How Long Do You Boil Pork Loin? A Complete Guide

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!.

PERFECTLY MOIST PORK LOINLike this recipe? Pin it to your MAIN DISH pinboard!Follow Real Housemoms on Pinterest

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 loin is a lean and tasty cut of meat that can be prepared in various ways, including boiling When cooked properly, boiled pork loin results in tender, juicy meat with great flavor But how long should you boil pork loin to achieve the best results? Here is a complete guide with tips, tricks and recipes to help you master the art of boiling pork loin.

##Selecting the Right Pork Loin

Choosing a high-quality piece of pork loin is the first step. Opt for a cut that has some marbling or fat running through it. The fat keeps the meat moist and adds flavor. Stay away from cuts that look very lean. Also, consider the size. Larger loins need more time to cook through. Aim for a 2-3 pound roast.

##Preparing the Pork Loin

Before cooking, trim off any excess fat or silver skin from the pork loin. Leave about 1⁄4 inch of fat to help keep the meat tender. Next, pat the loin dry with paper towels. Then, rub it all over with olive oil, salt, pepper and any other seasonings you like. You can also let it marinate for added flavor.

##How to Boil Pork Loin

Boiling pork loin is easy but there are some key steps:

Place the seasoned pork loin in a large pot and add enough water to cover the meat completely You can also use chicken or vegetable broth for more flavor
Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and let the pork loin simmer. Avoid a rolling boil which can make the meat tough.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp. Take it out once it reaches 145°F for medium or 160°F for well done.
Let the pork rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute so your pork doesn’t dry out.

How Long to Boil Pork Loin

The boiling time depends on a few factors:

Size of the pork loin – A 2-3 pound pork loin roast needs about 30 minutes per pound to reach safe internal temp. So that’s 60-90 minutes of simmering time.
Level of doneness – If you want your pork well done, boil it longer to 160°F internal temperature. For medium doneness, 145°F is ideal.
Thickness – If you have a thicker part of loin, it may need up to 35 minutes per pound to ensure it cooks through. Monitor with a meat thermometer.
Altitude – At higher altitudes water boils at lower temps which means meat takes longer to cook. You may need to add 5-15 extra minutes if boiling pork above 3000 feet.

Scientifically Test Doneness

The most foolproof way to test if your boiled pork loin is ready is to use a digital meat thermometer. This takes the guesswork out. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the loin, away from any bones or fat.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check visually to gauge doneness. Slice into the thickest section of meat. It should be slightly pink but not red. Press the meat with your fingertip – it should feel firm yet still juicy when done.

Recipe Ideas for Boiled Pork Loin

Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these tasty recipes using boiled pork loin:

Simple Boiled Pork Loin

Rub a 3 pound pork loin with garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Simmer in chicken broth for 90 minutes until internal temp reaches 160°F. Let rest 10 minutes then slice and serve.

Boiled Pork Loin with Vegetables

Stud a pork loin roast with garlic cloves. Boil in broth with halved red potatoes, carrots and celery for added flavor. Cook 60-90 minutes until pork is 145°F.

Wine Braised Pork Loin

Brown pork loin on all sides in a Dutch oven. Deglaze pan with 1⁄2 cup white wine. Add chicken broth to cover meat and simmer 60-90 minutes until tender.

Apple Cider Braised Pork Loin

Sear pork loin in bacon fat. Add sliced onions, apple cider, chopped sage and salt. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 1⁄2 hours.

Tips for Moist, Flavorful Boiled Pork

Use a cooking thermometer – it prevents overcooking.
Let meat rest before slicing – this keeps juices and flavor locked in.
Add aromatics to the poaching liquid like garlic, onions, herbs.
Use a broth, wine or juice instead of plain water for better flavor.
Sear or brown the pork first for enhanced taste.
Slice pork loin across the grain after cooking for tenderest texture.

Common Boiling Mistakes

It’s easy to over or undercook pork loin if you aren’t careful. Here are some common mistakes:

Not using a meat thermometer to test doneness. This leads to under or overcooked pork.
Boiling at too high a temperature causes meat to toughen and dry out. Keep at a gentle simmer.
Skipping the resting period means juices escape when you slice into the meat.
Using too much liquid will dilute the pork flavor rather than concentrating it.
Forgetting to season or marinate means you miss out on flavorful pork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the minimum internal temperature for boiled pork loin?

The USDA recommends cooking pork to a minimum internal temp of 145°F with a 3 minute rest time. This eliminates bacteria and parasites.

Can I use marinades with boiled pork loin?

Yes! Marinating adds great flavor to the pork. Marinate for 1-24 hours in the fridge. Just be sure to count the marinating time as part of the overall cooking time.

Should I cover the pot when boiling pork loin?

Covering the pot is important to lock in steam and cook the pork evenly. Just be sure to vent the lid slightly to allow some moisture to escape.

Is boiled pork loin healthy?

Boiled pork loin is a lean, healthy choice. A 3 ounce serving provides 25g protein, just 4g total fat and 130 calories. It’s low carb and an excellent source of thiamin, selenium, vitamin B6 and more.

Can I freeze boiled pork loin?

Absolutely! Allow cooked pork loin to cool completely then slice and freeze in an airtight container up to 4 months. Reheat frozen pork in the oven or microwave until hot and safe to eat.

In conclusion, boiling is a simple, healthy way to cook pork loin that results in tender juicy meat when done properly. For best results, select quality pork, cook at a gentle simmer in broth, and use a meat thermometer to test doneness. With the proper technique, boiled pork loin makes for a delicious weeknight dinner or impressive party entree.

how long do you boil pork loin

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!.