What Is Pork loin and How Can I Use It?
Wondering what to do with pork loin? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it, plus 105 recipes to put it to work.
Key Points
- Pork loin is the large, lean roasting cut along the back, sold as a center loin roast.
- Much bigger and fattier than the pork tenderloin, often with a protective fat cap.
- Roast at 350°F (177°C) to 145°F (63°C), then rest 10 minutes.
- It does not get tender with long cooking like shoulder; cook to temperature, not time.
- Brining (about ¼ cup salt per quart) seasons it deep and keeps it moist.
What is pork loin?
Pork loin is the big, lean roasting cut that runs along the pig's back, between the shoulder and the hip. It is wide and rectangular, often sold as a center loin roast weighing two to four pounds. This is the cut most people picture when they say "pork roast."
People mix it up with the pork tenderloin, but they are not the same. The loin is several times larger, a little fattier, and usually capped with a layer of fat that bastes it as it cooks.
How to Cook It
Pork loin is lean, so the goal is to cook it through without drying it out. Roast it in a moderate oven, around 350°F (177°C), until the center hits 145°F (63°C), then rest it 10 minutes before slicing.
That rest is not optional. Cut into it straight out of the oven and the juices run onto the board instead of staying in the meat.
A whole loin also takes well to the slow cooker and to braises, where the moisture keeps it from drying. Crockpot Cranberry Pork Roast and 2 Meals in One: Crock-Pot Chalupa/Refried Beans both turn a lean loin into something fork-tender over several hours.
Cut crosswise, the loin gives you pork loin chops. Cut thin and stir-fried, it works in dishes like Thai Pork with Basil, where fast heat keeps the strips juicy.
Flavor and Pairings
The loin is mild and faintly sweet, a blank canvas that takes a rub or glaze beautifully. Garlic, rosemary, mustard, and fruit are all natural partners, which is why apple and cranberry show up in so many loin recipes.
The classic mistake is treating it like a fatty shoulder and roasting it for hours. Without much collagen, the loin does not get more tender with time. It just dries out. Cook to temperature, not to the clock.
Brining helps a lot. An hour or two in salted water (about ¼ cup salt per quart) seasons the meat deep and holds onto moisture during roasting.
Substitutes
A pork loin roast is the same cut, just trimmed and tied for roasting, so it swaps in directly. Pork tenderloin works for smaller portions but cooks much faster, so reach for it only when you adjust the time.
For pulled or shredded results, switch to pork shoulder instead. It is the opposite kind of cut: fatty and forgiving, made for the long low cooking that ruins a loin.
A boneless turkey breast roast is a reasonable poultry stand-in, lean in the same way and happiest cooked to temperature and rested.
Buying and Storing
Choose a loin that is firm and pinkish-red with a smooth fat cap. A thicker fat layer is a good sign for roasting whole, since it protects the meat. Boneless and bone-in both work; bone-in roasts a little slower and tastes a little richer.
Keep raw loin refrigerated and cook within 3 to 5 days, or freeze for up to 6 months. A whole loin freezes well; just wrap it tightly to keep air off the surface. Cooked pork loin holds 3 to 4 days and makes excellent next-day sandwiches.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 3 oz (85g)Quick facts
Where to find pork loin: Pork loin is usually found in the meats section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Pork loin is a member of the Pork Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 猪里脊肉
- British (UK) term
- Pork loin
- en français
- longe de porc
- en español
- lomo de cerdo
How much does pork loin weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 3 ounce | 85 grams |
| 1 chop, excluding refuse (yield from 1 raw chop, with refuse, weighing 113 g) | 80 grams |
Related
Pork Products
Recipes using pork loin
There are 105 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Grilled Cuban Sandwich
A delicious grilled Cuban sandwich is perfect for a quick and easy week day dinner.
2 Meals in One: Crock-Pot Chalupa/Refried Beans
Hearty winter meal that warms you to your toes! Any leftovers can be used next day for lunch or a side dish for dinner.
Tomatillo Pork Chili Verde Stew for Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
A Mexican twist for your slow cooker. Packed with flavor, lean pork in a tangy tomatillo sauce.
Crockpot Cranberry Pork Roast
Crockpot cranberry pork roast: a browned roast slow-cooked in tangy-sweet cranberry sauce with mustard and brown sugar, then the juices get thickened into a glossy sauce for spooning over.
Thai Pork with Basil
Thai pork with basil stir fries thinly sliced pork loin with garlic, chilies, and a full bunch of fresh basil in a soupy fish sauce broth. Ready in 25 minutes over rice or noodles.
Peameal Bacon - Canadian Pickled Pork Bacon - Back bacon
This is an easy to make version of real homemade Canadian Bacon. Also known as peameal bacon in Canada. Works wonderfully for peameal on a bun.
Tavern on the Green's Roast Pork Sandwich
Tender roast pork layered with roasted potatoes, red onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and crisp romaine on lavosh with aioli. This NYC-inspired rolled sandwich is a make-ahead lunch that slices beautifully for picnics and parties.
Pork Loin in Green Sauce
Pork loin in green sauce: Mexican-style pork simmered tender, then sliced into a tomatillo-tomato-chile-cilantro salsa verde. Serve with rice or boiled potatoes.
Maple-Pepper Roasted Pork Loin
Maple-pepper roasted pork loin marinates overnight in lemon, maple syrup, shallots, garlic, thyme, and black pepper, then roasts with a sweet-peppery glaze. A Canadian-inspired roast for a crowd.
Pork Piccata Sandwiches
Pork piccata sandwiches with lemon pepper-crusted pork loin cutlets seared in butter, served on buns with fresh lemon wedges and tomato. Ready in 25 minutes.
Stir-Fried Noodles
Thai stir-fried rice noodles with pork, dried shrimp, bean sprouts, and a tangy fish sauce-lime-ketchup glaze, topped with crushed peanuts and cilantro.
Pork Scalloppine with Cranberry Sauce
Pan-seared pork scalloppine in a from-scratch cranberry sauce with red wine vinegar, chicken stock, and cranberry liqueur. Elegant weeknight dinner in 40 minutes.
Peachy Pork Stir-Fry
Quick pork stir-fry with peaches, snow peas, and a glossy apricot-ginger sauce. Lean pork loin sliced thin and cooked in under 10 minutes for a sweet-savory weeknight dinner.
Irish Loin of Pork with Lemon & Herbs
Roasted boneless pork loin rubbed with lemon zest, parsley, basil and garlic, served with a sherry pan sauce. Irish-inspired roast for Sunday dinner or holidays.
Loin of Pork in Green Chili Sauce
Pork loin braised in tangy tomatillo and serrano chili sauce with nopalitos and fresh cilantro. A traditional Mexican-style green chili stew with bright, herby heat.
Ovenbaked Southern Pork Loin
Oven-baked bone-in pork loin basted with a tangy-sweet sauce of tomato puree, apple cider vinegar, and molasses. A simple Southern-style roast with a sticky, caramelized glaze.
Pork Apple Pie
Pork apple pie bakes cubed pork loin, sage, and apples under a golden pastry crust with a splash of apple cider. Savory main-dish pie rooted in old American and English farmhouse tradition.
Pork Brazilian Style
Brazilian-style roast pork loin glazed with honey, orange juice, ginger, and clove. Served traditionally with black beans, rice, and cucumber-onion salad.
Pork with Almond Crust
Pork cutlets with a crunchy almond and cracker crust, seasoned with cayenne and coriander, dipped in buttermilk egg wash and pan-fried golden in butter.
Stir Fried Pork Slices in Wine Sauce
Stir-fried pork in wine sauce is a classic Chinese dish with stir-fried pork loin braised in a homemade wine lees paste of rice, yeast, soy, and sherry.
Sizzling Pork Pockets
Sizzling pork pockets with Dijon-marinated pork loin strips stir-fried and stuffed into warm pitas with lettuce and creamy tarragon dressing. A quick, flavorful weeknight dinner.
Honey Grilled Pork
Honey grilled pork loin marinated overnight in beer, Dijon mustard, garlic, rosemary, and honey. Slow-grilled with rosemary sprigs on the coals for smoky, sweet flavor.
Barbequed Pork Ribs/Currant Glaze
Spice-rubbed pork ribs finished with a sweet-tart currant jelly glaze spiked with orange juice, lemon, and Dijon mustard. Grilled low and slow until the meat pulls clean.
Lumpia
Filipino lumpia filled with seasoned pork, shrimp, dried mushrooms, and water chestnuts, fried golden and crispy. Served with sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Spicy Pork & Black Bean Chili
Discover this easy Spicy Pork and Black Bean Chili recipe with tender pork, bold spices, and hearty beans - perfect for beginner cooks seeking 'spicy pork chili with black beans', 'easy black bean chili for weeknights', or 'hearty pork and bean chili for game day'. Ready in under 4 hours with simple steps!
Pecan-Coated Roast Pork Loin with Baked Peaches
Pecan-coated roast pork loin with baked peaches: an overnight-marinated pork loin in a sage-thyme-garlic crust, rolled in chopped pecans and roasted with brown sugar peaches. Southern holiday showpiece.
Roast Loin of Pork with Southwestern Sauce
Roast pork loin rubbed with ground ancho chilies, cumin, and a bold Southwestern spice blend, served sliced on a pepper-tomato-bacon sauce reduced with red wine and veal stock.
Javanese Pork Sate
Javanese pork satay skewers marinated in a peanut butter, garlic, soy, and brown sugar paste, then grilled over hot coals until smoky and caramelized. Indonesian street-food classic at home.
Pork & Chicken Wing Adobo with Spinach
There are many ways of preparing adobo. In this recipe, the sauce is reduced to a rich savory glaze to coat the pork and chicken.
Pork with Straw Mushrooms
Chinese stir-fried pork with straw mushrooms, snow peas, and bamboo shoots in a savory soy-cornstarch sauce. A quick wok dinner with tender, velveted pork slices.
Feijoada Latin Style
Feijoada slow-cooks black beans with cubed ham, pork loin, Italian sausage, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a hint of orange zest. Hearty Brazilian-style bean and meat stew.
Ancho-And Chipotle-Rubbed Pork Loin
Smoky ancho and fiery chipotle chilies form a bold spice crust on tender pork loin, slow-roasted in a clay pot with sweet onions until fall-apart tender.
Keefer Court Sticky Rice Dumplings
Deep-fried sticky rice dumplings filled with pork, dried shrimp, and bamboo shoots in a sweet rice flour dough. A crispy, chewy Chinese dim sum classic that puffs up golden brown in the fryer.
Pork with Stuffed Yams
Pork chops and twice-baked yams share one pan, both perfumed with orange juice. A paprika-garlic rub on the chops, and yam shells stuffed with apple, onion and celery for a sweet-savory dinner.
Tingal Poblana
Tingal Poblana with slow-simmered shredded pork and beef, chorizo, tomatillos, chipotle, oregano, and marjoram. A rich Mexican stew from Puebla served as a bowl or scooped into warm tortillas.
Medallions of Pork with Red Wine Sauce
Pork medallions seared and finished with a red wine pan sauce built on shallots, ginger, balsamic, honey, and butter. Bistro-style technique that turns boneless pork loin into a 35-minute dinner.
Pork Salad with Mustard-Soy Sauce
Pork salad with sliced pork loin and red peppers over mixed greens, dressed in a punchy Dijon mustard-soy sauce vinaigrette. A smart use for leftover roast pork.
Pork with Tangy Mustard Sauce
Grilled pork loin rubbed with mustard, garlic, and ginger, basted with a horseradish mustard and apricot preserve glaze. An overnight-marinated roast with sweet-hot flavor.
Roast Pork Loin Wtih Pinot Noir Sauce
Brined and roasted pork loin with a pinot noir pan sauce, thyme, juniper berries, and whole grain mustard. An elegant Sunday roast for dinner-party plating.
Sui Mai Pork Dumplings
Steamed sui mai pork dumplings with dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and sesame oil wrapped in wonton skins. This classic dim sum recipe makes 30 bite-sized dumplings that rival your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Courgette & Aubergine with Pork
Quick pork stir-fry with courgette (zucchini) and aubergine (eggplant) finished in creamy yogurt and served over brown rice. A 30-minute weeknight dinner with smoky paprika and charred vegetables.
Teriyaki Pork & Sweet Potatoes
A one-skillet dinner of pork loin, sweet potatoes and green beans glazed in teriyaki sauce with a bright hit of orange zest. Hearty, colorful and on the table in 40 minutes.
Jose Giles's Pozole
Traditional Mexican pozole with slow-simmered pork loin and canned hominy in a simple garlic broth. Five ingredients, big flavor, and endlessly customizable with toppings.
Saucy Pork Fajitas
Pork loin fajitas with a sweet-heat sauce of chunky salsa and peach preserves, loaded with seared peppers, onions, cilantro, and a cool sour cream finish.
Beer Jalapeño Chili
Beer-braised jalapeño chili loaded with beef and pork, three kinds of chiles, and toasted cumin, with no beans in sight. A fiery Texas-style bowl that simmers low in the crock-pot until the meat falls apart.
Javanese Pork Saute**
Javanese pork satay skewers marinated in a peanut butter, soy sauce, and brown sugar blend, grilled and served with cucumber-yogurt raita over rice.
Riata Grande Chili*
Texas-style beanless chili with cubed pork loin and beef brisket braised in beer, tequila, and triple cumin, thickened with masa harina. Six pounds of meat, no beans, all heat.
Green Chili Con Carne
Green chili con carne with cubed pork loin braised in tomatillos, fresh green chilis, cumin, and white wine in a pressure cooker. A New Mexican-style green pork stew.
Pork with Blackberry Gastrique & Mango Salsa
Butter-seared pork loin with a tangy blackberry gastrique and fresh mango-mint salsa. A restaurant-quality dish with bright, fruity contrast in just 30 minutes.
More pork loin recipes
- Beer Jalapeño Chili
- Courgette & Aubergine with Pork
- Farmhouse Pork & Apple Pie
- Favorite Barbecued Pork
- Feijoada Latin Style
- Herbed Pork Cutlets, Greek Vegetable Salad with Couscous, Cucumber
- Medallions of Pork
- Medallions of Pork with Red Wine Sauce
- Medallions of Pork with Red-Wine Sauce
- Mole Poblano De Dos Chiles
- Pork Salad with Mustard-Soy Sauce
- Pork Stew
- Pork with Stuffed Yams
- Pork, Potato, & Green Bean Stew
- Roast Pork Party-Style
- Sweet & Sour Pork with Tomato, Sweet Pepper, & Pineapple
- Teriyaki Pork with Ramen, Napa & Shredded Carrot
- Thai Pork Satay
- Tofu, Pork, & Vegetable Stir-Fry
