This Pork Roast Recipe makes a juicy, tender boneless pork loin with just five minutes of prep. A simple savory pork rub gives it tons of flavor, while starting the roast at a high temperature and finishing it low and slow creates a browned crust without drying out the meat.
If you have a boneless pork loin and aren’t sure how to cook it without drying it out, this is the recipe you want. The key is using an instant-read thermometer and removing the pork at 140°F so carryover cooking brings it to 145°F while it rests.
Not only is this pork loin roast absolutely delicious, but it is incredibly easy to make, and affordable. For a three-pound cut of meat, which easily feeds our family of five, we only pay about $10. That is a great value for a dinner that works perfectly as a weeknight meal, a holiday main dish, or for entertaining!
My friend and I had your Pork Loin Roast tonight for dinner and it was delicious.
Why This Pork Roast Recipe Works
- Great for weeknights or holidays:Â A three-pound roast feeds about six people without much hands-on work.
- Only five minutes of prep:Â No searing or marinating required.
- Flavorful crust:Â Brown sugar, paprika, garlic, mustard, and spices create a savory-sweet rub.
- Juicy, not dry: The roast comes out of the oven at 140°F and finishes cooking as it rests.
What Cut of Pork Should I Use for Pork Roast?
For this recipe, buy a boneless pork loin roast. Pork loin is a lean cut of meat that typically comes in 2 to 4 pounds and is very sliceable. It is noticeably different from pork tenderloin which is much smaller and thinner and won’t work well in this recipe. Pork shoulder or pork butt is also very delicious, but is a fattier cut of pork and works best when cooked low and slow, such as in my pulled pork tacos or my Dr. Pepper pulled pork. As mentioned, we are using a boneless pork loin roast. If you can only find a bone-in pork loin, I suggest that you use this delicious recipe for Bone-in Pork Loin Roast.
How to Cook a Pork Roast
This pork roast recipe comes together quickly and is loaded with flavor. We start with a higher temperature and then drop it down to achieve both a browned and crispy outside and juicy tender inside.
Here is a brief overview of how to make an oven-roasted pork loin. For the full measurements and cooking time, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Make your pork rub. Similar to my Pork Rub but with dry mustard, onion powder, garlic, and cayenne pepper, mix together your seasonings.
- Season the pork. Spread the pork rub all over the pork loin.
- Roast the pork. Place the loin on the prepared rack and roast for 15 minutes. Turn down the heat and bake until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees.
- Let it rest. Remove the pork loin from the oven and let it sit tented for 5-10 minutes. The internal temperature should rise to 145 degrees.
How Long to Cook Pork Roast
A 3 pound boneless pork loin roast will take approximately 75 minutes in this recipe, 15 minutes at a high temperature and 1 hour of roasting at a lower temperature. But I always recommend to cook lean cuts of pork to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit rather than relying on timing alone. Remove it from the oven when it reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit as read with an instant read thermometer and allow it to rest until it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Carry Over Cooking
You will notice that in this recipe we are taking a helping hand from carry over cooking. The premise behind carry over cooking is that meat continues to cook even when removed from the heat source. So while you need your pork to reach 145 degrees for food safety, we are taking it out of the oven at 140 degrees. It is then tented and in the time it needs to rest, it will reach 145 degrees, in about 5 to 10 minutes. You can even leave your thermometer in the pork and watch this happen.
What to Serve with Pork Roast
Roasted pork loin goes great with so many sides. Here are a few ideas of what to serve:
Storing and Reheating
Store your leftover pork in an airtight container for up to three days. To reheat, place your desired portion in the oven in a baking dish with a little chicken stock. Cook, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes at 300 degrees.
Always use your best discretion with leftovers. As far as what to do with leftover pork roast, there are so many options. Make a sandwich with homemade bbq sauce or some nachos. It would also be delicious on my Jalapeño Peach Panini.
FAQ
Since pork loin is a lean cut of meat, it is best to cook it slowly. Overcooking pork results in meat that is tough and dry. To prevent this from happening, cook it slowly and watch its internal temperature.
The best way to keep pork from drying out is to remove it from the oven when it reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than relying on time alone. Allow it to rest until it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Pork loin is very lean so even 10 to 15 minutes of extra cooking time can dry it out.
Covering your pork loin roast in the oven isn’t necessary for this recipe, however, I do recommend tenting it with foil after it is removed from the oven to allow the internal temperature to reach 145 degrees. This will both bring it up to the necessary temperature and allow the meat to rest before slicing.
Other Pork Recipes
There are so many ways to enjoy pork that your whole family will love.
- This Pork Chops with Apples is an easy dinner with simple ingredients that come together with earthy flavors and a hint of sweetness.
- Pork Stir Fry Recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights.
- This BBQ Pulled Pork recipe is a classic that slow cooks all day and features the best homemade bbq sauce.
If you try this pork roast recipe or any of my other pork recipes, leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Recipe Video
Pork Roast
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless pork loin (not a tenderloin)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt (if using table salt, use 3/4 teaspoon)
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a rack in a shallow baking dish or roasting pan, set aside.
- Mix the paprika, brown sugar, black pepper, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, and cayenne in a small bowl.1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Spread the rub all over the pork loin. Then place the pork loin on the prepared rack.
- Roast for 15 minutes. Then turn down the heat to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and continue roasting until the pork loin reaches 140 degrees, about one hour for a 3 inch thick, 3 pound roast. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest, tented for 5 to 10 minutes. In that time, the roast will come to 145 degrees.
- Slice and serve.
jean Saloranta says
My friend Lisa and I had your Pork Loin Roast tonight for dinner and it was delicious. I am going to give this recipe to my daughter to try.
Just to let you know I am 87 years old and still willing to try new recipes. We have tried quite a few of your recipes and they are delicious.
Best comment of the day. Thank you, Jean!
Terry says
I love your results with food pls don’t stop
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for following along, Terry!
Karen Cline says
love your easy recipes. Have you ever thought about going live when doing some of your recipes??
I would love that. I love to always try something new ..once again thank you So much…..
I’m so glad you love my recipes! Going live while I make them would be ….. something. Lol! I’m not sure if it’s in my future, but I will think about it.
Sandy Siefken says
Can it be prepared with the rub the day before?
Yes! You can apply the rub and refrigerate it before baking for up to 24 hours.
Shirley says
It was delicious!
I’m so glad you liked it!