Pork Loin Blueberry Sauce

Some dinners hit differently, even if it is super simple to pull off. Yes, I’m talking about pork loin with blueberry sauce.  It feels fancy, but honestly, it’s simple enough for a weeknight. That’s a win in my book. Plus, it looks amazing on a plate when it is served. 

Bored with your traditional pork recipes? Just this simple dish for once, I bet, you’re going to love it. 

How to make it with simple ingredients? Well, in this article, I’ll tell you about this recipe from scratch. Let’s dive into it.

What Is Pork Loin Blueberry Sauce?

This is the mix of pork loin and blueberry sauce that is a no-brainer. Pork loin is a beautiful, lean cut of meat that is easy to cook. Yet, it stays tender and juicy without too much hassle. And blueberry sauce here to make the pork loin taste sweet and tangy. The acidity of this sauce goes deep into the meat and enhances the taste of your pork. Additionally, it provides an extra mild flavor to your pork. 

How to make Pork Loin with Blueberry Sauce?

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pork Loin

You need 2 – 2.5 pounds of perfect-cut pork loin. If you don’t know how to make a precise cut, just ask your butcher to make it. Also, ensure it does not have excessive fat on it. 

Fresh Blueberries

For the sauce, you need around 1 cup of fresh Blueberries. If you don’t have fresh berries, then frozen will be fine too. 

Balsamic Vinegar

1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar adds acidity and depth to the sauce. Also,  balance the sweetness of the blueberries and enhance the overall flavor complexity.

Olive Oil

1 teaspoon of olive oil to sear the pork loin, which helps to develop the crust.

Salt

Use 1 teaspoon of salt to season the pork. Also, it will help to balance the sweetness of the blueberry. 

Black Pepper

Black pepper is a basic seasoning here, so use it as per your taste. It complements both pork and sauce. 

Garlic Powder

Want a savory taste? Use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. It won’t overpower the flavour.

Dried Thyme or Rosemary

You can use 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or rosemary for an aromatic note.

Honey or Maple Syrup

Two tablespoons of sweetness to balance all that tang. I’m team honey, but maple syrup brings this cozy, almost smoky note that’s pretty incredible too.

Shallot or Finely Chopped Onion

One small shallot, chopped up tiny. Shallots are like onions’ sophisticated cousin – milder and sweeter. Can’t find one? Half a regular onion will work just fine.

Chicken or Vegetable Broth

Quarter cup to help the sauce come together without being too thick or gloppy.

Cornstarch

One teaspoon mixed with a tablespoon of cold water. This little trick thickens everything up without making it weird and pasty.

Butter (optional)

One tablespoon at the end makes everything glossy and restaurant-fancy. Skip it if you want, but honestly, life’s too short not to add the butter.

Make It with Simple Steps

Step 1

Before starting to cook, take your meat out of the fridge and let it come to the normal temperature. While waiting, let’s make your oven 4o0 degrees Fahrenheit. Then season your pork with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs you picked.  

Step 2

Heat your olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. After that, lay the pork and let it sizzle. Make sure to sizzle each side for 2-3 minutes until it becomes a golden crust. 

Step 3

Now slide that skillet into the oven and set the timer for 20 minutes. Here, you have to ensure the internal temperature is 140 degrees. Therefore, you will get perfectly cooked pork. 

Step 4

Since our pork is ready, let’s keep it aside and focus on making the sauce. Using the same skillet, turn the stove heat to medium. Now toss your chopped shallot and let it cook for 2  minutes. 

Step 5

Finally, dump your blueberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and broth. After cooking it for 5-8 minutes, you will see the berries start popping and releasing all their juices. At this point, toss the rosemary in it. Stir it properly, and you can add cornstarch to make the sauce thicker and simmer it for a couple of minutes. 

Let’s slice up the pork and pour your freshly made sauce all over the meat. 

Serving Suggestion

There is a crying urge for a side dish to make this dinner complete. And here are some suggestions that you can adapt to make your dinner enjoyable. 

Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes are made for soaking up every drop of that blueberry goodness. It’s comfort food heaven.

Roasted Vegetables

While pork meat fulfills your protein intake, you can have some vegetables to enjoy a complete dinner. In this case, Brussels sprouts or carrots go well. Especially if you use the sauce here as well. 

Rice or Crusty Bread

If you need some carbs, then having rice or bread will also work well with this pork loin. 

Pro Tips

Here’s what I wish someone had told me the first time I made this:

1. The pork keeps cooking even after you take it out, so don’t go crazy with the oven time. 
2. Frozen blueberries are your friend. They’re cheaper, available year-round, and they break down beautifully in the sauce.

Final Thoughts

That was all about how to make pork loin with blueberry sauce. Well, if you don’t have time, you can use store-bought sauce here to skip the long process. However, the best flavor and taste come from the freshly made sauce for your beautiful pork loin. So, I recommend cooking the sauce too. Also, you should have some side dishes like mashed potatoes to enjoy a better dinner. 

FAQS

What Are the Best Sides With Pork and Blueberry Sauce?

Usually, mashed potato is the best side dish for pork loin with blueberry sauce. However, you can have roasted vegetables or plain rice as side dishes too. 

Can You Freeze Blueberry Sauce for Pork?

Yes, if you wish to use the sauce for later, that can be a good idea. But the best taste you can get from the freshly cooked sauce is for sure. 

What Berries Go Well With Pork Loin?

Fresh berries are always better, but you can use frozen blueberries, too.