How Many Minutes Per Pound Should You Cook Pork Loin?

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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!

Pork loin is a delicious, lean cut of meat that can be prepared in various ways. When roasting a boneless pork loin roast, the minutes per pound method is a handy guide to getting perfect results. But how many minutes per pound is ideal? Let’s break it down.

What is Pork Loin?

Pork loin refers to the loin muscle that runs along the back of the pig. It’s a long, cylindrical cut that can weigh anywhere from 2 to 10 pounds.

Pork loin contains little fat or connective tissue, making it lean and tender when cooked properly. It’s an excellent choice for roasting.

Factors That Affect Cooking Time

Several factors impact total cooking time for pork loin

  • Weight – Heavier roasts need more time since heat takes longer to penetrate to the center,

  • Cooking temperature – Higher oven temps cook pork faster. Lower temps result in a longer cook time

  • Doneness preference – Pork cooked to 145°F will take less time than cooking to 160°F.

  • Roast shape – Uniform roasts cook evenly. Irregular shapes may require more time.

  • Bone-in or boneless – Bone-in roasts take longer to cook through.

  • Frozen or thawed – Frozen meat adds quite a bit of extra cooking time.

Recommended Minutes Per Pound

For a 3-5 pound boneless pork loin roast, cooking times range from:

  • 145°F (slightly pink): 18-23 minutes per pound

  • 160°F (well done): 20-25 minutes per pound

For a larger 6-10 pound roast, cooking times are:

  • 145°F: 11-15 minutes per pound

  • 160°F: 15-20 minutes per pound

These times are based on a 350°F oven temperature. Cooking at 325°F may add 5 minutes per pound. At 400°F, reduce times by 3-5 minutes per pound.

Check temperature early and continue cooking until the target temperature for your desired doneness is reached. Carryover cooking will increase the temperature about 10°F during resting.

Helpful Tips

  • Brining adds flavor and moisture. Brine 8-24 hours before roasting.

  • Let roast rest at least 10 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.

  • Use an instant read thermometer for best results. Ovens and pork roasts vary.

  • Add vegetables like potatoes, carrots or parsnips during the last 30-45 minutes.

  • Make an easy pan sauce from the flavorful drippings.

  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Sample Roasting Recipes

Simple Herb Crusted Pork Loin

  • 3 lb boneless pork loin
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Pat pork dry and coat with oil. Combine garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Rub spice mix on all sides of roast. Roast at 350°F for 60-70 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Loin

  • 5 lb boneless pork loin
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp grainy mustard
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Roast pork at 350°F for 90-110 minutes until internal temp reaches 160°F. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard and paprika. Brush glaze over pork during last 10 minutes of roasting. Rest at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Garlic Rosemary Pork Loin

  • 4 lb boneless pork loin
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Combine garlic, olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub spice mix all over pork roast. Roast at 350°F for approximately 75-95 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Let rest 10 minutes before carving.

The Takeaway

For delicious roasted pork loin, figure 18-25 minutes per pound for a 3-5 pound roast and 11-20 minutes per pound for a larger 6-10 pound roast. Check internal temperature early and continue roasting until the pork reaches your desired degree of doneness. Resting before slicing and making a simple pan sauce are also keys to pork loin perfection. With the minutes per pound method as your guide, you’ll turn out juicy, flavorful roasted pork loin every time.

how many minutes per pound for a 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!.

You Should Know: How To Cook the BEST Pork Loin You’ll Ever Have!

FAQ

Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400?

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.

How many minutes per pound should a pork loin be cooked?

Roast until internal temperature is between 135-150°F, 18-25 minutes per pound.* If you prefer your pork slightly pink, go with the 135F at this stage.

How long to cook 1lb pork tenderloin at 350?

From oven oven-roasting to grilling, here’s a quick guide to cooking times: How long to cook pork tenderloin in oven at 350°F: Placed in a baking dish and cooked uncovered, a pork tenderloin will take around 20-27 minutes at 350°F.

How long to cook a 5 lb 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.

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