How to Bake a Pork Loin to Perfection in Your Oven

Pork loin is an incredibly versatile and delicious cut of meat that takes beautifully to being roasted in the oven. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a mouthwatering roasted pork loin on the table in about an hour.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to bake a pork loin roast like a pro, including

What is Pork Loin and Key Differences from Pork Tenderloin
Choosing the Right Size Pork Loin Roast
Trimming and Preparing the Pork Loin
Making a Simple Herb Rub
Step-by-Step Oven Roasting Method
Letting it Rest Before Slicing
Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes

What is Pork Loin?

Pork loin roast is a boneless cut of meat from the rib area near the pig’s back. It’s a very lean, tender cut that is thicker than pork chops but narrower than a pork shoulder roast. Pork loin is sometimes confused with pork tenderloin, but they are very different cuts of meat.

Here are the key differences

Pork loin comes from higher up on the body along the back. It is much larger and rectangular shaped.
Pork tenderloin is a thin, tapered cut found along the underside of the spine. It cooks faster since it is smaller and narrower

For our oven roasting method, we want to use a nice pork loin roast, not pork tenderloin.

Choosing the Right Size

Pork loin roasts are readily available at any grocery store and generally range from 2 to 5 pounds. A 3 pound roast is perfect for feeding 4 to 6 people.

Some tips on choosing the best roast:

Select one that is evenly shaped and uniform in size. This helps it cook evenly.
Make sure the package says “pork loin roast” not “pork tenderloin.”
Go for a roast that has a nice layer of fat on top. The fat cap provides delicious flavor.

Trimming and Preparing the Roast

Before seasoning and roasting, we want to trim off any excess fat from the pork loin. Here’s the easy process:

Place the roast fat side up on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice off the fat cap.
Trim it to about 1⁄4 inch thickness. We want to leave some fat for flavor and moisture.
Also trim off any large pockets of fat throughout the roast.
Pat the roast dry with paper towels.
Apply a thin coating of Worcestershire sauce to help the seasoning adhere.

Making a Simple Herb Rub

One of the keys to incredible oven roasted pork loin is a simple, homemade dry rub. Here is a tasty 4-ingredient rub:

1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper

Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl. Generously coat all sides of the pork loin with the rub. The salt and herbs will form a flavorful, aromatic crust when roasted.

Step-by-Step Oven Roasting Method

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Follow these simple steps for oven roasting pork loin perfection:

Place prepared roast fat side up on the pan.
Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes to initially brown the outside.
Reduce heat to 375°F and continue roasting for about 40-50 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to monitor doneness and avoid overcooking.
When done, remove from oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing.

The initial high heat helps develop a beautiful golden brown crust on the exterior of the roast. Lowering to 375°F allows the inside to gently roast until juicy, tender and cooked through.

Letting It Rest

Letting the pork loin rest once it comes out of the oven is crucial. The resting time allows the juices to redistribute back into the meat. If you skip this step, the pork will leak juices onto the cutting board once sliced.

After removing the roast from the oven, tent it loosely with foil and let rest at least 5 minutes, up to 10 minutes. The temperature will continue rising about 5-10 degrees during this time for perfect doneness.

Slicing and Serving

When ready to serve, place the rested pork loin on a clean cutting board. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Arrange the sliced pork on a platter or plates.

Spoon any accumulated pan juices over the top. The juices make a delicious au jus for serving. They can also be used to make an easy pan gravy.

Pork loin pairs well with so many sides like roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, mac and cheese, salads and more. A crisp green salad or vegetable medley is a refreshing accompaniment.

Oven Baked Pork Loin Tips

Choose a pork loin roast with the fat cap on top for added moisture and flavor.
Resist the urge to overtrim the fat. Leave about 1/4 inch.
Use an instant-read thermometer for the most accurate doneness reading.
145°F is the ideal finished temperature for juicy, tender pork loin.
Letting the roast rest after baking allows the juices to reabsorb for a moist, tender texture.
Leftover sliced pork loin makes excellent sandwiches the next day.

With this easy recipe and helpful tips, you can roast pork loin like a pro! The simple herb rubbed exterior and juicy, pink center is impressive enough for company but easy enough for a family dinner any night of the week.

EASY Pork Tenderloin In Oven Recipe – So Simple, So TASTY!

FAQ

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

DO NOT OVERCOOK THE MEAT. This is the cardinal rule for lean cuts of meat like pork tenderloin. At 400 degrees F, a 1-pound pork tenderloin will cook in 8 to 10 minutes after being seared on the stove.

How long do you cook pork tenderloin in the oven at 350 degrees?

A good rule of thumb is to cook pork loin 25 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), so use a thermometer to know when it’s done. You’ll want to let your pork loin rest at least three minutes before serving.

What temp should I cook pork loin to?

The safe internal pork cooking temperature for fresh cuts is 145° F. To check doneness properly, use a digital cooking thermometer. Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor.

How do you cook a pork loin so it doesn’t dry out?

How do you cook a pork loin steak without drying it out? Don’t overcook it. The absolute best way is to sous vide it, but if you don’t have that setup, fry it over medium-high heat so the outside gets crusty before the inside dries out. Use an instant-read thermometer, and pull it from the pan at 145f.

How to cook a pork loin in the oven?

Preheat the oven. First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Then, lightly grease a roasting pan with some olive oil, and set it aside. Prepare the meat: Using paper towels, pat dry the meat. Also, if the loin has any silver skin, gently remove it using a sharp knife. Then, using a knife, make some holes inside, and fill them with garlic cloves.

How long do you cook a pork loin roast in the oven?

Tender, juicy pork loin roast expertly seasoned and roasted to perfection in your oven for about an hour. This mouthwatering recipe uses all simple ingredients and steps. Preheat oven to 425° (F). Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil, spray with a little non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Mix all dry ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

How to make the best pork loin roast ever?

Here’s how to make the best pork loin roast ever: Make the spice rub. We are going to start with making a dry rub by combining salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub that all over the pork loin. Sear the meat. Heat some oil in a large skillet and sear the meat, about 5 minutes per side.

How long do you cook pork loin in a pan?

Heat wine and stir to loosen browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Slice pork loin and serve with pan juices. Succulent pork loin roasted with garlic and rosemary and basted with a white wine pan sauce makes a flavorsome and impressive main dish.