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!
For many home cooks, preparing a beautifully roasted pork loin can feel daunting. How long should you cook it for? What temperature? How do you know when it’s done? Have no fear – in this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook pork loin to juicy, flavorful perfection every time.
How Many Minutes Per Pound for Pork Loin?
The most important factor in determining pork loin cook time is the size and thickness of the cut. As a general guideline:
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Cook pork loin for 25 minutes per pound at 350°F
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For a 3-5 lb roast. plan on 75-125 minutes total time
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For a 6-8 lb roast, plan on 150-200 minutes total time
However, there are a few factors that can alter cook time:
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Bone-in vs Boneless – Bone-in roasts take slightly longer
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Oven Temperature – Lower temp = longer cook time
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Doneness Preference – Cook 5-10 mins less for pink center
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Meat Thermometer – Most accurate way to assess doneness
While the minutes per pound estimate is helpful, always rely on a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked pork loin.
Pork Loin Cut and Size Guide
To determine the best cooking time, it helps to understand the different cuts and sizes of pork loin available.
Types of Pork Loin Cuts
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Bone-in loin roast – Includes part of the backbone and ribs
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Boneless loin roast – The boneless middle section of the loin
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Pork loin chops – Cut from the boneless loin into 1-2 inch chops
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Pork tenderloin – Smaller, extra tender cylindrical cut
Bone-in cuts are larger and take more time to cook through. Boneless cuts cook faster since the meat is thinner and more uniform.
Sizes to Expect
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Small roast – 2-3 lbs (feeds 2-4)
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Standard roast – 3-5 lbs (feeds 4-6)
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Large roast – 6-8 lbs (feeds 6-10)
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Jumbo roast – 8-10 lbs (feeds 8-12)
For small tenderloins under 2 lbs, reduce cook time slightly. Larger roasts over 8 lbs may need extra time.
Choosing Your Cooking Method
While roasting is most common for pork loin, you can also braise, grill, or cook in a slow cooker. Here’s how to adapt cooking times:
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Oven Roasting – The simplest method. Cook 25 mins per lb at 350°F.
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Braising – Brown pork loin, then braise in sauce for up to 2 hours until tender.
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Grilling – Grill over medium heat for 8-12 minutes per side. Use 10 mins per lb as guide.
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Slow Cooker – Cook 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Use thermometer to check.
No matter which cooking method you use, rely on a meat thermometer for the best results. This guarantees your pork cooks to a safe internal temperature.
Recommended Temps and Times
To ensure moist, flavorful pork loin, follow these recommended temps and times:
Cook to 145°F for slightly pink center
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3-5 lb roast – 18-23 minutes per lb
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6-8 lb roast – 8-11 minutes per lb
Cook to 160°F for well done
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3-5 lb roast – 20-25 minutes per lb
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8-10 lb roast – 11-15 minutes per lb
Always let pork rest at least 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. The temp will rise another 5°F-10°F during resting.
5 Tips for Perfectly Cooked Pork Loin
Follow these top tips for foolproof, juicy pork loin every time:
1. Trim Excess Fat
This lean cut doesn’t need much external fat, so trim to 1⁄4 inch. Leaves just enough for flavor.
2. Brine for Added Moisture
Soaking in a saltwater brine ensures seasoned, tender meat.
3. Sear Before Roasting
Browning the outside over high heat seals in meat juices.
4. Roast Uncovered
Uncovered roasting promotes even browning and moisture evaporation.
5. Let Rest 10-15 Minutes
Allows juices to redistribute so meat stays succulent when sliced.
How to Tell When Pork Loin is Done
Checking temperature with a meat thermometer is the only surefire way to know your pork is cooked to perfection.
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Insert thermometer into thickest part, away from bone, fat, or gristle.
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For medium doneness, cook to 145°F. Thermometer should read 140°F – 150°F when done.
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For well done, cook to 160°F. Thermometer should read 155°F – 165°F.
Let pork rest until it reaches the final target temperature. The temp will continue rising as it sits.
Why Resting Is Key for Juicy Pork
Allowing the pork to rest before slicing is crucial for optimizing moisture and texture. Here’s why it matters:
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Allows juices to redistribute into the meat fibers.
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Gives proteins time to relax after cooking.
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Results in up to 10% increase in juiciness.
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Prevents juices from spilling out when sliced.
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Forms more complex flavors during resting period.
For ideal results, let pork rest for a minimum of 5 minutes, up to 15 for larger roasts. Keep pork loosely tented in foil during resting to keep warm. Then slice and serve your incredibly juicy, delicious pork loin roast!
The Takeaway
Perfectly cooked pork loin requires selecting the right size cut, understanding how to adapt cooking times for different methods, and properly resting before serving. For most roasts, allow 25 minutes per pound at 350°F. But for guaranteed succulent results, always rely on a meat thermometer and rest pork for at least 5-10 minutes before enjoying. Follow these tips for fork-tender pork loin your guests will rave about.
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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 should a pork loin be cooked per pound?
Is it better to cook a pork tenderloin at 350 or 400?
How long to cook a 1 lb pork tenderloin at 350 degrees?
How long to smoke a 7 pound pork loin?
How long to cook a 3 lb Pork loin?
Let’s examine how long to cook your pork loin in the oven, after all, a big part in making the best pork roast recipe is the time in the oven. Based on a 3 lb pork loin roast at 325 degrees, it will take approximately 60 minutes to cook in the oven.
How long do you cook a pork loin roast?
The cooking time for a pork loin roast can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the roast, the temperature of your oven, and your preferred level of doneness. As a general rule, the National Pork Board recommends cooking pork loin roasts for 20-25 minutes per pound at 350°F.
How long does a boneless pork loin Tenderloin take to cook?
A 1.5lb pork loin tenderloin boneless chunk of meat will require less time in the oven than a larger cut of meat. In general, boneless pork loin needs to cook for 20-25 minutes per pound of meat. It’s also important to note that the temperature of your oven can affect cooking time.
How long do you cook a pound of pork?
Preheat your grill to high and season the pork with salt and pepper. Grill the pork for 18-20 minutes per pound, flipping once halfway through until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Slow-cooking is a great option if you want tender and juicy pork loin that falls apart easily.