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 a delicious, juicy pork roast seems intimidating to many home cooks. With different cuts of pork requiring varying cooking times and temperatures, it’s easy to end up with an overcooked, dry roast
But have no fear – with the proper technique, cooking pork roast can be foolproof! In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook pork roast to perfection every time.
Overview of Pork Roast Cuts
The most common cuts used for pork roast include:
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Pork loin roast: Taken from the loin section, this is a leaner cut.
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Pork shoulder roast Taken from the front leg/shoulder this is a fattier cut. Also called pork butt or Boston butt.
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Pork sirloin roast From the hip area this is a leaner cut.
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Pork tenderloin roast: From the tenderloin muscle, this is a very lean cut.
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Fresh ham roast: From the back leg/rump area, this can be lean or fatty depending on the specific cut.
The cut you choose affects both the cooking time and method required. Fattier cuts like shoulder benefit from slower roasting while leaner cuts like loin can dry out with prolonged cooking.
Pork Roast Food Safety
For food safety, the USDA recommends cooking pork to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F with a 3 minute rest time. This results in a slight pink color which is safe to eat.
Pork needs to reach an internal temp of 160°F to be considered well-done. However, cooking to this higher temp runs the risk of drying out the meat.
Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp of pork roast. Visual appearance alone is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Resting the roast after cooking allows the juices to redistribute evenly.
How Long Does Pork Loin Roast Take to Cook?
A boneless pork loin roast takes approximately 15-20 minutes per pound to cook in a 325°F oven. For example, a 3 pound roast would take 45-60 minutes to reach the safe internal temp.
Start by searing the roast at a high temp (425°F) for the first 15 minutes to brown the outside. Then reduce heat to 325°F and continue roasting until the internal temp hits 145°F.
Since pork loin is a leaner cut, take care not to overcook or it will become dry. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
How Long Does Pork Shoulder Roast Take to Cook?
Pork shoulder roast takes much longer to cook low and slow – generally about 30 minutes per pound at 225-300°F.
For a 3 pound shoulder roast, plan on around 1 1/2 to 2 hours total cooking time. Cooking low and slow breaks down the fat and collagen, resulting in a tender, juicy roast.
Bring the internal temperature up to 200°F for pulled pork, or 160-190°F for slicing. Again, use a meat thermometer for precision.
How Long Does Pork Sirloin Roast Take to Cook?
A pork sirloin roast takes around 25-30 minutes per pound to cook in a 350°F oven. For a 2 pound sirloin roast, it will need about 50-60 minutes total cooking time.
Bring the internal temperature up to the 145°F minimum for food safety. Sirloin is a leaner cut so be careful not to overcook.
How Long Does Pork Tenderloin Roast Take to Cook?
Pork tenderloin is very lean and tender. It cooks quickly, in about 15-20 minutes per pound. A 1 pound tenderloin roast will need just 30-45 minutes in a 425°F oven.
Monitor the internal temperature closely with a thermometer and remove from the oven at 145°F to prevent overcooking. The tenderloin can dry out easily if cooked too long.
How Long Does Fresh Ham Roast Take to Cook?
Fresh ham roast cooking time varies widely depending on the specific cut, bone structure, and whether it’s been enhanced or injected with a solution. Read the package carefully for guidance.
For an unenhanced, bone-in half fresh ham (8-10 lbs), calculate about 18-20 minutes per pound in a 325°F oven. Enhanced or boneless roasts may cook faster. Rely on a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Bring fresh ham up to at least 145°F internal temp. 160°F for well-done. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.
Key Tips for Cooking Pork Roast
Follow these tips for foolproof results whenever you cook pork roast:
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Always let the roast rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to settle.
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Use a meat thermometer to check internal temp instead of relying on cook times.
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Cooking too high or too long dries out the meat – use proper temp for the specific cut.
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Lower-temp, slow roasting works best for fatty cuts like shoulder.
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Quick-cooking lean cuts like tenderloin are easy to overcook.
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If the outside browns too fast, loosely tent with foil to slow cooking.
Mastering the perfect pork roast only requires a little know-how. With the proper technique for your chosen cut, you’ll gain confidence cooking delicious pork roast every time! Use a meat thermometer and the guidelines above to nail the ideal cook time.
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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!
Boneless Pork Loin Roast Basics
FAQ
How long should a pork roast be cooked?
Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400?
Should I cover my pork roast in the oven?
How long to cook a 2 lb pork roast at 200 degrees?