Juicy, tender, and full of flavor, this Oven Roasted Pork Loin is the perfect centerpiece for any meal. Seasoned with a simple blend of garlic, herbs, and spices, this dish delivers incredible taste with minimal effort.
Perfect for Sunday suppers or family dinners! Pair with a Blue Cheese Wedge Salad and Garlic Green Beans for a perfect meal!

Juicy Roast Pork Loin
Pork loin makes a delicious meal, as long as the meat is cooked correctly and not dried out. Just follow my step-by-step directions for a perfectly cooked pork loin.
This is a recipe that I have cooked several times for dinner for my family with great results. Recently, my sister was looking for something new for dinner for her family. I suggested this recipe. She was skeptical because her family wasn’t a huge fan of pork and when she cooked pork it often turned out dry.
She agreed to give it a try and she had such great results that she made it again for several weeks in a row! Her family is now also a fan!
How to pick a pork loin
There are several types of pork roasts available at most markets. This recipe is for a pork loin roast, not a tenderloin. They usually range from 2-3 pounds and are boneless.
When selecting a loin roast, try to find one with the fat cap still intact. This is a layer of fat across the top of the roast. Unfortunately, I often find the butcher has removed most of the fat. I guess people just don't want the fat when they are buying meat.
I try to find the one with the most fat still attached to the top of the loin roast. The fat offers a lot of flavor, but more importantly, it helps prevent the roast from drying out while it's roasting. Think of it as the fat is basting the roast while it cooks.
My top tips for making an oven roasted pork loin:
- Season Generously: Use a blend of garlic, herbs, and spices to coat the pork loin thoroughly. This ensures the seasoning penetrates the meat and enhances its flavor throughout.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To avoid overcooking, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Cook the pork loin until it reaches 145°F for a perfectly juicy and tender roast.
- Rest Before Slicing: Allow the pork loin to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat moist and flavorful.
Pork loin vs pork tenderloin
Pork loin and pork tenderloin are different cuts of meat from different areas of the pig. They sound similar, but they are cooked in different fashions.
Pork loin is usually wider and thicker and has a fat cap. It may also be called a center loin roast. A pork loin may sometimes have a bone-in.
Pork tenderloin is long and skinny and is always boneless.
If a tenderloin is cooked using the same method as a pork loin, it will become very dry. Use a boneless pork loin for this recipe.
Pork Loin Roast Ingredients

- Pork Loin Roast - Use a boneless pork loin roast. Find one with the fat cap intact and not trimmed off. This is not the same as a tenderloin!
- Olive Oil - Adds another layer of moisture and helps crisp up the outer layer
- Seasoning - Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and dried rubbed sage.
How To Cook Pork Loin Roast
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Combine all seasoning together in a bowl
- Rub the entire surface of the pork with olive oil
- Sprinkle seasonings all over the pork. Rub in with your hands. Make certain the seasonings cover all areas.


5. Place pork in an ungreased baking dish with fat side up
6. Bake for 60-75 minutes until pork is cooked through or reaches an internal temperature of 145-160°F
7. Remove roast from oven and cover loosely with foil and let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving

🌡️ Recommended temperature for pork
The USDA now recommends pork roasts may be cooked to 145°F with at least a 3-minute rest before cutting and consuming. This has changed from their previous recommendation of 160°F.
I have given a range of 145 - 160° F for those who prefer their pork a bit more cooked through. Use an Instant Read Thermometer to get an accurate temperature reading.
Roast Pork Loin Tips
- Be certain to cook with the fat side up
- Bake uncovered in a fully preheated 375°F oven
- If you want to add potatoes or vegetables to the pan, plan extra baking time. Use a pan large enough to hold everything so it's not overcrowded.
- Allow pork to rest after removing it from the oven. This helps make certain the juices are redistributed throughout the roast and don't run out when slicing. You get a juicier roast when you let it rest.
- The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast. Plan on 20-25 minutes per pound of meat.
- Always check your meat with an instant-read thermometer for an accurate temperature
Roast Pork Loin FAQs
Add a light coating of oil before baking. Bake fat side up. Use a meat thermometer to determine when the roast has reached an internal temperature between 145°F - 160°F. Allow roast to rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing.
When covered and refrigerated, cooked pork should be consumed within three to four days.
A 2-3 pound pork loin should be cooked in a preheated 375°F oven for 60-70 minutes until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145° - 165°F.
Serving suggestions
Over-roasted pork loin can be served with your favorite side dishes. Some suggestions include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Green beans
- Green beans with bacon
- Roasted brussels sprouts
- Green tomato relish - this is a delicious savory condiment we make that's perfect with the roast!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my delicious main dish recipes!

Roast Pork Loin Recipe
Equipment
- Glass Baking Dish 7x11
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds pork loin roast (not tenderloin)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon rubbed sage
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Combine all seasoning together in a bowl1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon rubbed sage, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Rub entire surface of pork with olive oil ( or vegetable oil)2-3 pounds pork loin roast, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sprinkle seasonings all over pork. Rub in with your hands. Make certain the seasonings cover all areas.
- Place pork in a ungreased baking dish with fat side up
- Bake for 60-75 minutes until pork is cooked through or reaches an internal temperature of 145-160°F
- Remove roast from oven and cover loosely with foil and let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving
Notes
- Be certain to cook with the fat side up
- Bake uncovered in a fully preheated 375°F oven
- If you want to add potatoes or vegetables to the pan, plan extra baking time. Use a pan large enough to hold everything so it's not overcrowded.
- Allow pork to rest after removing it from the oven. This helps make certain the juices are redistributed throughout the roast and don't run out when slicing. You get a juicier roast when you let it rest.
- The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast. Plan on 20-25 minutes per pound of meat.
- Always check your meat with an instant-read thermometer for an accurate temperature
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from On My Kids Plate.
Helena says
Made this last night. Simple and quick to prepare and came out delicious!! I also added some peeled sweet potatoes along with the yellow potatoes. My roast took about 50-60 min, it was 1 lb 9 oz. (I cut a large loin in 3 smaller roasts since it's just the 2 of us). Very flavorful and juicy. Thanks!! Looking forward to making this again for the other two, and maybe adding some carrots next time.
Kathy says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! The addition of the potatoes sounds perfect! 🙂
Jean S. says
I do have one comment. In the picture it shows Garlic Powder. However, in the ingredients list, it does not mention garlic powder. I added it anyway. Delicious
Kathy says
Oh my goodness!!! You are correct! The recipe should have 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. I'll make that correction. 🙂
Thanks so much for letting me know!
Jean S. says
This pork roast was the best I've ever had. It was tender and juicy. I've had pork roasts in the past but they were tough and dry. This was delicious. This will now become my go to recipe for pork loin. Thank you.
Kathy says
Wow!!! Thanks so much! 🙂