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!
Cooking pork tenderloin to juicy, tender perfection is an art. With the right techniques and timing, you can master cooking this lean, versatile cut of meat. But how long exactly should you cook pork tenderloin per pound? Let’s break it down.
Why is Pork Tenderloin a Popular Choice?
Pork tenderloin is beloved for its ultra-lean yet tender qualities. The meat has very little marbling meaning hardly any excess fat making it a healthier choice compared to fattier cuts.
Despite being so lean, pork tenderloin remains incredibly tender when cooked properly. It’s also mild in flavor, absorbing seasonings beautifully. This allows it to adapt well to various cuisines and cooking methods, from roasting and grilling to slow braising.
With a relatively quick cooking time and kid-friendly flavor, it’s no wonder pork tenderloin is a popular weeknight staple.
How Cooking Time Varies
To achieve perfect doneness the cooking time per pound can vary based on several factors
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Weight and thickness – A 1-pound tenderloin will cook faster than a 2-pounder. Thickness impacts time too.
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Cooking method – High heat roasting at 425°F cooks faster than slow roasting at 325°F.
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Pre-cooking temperature – Meat straight from the fridge takes longer than room temperature.
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Doneness preference – Cook longer for more well done meat.
While cooking times vary, using a meat thermometer is foolproof.
Oven Roasting Times Per Pound
For oven roasting, a general guideline is:
- 15-20 minutes per pound at 375°F
For example, a 1-pound tenderloin takes about 15-20 minutes, while a 2-pounder needs 30-40 minutes.
Always rely on an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness rather than cooking times. Pork tenderloin is perfectly cooked and safe to eat at 145°F.
Grilling Times Per Pound
When grilling, tenderloin cooks faster over direct high heat. Use these estimates:
- 10-15 minutes per pound
Get those lovely grill marks over direct heat, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
Pan Searing Times Per Pound
For pan searing on the stovetop, cook:
- 5-7 minutes per pound
Sear all sides in a hot skillet, then use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Key Tips for Cooking Pork Tenderloin
Follow these tips for foolproof pork tenderloin every time:
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Let meat rest – Allowing it to rest 5-10 minutes after cooking keeps pork juicy.
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Use a thermometer – Cook to 145°F for the ideal doneness.
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Preheat properly – Give your oven, grill or pan plenty of time to preheat.
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Dry before cooking – Pat pork dry so seasonings stick.
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Cook evenly – Rotate meat while cooking to prevent uneven cooking.
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Avoid high heat entire time – Sear over high heat, then lower heat to finish cooking gently.
Cooking Pork Tenderloin to Perfection
Mastering the art of cooking pork tenderloin boils down to allowing enough cooking time per pound for your size of meat, and monitoring temperature. While cooking times serve as helpful estimates, always rely on a thermometer for perfectly cooked pork. Follow proper resting, preheating and searing techniques for the most tender, juicy results.
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!.
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!
How long do you cook pork at 350?
FAQ
How long do you cook a pork tenderloin per pound?
Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400?
How long does it take to cook pork tenderloin at 350 degrees?
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