How Much Does a Whole Pork Loin Weigh?

Pork loin is a popular and versatile cut of meat from the pig. But if you’re cooking a whole pork loin roast, how heavy should you expect it to be? Let’s break down the typical weight range.

Where the Pork Loin Comes From

The pork loin comes from the top center section of the pig, running from the shoulder back to the hip area. It sits above the belly and ribs along the backbone.

This cylindrical muscle does little work, so it tends to be very tender and lean. It can be cut into individual chops or left whole for roasting.

Common Pork Loin Sizes

Whole pork loins are sold boneless or bone-in. The weight can vary quite a bit based on the size of the pig and how it was butchered. Here are some common size ranges

• Boneless pork loin – Typically weighs between 3 to 8 pounds. The average boneless loin is around 5 pounds.

• Bone-in pork loin – Usually ranges from 5 to 12 pounds, Expect an average weight of 8 to 10 pounds for bone-in

• Half loin – If you buy just half a loin, it’s commonly 2 to 5 pounds boneless or 3 to 6 pounds bone-in.

• Double loin – Some large pigs produce “double loins” which can be 10 to 16 pounds total. This is essentially two whole loins connected.

As you can see, whole pork loin sizes cover a wide spectrum. In most retail settings, plan for an average of around 5 pounds for boneless or 8 pounds for bone-in.

Factors Affecting Pork Loin Weight

Several factors impact just how hefty a pork loin will be:

• Breed – Some heritage hog breeds naturally produce larger and meatier loins.

• Diet – Lean protein-rich diets can increase muscle growth and size.

• Gender – Castrated male hogs tend to grow bigger than females.

• Age – Older mature hogs will have larger loins than piglets. Most are butchered around 6 months.

• Butchery – The specific location and technique of loin separation affects size.

• Enhancements – Enhanced pork loins are injected with broth to increase moistness and weight.

• Portion – Buying a half loin vs whole loin significantly affects poundage.

As a consumer, the breed, diet, age, and farming practices are hard to determine. But you can look for labeling clues on enhancements, portion size, and bone status to gauge potential weight.

Average Roasted Pork Loin Weights

If you’re purchasing a pork loin to roast in the oven, these are some common sizes to expect after roasting:

• A 3 to 4 pound half boneless loin will yield around 2 to 2.5 pounds roasted.

• A 5 to 7 pound whole boneless loin will yield 3 to 4 pounds roasted.

• An 8 to 10 pound bone-in loin will yield around 5 to 6 pounds roasted.

Bone-in roasts will have more waste from the bones while boneless fillets have almost no waste. Also, enhanced pork loins will shrink less than all-natural loins which can lose up to 25% of their initial weight.

Buying the Right Size

How much pork loin you need depends on your recipe and number of servings. Here are some tips:

• For 4 to 6 people, a 2 to 3 pound half loin is sufficient.

• For 6 to 8 people, choose a 4 to 6 pound bone-in or boneless whole loin.

• For holidays or big gatherings, pick a double pork loin in the 10 to 15 pound range.

• Allow 4 to 8 ounces per person for hearty appetites.

• Pick a bigger, fatter loin for tons of leftovers.

• Get two smaller loins for more surface seasoning flavors.

No matter what size you choose, always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F for safe, juicy pork loin perfection.

Typical Pork Loin Costs

Expect to pay around $7 to $12 per pound for fresh pork loin. So a common 5 pound boneless loin will cost $35 to $60 total. Here are some more pork loin price estimates:

• Boneless half loin (2-3 lbs) – $14 to $36
• Boneless whole loin (5-7 lbs) – $35 to $84
• Bone-in whole loin (8-10 lbs) – $56 to $120

Watch for sales around major holidays when pork loin roast is in high demand. Also look for enhancements and thicker back fat layers to maximize value.

A whole pork loin can weigh anywhere from 3 to 16 pounds, but 5 to 10 pounds is typical. Consider the bone status, enhancements, portion size, and number of people eating. Also allow for 25% cooking loss for boneless or 15% loss for bone-in. With the right size pork loin, you’ll yield perfect juicy results.