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 tenderloin is a lean, tender cut of meat that makes for a quick, delicious weeknight dinner A 1.5 pound pork tenderloin serves about 3-4 people, can be prepared in under 30 minutes, and delivers a mouthwatering meal packed with protein But nailing the right cooking time ensures your pork comes out moist, flavorful and cooked through, not dry or underdone. Follow this guide to learn exactly how long to cook a 1.5 lb pork tenderloin.
Oven Roasting Times
One of the easiest and most foolproof ways to cook pork tenderloin is by oven roasting. Simply season the meat, pop it in the oven and let the dry ambient heat work its magic.
To oven roast a 15 lb pork tenderloin
-
Preheat oven to 400°F.
-
Pat pork dry and season all over with salt, pepper and any other spices or herbs.
-
Place tenderloin on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan.
-
Roast for 25-30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F for medium doneness or 150-155°F for well done.
-
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
At 400°F, a 1.5 lb tenderloin will need right around 25-30 minutes in the oven to reach perfect doneness. The roast may take just a couple minutes less or more depending on your specific oven. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness.
Grill Times
Grilling imparts delicious smoky charred flavor to pork. For best results:
-
Prepare grill for direct high heat, around 400°F.
-
Season tenderloin all over.
-
Place tenderloin directly over heat. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, with the thicker side facing the heat first.
-
Grill until internal temp reaches 140-145°F for medium or 150-155°F for well done.
-
Let rest 5 minutes then slice.
Cooking over direct high heat, a 1.5 lb tenderloin will need about 10-14 minutes total, flipping halfway through. Always rely on a thermometer for accuracy.
Pan Searing + Oven Times
For extra browned exterior with tender interior:
-
Pat pork dry and season all over.
-
In an ovenproof skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat.
-
Add pork and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until well browned.
-
Transfer skillet to preheated 400°F oven and roast for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 140-145°F for medium or 150-155°F for well done.
-
Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Pan searing followed by oven roasting gives you the best of both worlds – a crisp, flavorful exterior and moist interior.
What’s the Minimum Internal Temperature?
For food safety, the USDA recommends cooking pork to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F with a 3 minute rest time. This kills any potential bacteria and parasites.
For medium doneness, cook to 140-145°F. For well done, aim for 150-155°F internal temperature. Always allow the roasted pork to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into it.
Cook Times for Larger/Smaller Pork Tenderloins
While this guide focused on a 1.5 lb tenderloin, the method works for any size:
- 1 lb tenderloin: Reduce cooking times by 2-5 minutes
- 2 lb tenderloin: Increase cooking times by 5-8 minutes
- 3 lb tenderloin: Increase cooking times by 10-15 minutes
No matter the size, always rely on an instant-read thermometer to gauge doneness precisely. Look for 140-145°F for medium or 150-155°F for well done.
Signs of Doneness
An instant-read thermometer is the foolproof way to ensure your pork reaches the ideal finished temperature. But there are also visual cues:
-
The pork should register 145°F for medium or 155°F for well on a meat thermometer.
-
The exterior will be lightly browned or crispy from oven roasting, grilling or pan searing.
-
The center should be slightly pink for medium or pale white/brown throughout for well done.
-
Pork juices should run clear with a tinge of pink for medium or clear for well done.
Monitor the pork carefully as it nears the end of the recommended cooking time and use all of your senses.
For perfectly cooked pork, follow the guidelines for your preferred cooking method. Aim for 140-145°F for medium or 150-155°F for well done. Rest, then slice and enjoy your juicy, foolproof pork tenderloin!
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!.
Pork Tenderloin Basics
FAQ
How long does it take to cook 1.5 pounds of pork tenderloin?
Is it better to cook a pork tenderloin at 350 or 400?
How long does it take for a 1 lb pork tenderloin to take to get to medium rare in an oven on 450?
What temperature should a small pork tenderloin be cooked to?