Perfectly Moist Pork Loin is the BEST recipe for “set it and forget it”! It’s simple to prepare, quick to cook, and tastes great.
Do you have reluctant pork eaters in your family? We definitely did. My boys wouldn’t eat any pork that wasn’t covered in BBQ sauce, like these Honey BBQ Pork Chops, which are a family favorite! That was until we crafted up this Perfectly Moist Pork Loin recipe.
Now my family is requesting pork nearly every week (without any BBQ sauce in sight). When I say this easy pork loin is moist, I mean it. It is tasty, juicy, and tender pork. It’s the perfect main dish for your hungry family!.
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Pork. It can be SO SO good, or it can be SO SO meh. To cook a pork loin that isn’t dry, bland, and tough, you really do need a good recipe. Don’t believe me? I’ve cooked a lot of bland pork roasts and dry pork chops already.
Things have changed here in the Real Housemoms kitchen though – pork is no longer bland and boring. Pork is my favorite meat to cook with. My husband loves it, my kids beg for it, and I love how simple it really can be!.
This pork loin roast recipe is great because it’s simple and everyone will love it, even picky eaters. The flavor palate is simple – garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil. You wouldn’t believe how well those few ingredients could work together to make a delicious meal that the whole family would love. All it takes is a sprinkle of seasoning and a few hours in the oven.
Perfectly Moist Pork Loin is a family favorite for all seasons. In the fall, pork and apples go well together, so I’ll cook a pork loin and serve it with my famous baked apples.
During the winter, it goes great with warm, creamy mashed potatoes (you need to try these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes).
I also serve pork loin roast with chilled pasta salads when the weather gets warmer in the spring and summer. This Pesto Pasta Salad is perfect for that!
Pork roast is a classic main dish that can feed a crowd or provide leftovers for days. While pork roast may seem intimidating to cook it’s actually quite simple. The key is selecting the right cut of pork and understanding how long to cook it. In this article we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook a perfect center cut pork roast.
Selecting the Right Cut of Pork
The first step is choosing the right cut of pork for roasting. The best option is a center cut pork loin roast, also called a center rib roast or center cut pork roast. This comes from the loin section of the pig. It’s one of the leanest cuts of pork.
Center cut pork roasts contain a rib bone and are cylindrical in shape. They range from 2 to 4 pounds in size. The bone helps the meat retain moisture as it cooks. The center cut also has a good distribution of fat, which keeps the roast tender and flavorful.
Other pork roast options like a shoulder roast have more fat and connective tissue. This requires longer cooking times. The extra fat also means more shrinkage. A center cut is your best choice for a flavorful roast that cooks up moist and tender.
Determining Cook Time for a Center Cut Pork Roast
So how long should you cook a center cut pork roast? The cooking time depends on a few factors
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Weight – A 2 pound roast takes less time than a 4 pound one. Plan for 15-20 minutes per pound.
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Cooking method – The oven temperature and whether you use a cooking bag or not impacts total cook time.
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Doneness – Roasts are safe when cooked to 145°F but many prefer 155°F for ideal juiciness.
Here are some general guidelines for center cut pork roast cook times
- 2 pound roast
- 325°F oven: 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
- 350°F oven: 50 to 70 minutes
- 3 pound roast
- 325°F oven: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes
- 350°F oven: 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes
- 4 pound roast
- 325°F oven: 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours
- 350°F oven: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes
The best way to ensure your pork roast is perfectly cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the roast, avoiding the bone.
As a general rule, cook the pork to 145°F for safe but slightly pink pork or 155°F for fully cooked pork. Once it reaches your target temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. The temperature will rise 5-10 degrees during this time, finishing off the cooking process.
Seasoning a Pork Roast for Maximum Flavor
One of the great things about a center cut pork roast is that it provides a neutral canvas for all sorts of flavored seasonings and rubs. Consider these options:
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Dry rub – Coat the roast evenly with a dry seasoning blend. Try garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, pepper, and a little brown sugar. The sugar will caramelize as it cooks.
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Wet marinade – Soak the pork in a flavorful marinade for 1-2 hours before cooking. Apple cider vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, and rosemary make a tasty combo.
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Herb paste – Blend fresh herbs like parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme into a paste with olive oil, garlic, and Dijon. Spread evenly over the roast.
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Spice and herb crust – Formed a crust on the roast by pressing chopped fresh rosemary and thyme leaves, fennel seeds, salt and pepper into the meat.
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Fruit compotes – Fill the crevice where the bone was removed with softened fruit like apricots, figs or prunes. The meat will absorb the sweet flavors as the fruit caramelizes.
Don’t be afraid to get creative! Pork pairs well with sweet, savory and spicy flavors.
Cooking Methods for Pork Roast Perfection
Beyond choosing a seasoning, the cooking method impacts how moist, tender and flavorful your pork roast turns out. Here are some top cooking techniques:
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High heat roasting – Roast at 350-375°F to brown the exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
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Low and slow roasting – Cook at 325°F for very tender, fall-apart meat. Perfect for larger roasts.
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On a bed of vegetables – Place pork on top of onions, carrots, fennel or potatoes to add flavor.
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In a cooking bag – The bag keeps all the moisture in for very succulent pork. Add seasonings inside the bag.
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Grilling – Ideal for 2 pound roasts. Cook over indirect heat, turning to brown all sides.
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Smoking – For ultimate flavor, cook low and slow in a smoker at 225-250°F until tender.
The options are endless when cooking pork roast! Experiment to find your favorite techniques.
Serving and Leftover Ideas
A center cut pork loin roast feeds a crowd! We love serving ours with classic side dishes like:
- Garlic mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes
- Herb stuffing or cornbread stuffing
- Glazed carrots or roasted Brussels sprouts
- Dinner rolls and butter
Leftover pork roast also makes amazing meals throughout the week. Try these ideas:
- Pork roast sandwiches with crispy onions and BBQ sauce
- Pork fried rice or burrito bowls
- Hearty pork roast soup with vegetables
- Pork roast tacos with pineapple salsa
With the right cut, seasoning and cook time, you can enjoy juicy, tender pork roast any night of the week. For best results, select a 2-4 pound center cut pork loin roast. Figure on cooking it for 15-20 minutes per pound at 325-350°F until it reaches 145-155°F internally. Add flavor with a spice rub, fresh herbs or marinade. Rest the roast before carving. Serve with classic side dishes and enjoy the leftovers in sandwiches, tacos, soups and more!
How to Cook Pork Loin
- Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. Even though the oven temperature will go down in the end, you start it off hot to really seal in the moisture on the outside of the pork loin!
- Next, sprinkle the pork with the spices (onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil). Do this on all sides. Make a small bowl of dry rub and put it on yourself. You can also use them one at a time. I like it better when it’s all mixed together before I put it on the meat. That way I know it’s being rubbed all over the roast evenly!
- Put the pork loin in the roasting pan with the fat side facing up. Putting the fat on top lets it baste the roast as it cooks. This step keeps the pork from getting tough and dry!
- Put the pork loin in an oven set to 400 degrees for 10 minutes. It will help make a “crust” on the meat that will keep the juices inside.
- Next, turn down the oven heat to 350 degrees F and cook the roast for another 20 minutes per pound of meat. Yes, it takes some time. But believe me, it’s worth the wait!.
- After the pork loin has reached 145 degrees F on the inside, take it out of the oven. After roasting the pork loin, set it aside for about 10 minutes with a piece of foil over it. Another very important step to keep the juices inside the meat where you want them to stay!! Patience is a virtue
When I make this pork loin roast recipe, my family comes running into the kitchen, almost begging for dinner to be ready. Someone or something about the long roasting time makes the whole house smell like delicious pork. My oldest son always says that the last 10 minutes of “rest” time for the meat seem like they last forever!
Ingredients for Perfectly Moist Pork Loin
- Boneless pork loin roast
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
When I went to the grocery store to buy meat, I felt a little lost because I had never cooked with pork before because I couldn’t make it taste good! There are SO MANY different cuts of pork. You can choose from pork chops, pork loin, and pork tenderloin (yes, they are different, who knew?). It can be hard to decide which cut to get.
For this recipe, you’ll want to purchase a pork LOIN. Not chops, not tenderloin. The pork loin is different from other meat cuts because it is wide enough to cut into big pieces and has a lot of fat on top.
During cooking, this layer of fat is very important because it helps keep the meat’s juices inside. That’s what makes it so moist!.
Boneless Pork Loin Roast Basics
FAQ
How long to cook center cut pork roast per pound?
What temperature do you cook center cut pork?
Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400?
How long do you cook pork in the oven at 350 degrees?