The Best Pork Loin Roast Recipe (2024)

Published: by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links

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You’ll love this Pork Loin Roast Recipe! It takes 10 minutes to prep, then bakes for an hour. Featuring garlic, rosemary and delicious pan juices dotted with caramelized onions, it brings a "wow" factor to Sunday dinners, holidays and even weeknights!

The Best Pork Loin Roast Recipe (1)

I’ll say it upfront: You need to add this juicy pork loin roast to your dinner rotation and make it for holidays.

It's stuffed with garlic and rosemary and emerges from the oven in a savory pool of butter, olive oil and pan juices dotted with caramelized onions.

Mamma Mia!

The aroma that fills your home will make you swoon. And wait until you taste it!

You're going to love this Italian pork roast. It's been my go-to recipe for years.

And don't miss these Quick Italian Pork Chops!

Recipe ingredients

The Best Pork Loin Roast Recipe (2)

Pork Loin: You'll need a three-pound, boneless pork loin roast for this recipe. It may be labeled as "center-cut pork loin roast."

Note, it's not the same as pork tenderloin, which is narrow and lean.

A pork loin roast is wider and flatter than pork tenderloin and comes with a thick layer of fat, called a "fat cap."

Rosemary: You can use fresh or dried rosemary. If using fresh rosemary, pluck the needles off of the stems until you have two or three tablespoons. If using dried rosemary, you'll just need 1 ½ teaspoons.

Rosemary goes wonderfully with pork, and I encourage you not to use a substitution. But...if you must, try sage, basil, tarragon or even oregano, if that's your thing.

Garlic: Use fresh garlic without green shoots. You'll chop it with the rosemary so this mixture can be tucked into slits in the pork for tremendous flavor. Oh yes, my friends!

Onion: You just need half of a medium onion. I prefer using a yellow onion here, but a sweet onion or a white onion also would work. You'll be adding it to the pan juices at the halfway point of baking, and it's going to bring the X factor to this recipe!

How to make a pork loin roast

See the card at the end of this post for the full recipe, but here's an overview. You also can watch the video of me making this in my kitchen!

The Best Pork Loin Roast Recipe (3)
  1. Peel the garlic and chop it finely with fresh rosemary. Stir to combine.
  2. Place butter in the baking pan and put it in the oven to melt.
  3. Cut slits along the surface of the pork roast and stuff them with the rosemary and garlic mixture. Place the stuffed pork loin on top of the melted butter in the pan. Season the roast and pour olive oil on it.
  4. Bake the pork uncovered for 30 minutes initially, then add chopped onions to the bottom of the pan. Place the roast back in the oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Recipe tips

  • Keep all or most of the layer of fat on the pork roast when you cook it, because it provides great flavor and prevents dryness. You can always trim the fat off before eating your serving.
  • Bake the roast with the fat cap on top. Some of the fat will melt into the meat, making it more juicy.
  • Let the roasted pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing it, so it will retain its juices.
  • Use a straight-edged chef's knife (affiliate link) to slice the roast so you'll get smooth pieces of meat. If you use a serrated knife with "teeth," it will tear up the pork as you slice it.
The Best Pork Loin Roast Recipe (4)

And then.

You’ll place your pork on your plate and spoon on that mouthwatering amber liquid from the bottom of the pan.

It. Is. Everything.

The Best Pork Loin Roast Recipe (5)

Are you drooling yet?

What to serve with pork loin

Some fresh Italian bread for dipping is mandatory, I’d say. You won’t want to waste those pan juices.

But, if you really want to take this meal over the top, serve the garlic-rosemary pork loin with these crispy, buttery Italian Roasted Potatoes, plus some sautéed rapini. Amazing!

For holidays, you could serve this after manicotti, along with the best Italian green salad, for a complete meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long should you cook pork loin in the oven?

Cook a pork loin until the internal temperature reaches between 145-160 degrees F. Use an instant meat thermometer(affiliate link) to check it. Then let the roast rest for at least three minutes.

There’s no need to overcook pork like in the old days, according to current USDA guidelines. A pale pink center is absolutely fine.

This recipe calls for baking the pork roast at 350 degrees F for an hour.

Can you stuff the pork loin roast ahead of time?

Yes, you can stuff the pork roast the night before you make it. Wrap it in plastic and keep it refrigerated. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you cook it.

More pork recipes

  • The Best Sausage and Peppers
  • Carolina Pulled Pork
  • Brown Sugar-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
  • Pork Scallopini with Mushrooms
  • Stuffed Pork with Cream Cheese
  • St. Louis BBQ Ribs

Enjoy!

If you make this pork loin, please leave a comment and a rating!

The Best Pork Loin Roast Recipe (6)

The Best Pork Loin Roast

You’ll love this pork roast with rosemary, garlic and delicious pan juices dotted with caramelized onions!

5 from 3 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Resting Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 314kcal

Author: Mamma C

Ingredients

  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2-3 Tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves (or 1 ½ teaspoons dried rosemary)
  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 3 pounds boneless pork loin roast (not tenderloin)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ medium onion

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 350°F. Pluck the fresh rosemary needles off of the stems until you have 2 or 3 tablespoons of the needles. Peel the garlic and finely chop it together with the rosemary. Set the mixture aside in a tiny bowl.

  • When your oven is ready, place the butter in a 9x13 pan or roaster (see notes) and set the pan on the center oven rack for about 4 minutes, to allow the butter to melt.

  • While the butter is melting, place the roast horizontally in front of you, with the fat on top. Use a sharp, serrated knife to cut vertical slits in the pork. Make the slits about four inches long, two inches deep and space them at least an inch apart. (See the video and photo in the post.)

  • Stuff the rosemary-garlic mixture into the slits you made in the roast. Wash your hands well.

  • When the butter is melted, take the pan out of the oven. Still wearing gloves or mitts, tilt the pan back and forth a bit so the melted butter coats the whole bottom.

  • Set the pork on top of the melted butter in the pan. Season the roast with the salt and pepper. Pour the olive oil over the top.

  • Bake the pork initially for 30 minutes, uncovered. During that time, chop up half an onion. After the pork has cooked for 30 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Add the chopped onion to the bottom of the pan, around the pork.

  • Make sure to wear gloves/mitts again as you put the pork back in the oven to roast for another 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. (Note that a metal pan will cook the pork faster than a glass pan.)

  • Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing it. Use a large knife with a smooth blade to slice the meat. To serve, spoon the juices and onions on top of the sliced pork.

  • Store leftover pork covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. You should be able to freeze the sliced pork for up to three months.

Video

Notes

  • I always use a glass pan for this recipe and love the juicy results. A dark roasting pan will cook the meat faster, so check on it after 25 minutes have passed during the second baking session.
  • The cooking time is for a 3-pound roast. If yours is smaller, it will cook faster.
  • When slicing a roast, don't use a serrated knife, because it will tear up the meat as you slice it. Use a smooth, chef's knife (affiliate link).

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 652mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!

(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C. Roasted Pork Loin with Rosemary and Garlic was originally published on Food Fanatic and here on June 5, 2017. Now updated with new photos and additional information. Photos by Kanyi Muraguri for Cooking with Mamma C.)

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The Best Pork Loin Roast Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to tender pork loin? ›

Once the pork loin roast reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer, remove it from the oven, and let it rest on a cutting board for 20 minutes. This gives the meat time to reabsorb all its juices. You can also brine the pork before you cook it, which ensures the meat stays tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.

How do you keep pork loin roast from drying out? ›

Give your cooked pork roast around 10 to 20 minutes of rest time after removing it from the heat — regardless of how you choose to prepare it. If you're looking for tender and mouth-watering results, this is crucial to help the meat reabsorb its juices.

How do you cook pork loin so it isn't dry? ›

How do you cook a pork loin steak without drying it out? Don't overcook it. The absolute best way is to sous vide it, but if you don't have that setup, fry it over medium-high heat so the outside gets crusty before the inside dries out. Use an instant-read thermometer, and pull it from the pan at 145f.

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.

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

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.

How long does it take to cook a 3lb pork loin at 250 degrees? ›

Rub remaining seasoned oil over all the roast. Place roast on rack fat side up. Roast uncovered for 10 minute then lower temperature to 250 degrees and roast till internal temperature is 150 to 155. About 3-4 hours.

Is there a 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.

Should pork loin sit out before cooking? ›

Meat juices inside can not react when we cook cold meat. We need room temperature for a juicy and tender steak. If you want to cook a tasty, delicious pork tenderloin in your oven, keeping all the flavors, you need to take it out of the refrigerator one hour before.

Do I need to rinse pork loin before cooking? ›

Washing beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces. We call this cross-contamination. Some consumers think they are removing bacteria and making their meat or poultry safe.

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 sear a pork loin roast before baking? ›

Pork tenderloin is really a weeknight all-star. It's food-budget-friendly, it's always ready to feed a hungry crowd, and, most importantly, it's super easy to make. The key is to remember this little two-step process — sear and roast — which results in a piece of meat that's moist and juicy.

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.

What is the difference between pork loin and roast? ›

Pork loin is a wide, oblong-shaped cut from the pig's back.

It goes by a number of names, including pork roast, center cut roast, and pork center rib roast, and is suited to low-and-slow cooking preparations. It also happens to be the same area that pork chops are sliced from and is sold with and without bones.

What tenderizes pork loin? ›

Salt and moisture are key

Salt can help break down protein fibers in meat so that the meat is more tender and is able to retain more moisture. Even just sprinkling salt on your tenderloin for 15 minutes before cooking can have a dramatic effect on the juiciness of your tenderloin.

How do Chinese make pork so tender? ›

How do you tenderise pork for stir fry? Velveting is a Chinese technique that helps keep meat tender during stir frying. Adding cornstarch and bicarb to your meat during the marinating process helps to coat your meat, giving it a velvety feel that makes the meat feel extra soft.

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.

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