The BEST Roasted Pork Loin Recipe | How to Cook Pork Loin (2024)

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Katerina

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This Honey Garlic Glazed Pork Loin Roast is hands down the BEST pork loin recipe. If you’re wondering how to cook pork loin, this easy method makes juicy, fork tender pork loin. Just rub with spices, smother with glaze, and roast until done!

The BEST Roasted Pork Loin Recipe | How to Cook Pork Loin (2)

    Easy Pork Loin Roast Recipe

    Are you ready to make succulent roasted pork loin? Prepared with a simple spice rub, plus a honey-dijon garlic sauce, this simple recipe makes tender, flavorful pork loin that will have everyone coming back for more and more. I like to add seasonal veggies, like Brussels sprouts and butternut squash, to make it a complete meal, all in just one pan.

    In this household, we love everything about pork. From pork chops to pork tenderloin, we don’t discriminate. Just bring it ON! My favorite, however, is a simple oven method pork roast that takes minutes to prep, while the oven does most of the work.

    This Pork Loin Roast Recipe creates a perfectly tender meat that is so full of flavor, and it honestly couldn’t be any easier to make.

    Why You’ll Love this Pork Loin Recipe

    • Easy. You won’t need any fancy tools or complicated ingredients to make this simple pork loin recipe. This is down-home cozy goodness at its best.
    • Flavorful. Looking for a dinner idea you can be sure everyone will devour? This is it. Every tender bite of roasted pork loin is moist and packed with flavor.
    • A complete meal. Since the pork is roasted along with veggies, you don’t need to make anything else to go along with this recipe. It’s the main course and a healthy side dish in one!
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    Pork Loin vs. Pork Tenderloin

    Pork loin and pork tenderloin are not the same thing (even though the names are nearly identical). They actually represent two different cuts of meat.

    • Tenderloin: A pork tenderloin is a long, narrow, boneless cut of meat that comes from a muscle that runs along the backbone of the pig. If you want to cook pork tenderloin, check out my garlic roast pork tenderloin recipe.
    • Loin: By contrast, a pork loin is wider and flatter. It can be boneless or bone-in.
    • For this recipe, we are using boneless PORK LOIN.
    The BEST Roasted Pork Loin Recipe | How to Cook Pork Loin (4)

    How to Cook Pork Loin

    Are you ready to cook up a delicious pork dinner? Here’s how to make the best pork loin roast ever:

    • Make the spice rub. We are going to start with making a dry rub by combining salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub that all over the pork loin.
    • Sear the meat. Heat some oil in a large skillet and sear the meat, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set pork (fat side UP) on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.
    • Make the honey glazed. Stir together some honey, dijon mustard, garlic, soy sauce, and olive oil. Reserve two tablespoons of the sauce for the veggies, and brush the rest of the sauce over the pork.
    • Roast for 25 minutes at 375˚F.
    • In the meantime, prepare the veggies. Cut the butternut squash into 1-inch cubes and cut the brussels sprouts in half.Toss veggies with reserved sauce.
    • Add the veggies to the pork. Take pork out of the oven; add veggies all around it in one layer, tent pork with foil, then continue to cook for 30 more minutes, or until internal temperature of the pork loin reaches 145˚F. Use an Instant Read Thermometer to check for doneness.
    • Give the veggies a stir half-way through cooking.
    • Rest. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes before cutting. This helps lock in the juices.
    • Cut and serve!

    How Long Does it Take to Cook Pork Loin?

    Keep in mind that time will vary depending on the size of the roast. In this recipe, we’re working with a 3-pound pork loin, which needs about 50 to 60 minutes in a 375˚F oven. That comes out to roughly around 20-minutes per pound. Some ovens may need few minutes longer than that.

    At What Temp is Pork Loin Done?

    The National Pork Board recommends cooking pork loin to an internal temperature of 145° F (62°C). Use an Instant Read Thermometer to check for doneness. Once your pork loin as reached the proper temperature allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes.

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    Can I Make This Recipe Ahead?

    Yes! You can prepare this recipe in advance, which is perfect for Sunday suppers and even busy weeknights. Here’s how to do it:

    • Season the pork, sear it, put it in the baking pan and pour the sauce over it.
    • Cover and keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
    • Continue with roasting as directed.

    Can I Cook Pork Loin in My Slow Cooker?

    This pork loin recipe can also be made in the slow cooker! If you want to cook your pork loin in the slow cooker, here’s how:

    • Season the pork, sear it, and place it in the slow cooker.
    • Pour prepared sauce over it; cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours to 6 hours.
    • Check for doneness with an Instant Read Thermometer; it should register at 145˚F when done.
    The BEST Roasted Pork Loin Recipe | How to Cook Pork Loin (6)

    What Goes with Pork Loin Roast?

    There are so many things you can serve with roasted pork loin – all of them delicious! My personal favorites are smashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower. Since this pork loin recipe already includes vegetables, adding even one side makes a feast!

    How to Use Pork Leftovers

    • I love using leftover pork loin to make burritos and tacos, or even sandwiches with thick slices of bread. Sometimes I’ll even warm my sandwich in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese!

    How to Store and Reheat Extras

    • Leftover pork loin can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen in a freezer-safe container for 3 months.

    More Pork Recipes to Try

    • Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Asparagus
    • Baked Pork Chops and Potatoes Sheet Pan Dinner
    • Easy Honey Garlic Baked Pork Chops
    • Apple Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin

    ENJOY!

    The BEST Roasted Pork Loin Recipe | How to Cook Pork Loin (7)

    Tender and Juicy Pork Loin Roast Recipe

    Katerina | Diethood

    ThisHoney Garlic Glazed Pork Roastrecipeis hands down the BEST. If you're wondering how to cook pork loin, this easy recipe makes juicy, fork tender pork loin.

    4.78 from 1280 votes

    Rate this Recipe!

    Servings : 8 serves

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

    Prep Time 15 minutes mins

    Cook Time 1 hour hr

    Resting Time 10 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    FOR THE PORK LOIN

    • 3- pound pork loin
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    FOR THE SPICE RUB

    • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
    • salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

    FOR THE HONEY GARLIC GLAZE

    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1/4 cup honey
    • 3 tablespoons low-sodium gluten free soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    FOR THE VEGETABLES

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 pound brussels sprouts, cut in half
    • 1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeds cleaned out, and cut into 1-inch cubes (you can also buy pre-cut butternut squash)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and set aside. Pat dry pork loin with paper towels.

    • In a small mixing bowl combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.

    • Lightly spray pork loin with cooking spray. This will make it easier for the spice mix to stick.

    • Take the spice mix and rub it all over the pork loin.

    • Heat olive oil over medium heat and sear the pork loin until browned on all sides; about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer pork loin to previously prepared baking sheet, fat-layer side up; set aside.

    • In a bowl, combine garlic, honey, soy sauce, mustard and oil; whisk until well combined. If too thick, add a bit more oil or soy sauce. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the sauce to use for the vegetables.

    • Brush remaining honey mixture over the pork loin. Roast for 25 minutes.

    • In the meantime, toss the vegetables with a tablespoon of olive oil and the reserved honey mixture. Pull pork roast out of the oven and add the vegetables all around it in one layer.

    • Tent a piece of foil over the pork so the top doesn't burn, but the inside continues to cook. Put back in the oven and continue to cook for 25 to 30 more minutes, or until internal temperature of the pork loin reaches 145˚F. Use an Instant Read Thermometer to check for doneness. Stir vegetables half way through cooking.

    • Remove baking sheet from oven and loosely cover meat and veggies with foil; let rest 10 minutes. Cut the pork in slices and serve with veggies.

    Notes

    SLOW COOKER PORK LOIN
    • Season the pork, sear it, and place it in the slow cooker.
    • Pour prepared sauce over it; cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours.
    HOW TO MAKE AHEAD
    • Season the pork, sear it, put it in the baking pan and pour the sauce over it.
    • Cover and keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
    • Continue with roasting as directed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 347 kcal | Carbohydrates: 22 g | Protein: 41 g | Fat: 11 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Cholesterol: 107 mg | Sodium: 322 mg | Potassium: 1089 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 11 g | Vitamin A: 6578 IU | Vitamin C: 61 mg | Calcium: 62 mg | Iron: 2 mg

    Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

    Course: Dinner

    Cuisine: American

    Keyword: how to cook pork loin, pork loin in oven, pork loin recipe, pork loin roast recipe

    Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

    Categories:

    • Christmas
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Holidays
    • One Pot Meals
    • Pork Recipes
    • Thanksgiving
    The BEST Roasted Pork Loin Recipe | How to Cook Pork Loin (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the best cooking method for loin? ›

    CG: Roasting is the most natural way to cook a pork loin, and it's the easiest and the quickest to get into the oven. I like to sear the outside and then roast it, or you can just roast it as is. The indirect method of cooking preserves pork loin's inherent juiciness and tenderness.

    How do you cook a pork loin so it doesn't dry out? ›

    Grilling
    1. First, use a high-heat area to quickly brown the meat on all sides. ...
    2. Next, move the loin to a low-heat area of the grill and cover it with foil.
    3. Now, you can roast the pork using indirect cooking for approximately one to one and a half hours, or about 20 minutes per pound of meat.
    Oct 3, 2023

    Should pork loin be seared before roasting? ›

    Skipping a pan sear before roasting all but guarantees you'll miss out on the former. Sear and roast in the same pan: A cast iron skillet mitigates the “one more pan to wash concern” since you can sear the pork loin roast in it, add some aromatics like onions and apples, and then roast the whole thing in the oven.

    What temperature should pork loin roast be cooked at? ›

    A good rule of thumb is to cook pork loin 25 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), so use a thermometer to know when it's done. You'll want to let your pork loin rest at least three minutes before serving.

    Is it better to cook pork loin fast or slow? ›

    Pork loin should be slow slow-roasted in order to become tender. It should not be cooked quickly or roasted at high temperatures. Pork tenderloin cooks quite quickly at higher temperatures, anywhere from 350 degrees to 425 degrees F.

    Does pork loin get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

    At 400 degrees F, a 1-pound pork tenderloin will cook in 8 to 10 minutes after being seared on the stove. Unlike tough, fatty cuts of meat (like the shoulder used for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork), leaner cuts like pork tenderloin do not become more tender the longer they cook.

    Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? ›

    Cooking a pork loin at 400°F will give a nice crust and cook it faster, reducing the risk of drying out. If using 350°F, cooking will take longer but be gentler, helping retain moisture. Either way, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F, then rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

    What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin? ›

    While pork loin offers a larger size, robust flavor, and versatility in cooking methods, pork tenderloin boasts tenderness, lean meat, and a milder taste.

    How to make pork extremely tender? ›

    To tenderize pork before cooking it, try breaking up the tough muscle by hitting it with a meat mallet evenly across the surface of the meat. Then, if you want your pork to be extra tender, you can marinate it in a tenderizing marinade made with acids, like citrus juices, vinegar, or wine.

    Should you oil pork before roasting? ›

    Drizzle the olive oil over the pork rind and the meat, rubbing it in with your fingers for best results (if you need more oil, add more). Season the rind with a generous amount of sea salt (about 1 tablespoon). Transfer pork to a roasting dish and roast for 50 minutes, or until the rind crackles.

    Do you roast a pork loin fat side up or down? ›

    Step 4: Place your pork, fat side up, in your prepared pan. Step 5: Add oiled/seasoned vegetables around your pork loin to make it a complete meal. Use vegetables that require longer cook times like potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and carrots. Step 6: Roast in a 400 F oven for 15 minutes.

    Do you season pork before or after searing? ›

    But really, it takes no extra effort, just some forethought. And so I will always season lamb shanks the day before they go into the braise. I will try to season chickens the day before, but if I don't have the chance, I won't sweat it; and I will season steaks and pork roasts right before searing.

    What temp is pork loin most tender? ›

    Because of this, the USDA suggests cooking it to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the same temperature for every variation of pork you might choose from pork tenderloin to shoulder.

    How long to bake a pork loin at 400 degrees? ›

    Bake at 400 degrees F until pork registers between 145- and 150-degrees F (63 and 65 degrees C) at the thickest part of the tenderloin, 15-25 minutes depending on thickness. This means the pork will be juicy and slightly pink in the middle.

    How long to cook 1 pound pork tenderloin in the oven at 350 degrees? ›

    From oven oven-roasting to grilling, here's a quick guide to cooking times: How long to cook pork tenderloin in oven at 350°F: Placed in a baking dish and cooked uncovered, a pork tenderloin will take around 20-27 minutes at 350°F.

    Which cooking method is best for loin chops? ›

    Common methods for cooking a pork chop include grilling and baking, both of which can work well, but we believe they are best pan-roasted over high heat or barbecued. Choose a bone-in chop wherever possible – the bone toils to prevent the chop from drying out and infuses the meat with a greater depth of flavour.

    Which cooking method is best for tenderloin? ›

    One of the easiest methods of cooking Beef Tenderloin is in the oven. With minimal prep and our easy-to-follow guidelines, you'll present a juicy and tasty roast to guests in no time. For best results, make sure the Tenderloin roast is completely thawed.

    What are the cooking methods for short loin? ›

    The loin is best cooked with dry heat as too much moisture will make the meat tough. Recommended cooking methods include a broiler, a grill, or a pan. The short loin sections can be cooked in thick or thin cuts and will remain fairly tender from rare to well-done.

    Is pork loin tough or tender? ›

    The meat in a pork loin is light-colored, resulting in a pale pink or white color when it's cooked through. It has a mild flavor, and the fat cap keeps the meat moist as it cooks. When cooked properly, pork loin is juicy and tender.

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