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!
People often ask me how long to boil pork loin to get the best results because I like to try out different cuts of pork. You can boil, roast, grill, or sauté this cut of meat, but boiling is one of the easiest ways to cook it. It yields incredibly tender, juicy pork loin with minimal effort. After a lot of trial and error in the kitchen, I’ve found the best ways to cook boiled pork loin.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my tips and tricks to help you master the art of boiling pork loin. You’ll learn about choosing the right size loin, preparing it for cooking, determining doneness, and recipe variations to take your boiled pork game to the next level Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Pork Loin for Boiling
Here are some different cuts of pork loin that you’ll need to choose before you boil it. Here are the best options:
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Center-cut pork loin – This is from the middle of the loin and contains the most tender meat. It’s ideal for boiling.
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Whole pork loin – Often sold as a full roast this can be cut into pieces for boiling. Look for 3-4 lbs.
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Pork tenderloin – The small, tapered tenderloin cooks fast and boils wonderfully.
Avoid the sirloin end of the pork loin, as it has more connective tissue and can get tough when boiled. Focus on the center-cut or tenderloin for the most succulent texture
Preparing Pork Loin for Boiling
Before cooking, it’s important to properly prepare the pork loin:
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Trim excess fat and silver skin – This will prevent the boiled loin from tasting greasy.
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Cut into chunks – For even cooking, cut the loin into 2-3″ pieces.
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Pat dry – Blot with paper towels to remove moisture for better browning.
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Season generously – Rub salt, pepper and spices or herbs over the pork.
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Coat with flour (optional) – For flavorful broth, dredge chunks in flour before boiling.
These simple steps set you up for tender, flavorful boiled pork loin every time. Now let’s focus on the cooking method.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Boiling Pork Loin
Follow these straightforward steps for foolproof boiled pork loin:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pork loin, cut into 2-3″ chunks
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
Directions:
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Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
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Brown the pork chunks for 1-2 minutes per side to build flavor.
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Add broth, onion, garlic and bay leaves. Bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes per pound of pork.
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Check internal temperature, aiming for 145°F for medium or 160°F for well done.
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Remove pork from pot, tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before serving.
This straightforward boiling method results in irresistibly tender and juicy pork loin every time. The key is gradually simmering the meat once the pot comes to a boil.
If your pork loin is 1.5 lbs, it will need to simmer for 35-45 minutes. For a 3 lb roast, plan on 75-90 minutes of gentle boiling to reach the ideal internal temperature. Use an instant read thermometer to eliminate guesswork and prevent overcooking.
Testing the Pork Loin for Doneness
Speaking of thermometers, these handy devices are the most reliable way to determine when boiled pork loin is ready. Here’s what to look for:
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145°F – Pork just starts to turn from pink to white. Result is tender and juicy.
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160°F – Pork is white throughout. Meat will be firmer but still moist.
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170°F – Pork is well done and drier. Try to avoid surpassing 170°F.
For food safety, the USDA recommends boiling pork to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F with a 3 minute rest time. This results in a hint of pink color but provides ideal tenderness.
If you prefer fully cooked pork, aim for 160°F. Just be careful not to boil much beyond that or the meat will dry out. Use your thermometer and follow the suggested cooking times in this guide for perfect boiled pork loin.
Flavorful Variations for Boiled Pork Loin
Plain boiled pork loin is tasty, but experimenting with different seasonings can take it to the next level. Here are some of my favorite ways to impart big, bold flavors:
Mexican Style: Broth seasoned with chili powder, cumin, garlic, oregano. Top with avocado, salsa.
Italian Herbs: Broth with rosemary, thyme, sage, fennel. Toss with pasta.
Asian Inspired: Broth with ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic. Garnish with scallions.
BBQ Pork: Broth with Chili sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic. Shred for sandwiches.
Cajun Spice: Broth with cayenne, paprika, thyme, bay leaves, garlic. Serve over dirty rice.
Let your imagination run wild with global spice blends, freshly chopped herbs, tangy sauces, and bold aromatics like garlic and onions. The broth will absorb all the flavors as the pork gently simmers.
Serving Suggestions for Fork-Tender Pork Loin
Boiled pork loin is incredibly versatile. Beyond eating it straight from the pot, here are some tasty ways to serve this succulent meat:
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Slice and pile on sandwiches or tacos
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Shred and toss with barbecue sauce
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Dice and add to soups or stews
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Pair with hearty sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta
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Chop and use in egg scrambles or breakfast hash
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Slice thinly for quick pork stir fries with veggies
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Pile on salads for a protein packed meal
However you choose to use it, boiled pork loin is the perfect quick-cooking staple to keep on hand. I like to boil a few pounds on the weekend to use in meals all week long. It stores great in the fridge or freezer.
Perfectly Tender Boiled Pork Loin is in Your Reach
As you can see, boiling pork loin results in incredibly moist, succulent meat when you follow the tips in this guide. Choosing the right cut, seasoning generously, simmering low and slow, and using a thermometer are keys to success.
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!.
Pork Tenderloin Basics
FAQ
How long does it take to boil pork?
How do you know when boiled pork is cooked?
Does pork get tougher the longer you boil it?
Can you over boil pork loin?
How long do you boil a pork tenderloin?
The rest of the boiling procedure should be done on low heat. This should continue for at least 40 minutes to allow the pork and vegetables to cook properly and reach an adequate texture. After 40 minutes, it is appropriate to test your pork meat for readiness with a knife. It should be tender and should be easy to cut.
How long does it take to cook a pork tenderloin?
The average cooking time is around one hour, but it highly depends on the weight of the meat you’re boiling. It also depends on the pork cut you’re using, because some of them become tender and cook rapidly compared to others.
How to cook a pork loin?
The first thing you should do in preparing your pork loin is to defrost, if necessary. This way, your cooking time will be significantly reduced. Prepare your boiling pan with sufficient water to cover two or three times the amount of meat you are going to prepare. For 1 kilogram of pork, we recommend around 2.5 liters of water.