend of chipotle peppers, brown sugar, and apple notes before being smoked low and slow on the Traeger Ironwood XL. When the meat is almost done, it’s glazed with Heath Riles BBQ Apple Habanero BBQ Glaze, giving it a kick of heat. Whether laying out your fanciest dishes or prepping for a casual family feast, this recipe will give everyone what they want. Serve it with one of my recommended side dishes to be the talk of the town!
Apple Glazed Pork Loin | Heath Riles BBQ
Pork loin is often forgotten, especially during the holiday season when turkeys fly off the shelves. But, for those on a budget or those wanting a change of pace, pork loin can provide the festive flair you’re looking for. Pork loin takes on the flavor of whatever you put on it, giving it endless possibilities. It’s also relatively lean and pairs well with heavier, Southern-style side dishes.
In my opinion, there’s nothing better than pork and apple, and when seasoned with Heath Riles BBQ Apple Rub, the meat takes on a subtle fruity note. The seasoning blend gives the pork loin an incredible crust set off by a sticky-sweet glaze. This recipe will become a favorite with holiday hosts balancing a tight cooking schedule.
The Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make a platter of flavorsome Apple Glazed Pork Loin.
- Pork loin. Pork is generally budget-friendly, and pork loin is no exception. I purchased an 8-pound loin for under $20! I cut my pork loin in half to help it cook faster. Loin is a great cut of meat for those who want to feed a crowd without spending all day over the stove.
- Extra-virgin olive oil. This mild binder helps the seasonings stick and adds a layer of moisture. You can use mustard, mayonnaise, avocado oil, water, or no binder.
- Heath Riles BBQ Apple Rub. If you can’t get enough of the fragrant flavors of apple, you’ll want to stock up on this rub. It includes all-natural apple flavor, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, giving ribs, roasts, chicken wings, and pork a distinctive flair.
- Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle Rub. This blend has gotten a lot of attention, particularly from those who love an excellent spicy-sweet combination. Not only does it add flavor to meat, but it also gives it a gorgeous hue. You’ll love adding a dash to your burgers, vegetables, casseroles, and steaks.
- Heath Riles BBQ Apple Habanero BBQ Glaze. I spent over 6 years perfecting this recipe, and I think you’ll agree that it was worth the wait. You can enjoy it on its own or pair it with one of my BBQ sauces for a great mashup. I love adding it to hams and ribs to give them a glossy finish.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites can be found in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Pellet grill/smoker. I smoked this Apple Glazed Pork Loin on the Traeger Ironwood XL. This grill is ideal for holiday cooking, as it can fit multiple racks of ribs or loin. It makes burgers, pork chops, roasts, and chicken wings taste out of this world. If you love fun features as much as I do, you’ll be a huge fan of the Wi-Fi capabilities and super-smoke button! This grill is worth the investment, as it’ll keep you grilling quality food for years.
- Pellets. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, my fuel of choice whether on the circuit or at home. Royal Oak uses pure ingredients without fillers, so you get the most bang for your buck. Plus, they’re readily available at most farm and fleet stores, and your local big box store.
The Process for Making Apple Glazed Pork Loin
If you prefer a visual demonstration, you’ll find that in my video. For now, here’s a brief rundown of how I prepped this savory-sweet Apple Glazed Pork Loin.
- Fire up the grill. I stoked the Traeger Ironwood XL with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets and fired it up to 275℉.
- Trim the pork loin. I removed the pork loin from its packaging and patted it dry. Then, I cut the loin in half. This allowed me to smoke two pieces of meat in a timely manner, rather than waiting for the center of one large loin to come to temp. I removed the hard fat and tissue from the loin's top, improving the meat’s texture and appearance. Be sure to watch the video to see my trimming method.
- Add binder and seasoning. I drizzled the pork loin with olive oil, then seasoned it liberally on all sides with Heath Riles BBQ Apple Rub and Heath Riles BBQ Honey Chipotle Rub.
- Start smoking. I laid the Apple Glazed Pork Loin directly on the Traeger Ironwood XL’s grates and let them smoke undisturbed for a little over an hour. At this point, my meat was about 125℉ internally.
- Glaze the pork loin. With the meat still on the grill, I laid down a good layer of Heath Riles BBQ Apple Habanero BBQ Glaze. I brushed the glaze over the meat to cook it evenly, then let it cook for 15 more minutes, giving me a total cook time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. I was looking for an internal temperature of 142℉-144℉. I removed the Apple Glazed Pork Loin from the pit and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
The Results
The Apple Glazed Pork Loin came off the pit dripping in succulent juices, even though I hadn’t injected or brined it. The light notes of apple were perfectly accented with a hint of heat on the back end. This easy, simple recipe incorporates all the best flavors of seasonal BBQ.
Serving Suggestions for Apple Glazed Pork Loin
This pork loin is great on its own, but try one of these mouthwatering side dishes for a total holiday feast.
- Hot Honey Jalapeńo Cornbread. If your family loves serving cornbread for the holidays, you’ll love this spicy variation. It features a delicious hint of bacon and hot peppers but is mild enough for everyone to enjoy. Serve with extra honey butter for an impressive plate.
- Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes. If you want an elegant twist on a classic holiday standby, try these mashed potatoes. The tanginess of the Gouda cheese combines with a kiss of smoke to make an unforgettable side dish.
- Sweet Potato Pie. Impress friends and family with a made-from-scratch pie. This pie is homemade, but couldn’t be easier to make. Plus, you can cook it on the smoker alongside your other menu items.
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Apple Glazed Pork Loin in the fridge for up to five days or freeze it for up to five months. If reheating from frozen, add more glaze to keep it feeling fresh. Leftover pork loin can be chopped and mixed into Smoked Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans, quiche, or burritos.
Equipment and Tools
Traeger Ironwood XL, Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, disposable cutting board, ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, ChefAlarm, wire cooling rack, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Silicone Brush.
