TUTORIAL: Roast a Boneless Pork Loin

Whole boneless pork loins are typically 7 to 10 pounds, and this tutorial is for half of that (3 to 5 pounds).

Successfully roast a boneless pork loin AT HOME. With these simple steps, it’s guaranteed to come out JUICY and TENDER!

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Step 2: Season the outside of your pork loin thoroughly. This can be done in advance with pre-marinating or brining in the refrigerator overnight. Season to your liking and taste preferences. Pork is incredibly versatile, so nearly any flavor profile will work! A classic flavor combination is garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Prepare your pan. This doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Use a roasting pan if you have one. If not, use a rimmed cookie sheet or 9x13. To re-create the roasting rack, place a metal cooling rack in the bottom of the pan or pull out your aluminum foil (this is what I do!). Tear off a 12+” sheet of foil and form it into a snake and then into a ring. Make as many rings as you need to keep you pork loin off the bottom of the pan. This promotes circulation of the heat underneath and around your loin, which helps the meat to cook evenly. Oil the pan if roasting vegetables around your loin.

Step 4: Place your pork, fat side up, in your prepared pan.

Step 5: Add oiled/seasoned vegetables around your pork loin to make it a complete meal. Use vegetables that require longer cook times like potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and carrots.

Step 6: Roast in a 400 F oven for 15 minutes. This gives you that nice crispy crust that everyone loves!

Step 7: Turn your oven temperature down to 325 F (no need to open the oven) and continue cooking until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. The time will vary based on the size of your loin and what you are cooking with it. We recommend checking it after 30 minutes with a meat thermometer and adding small time increments as needed. This may seem like a pain, but ensuring that you don’t exceed 145 F is the key to success with any pork loin recipe! Pork is very lean, so overcooking it will result in a dry and tough product.

Step 8: Once your pork loin has reach 145 F, remove it from the oven and cover it loosely with aluminum foil for a 3-minute rest. This rest helps redistribute the juices throughout the meat, so they don’t come out when you cut into it. Don’t lose those juices!

Perfectly roasting a pork loin is an ideal way to prep a healthy protein for the week ahead or to wow your dinner guests with a beautiful meal that looks impressive!