Ultimate Garlic Pork Loin Roast is an easy recipe with video for juicy, tender roasted pork loin. Perfect for weeknight meals and holidays!
Whether it’s Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops, or this delicious Garlic Roast Pork Loin, oven roasted Pork can be a busy weeknight Dinner or the Main Dish in a special occasion meal.
Looking to impress your guests with a dish that appears elaborate but is surprisingly easy to make? Look no further than the Ultimate Garlic Pork Loin Roast. This show-stopping yet effortless roast will leave everyone in awe, and you’ll enjoy the cost savings compared to a pricier Perfect Garlic Prime Rib for a holiday feast. Whether you’re seeking the best cooking methods, roasting techniques, accompanying dishes, or seasoning tips, this recipe is the ultimate way to cook a 4 lb pork loin in the oven.
This Ultimate Garlic Pork Loin Roast is a breeze to prepare and requires minimal time investment. The magic lies in the choice of meat: a boneless, center-cut pork loin. Unlike its tenderloin counterpart, this cut comes with its own built-in baster thanks to a thin layer of fat on top. By boldly seasoning with fresh garlic and utilizing this fat cap, you’ll create a wonderfully flavorful and succulent meal with a crispy seasoned crust.
Some suggestions for accompanying dishes with Pork Loin Roast are to keep them mildly seasoned so they don’t clash with the garlic flavor and delicate, succulent meat. Think cozy, comforting sides like Mashed Potatoes or Mac and Cheese, plus some fresh Roasted Broccoli. Even a light Beet Salad would be perfect with this amazing Garlic Pork Loin Roast.
What is the difference between pork loin and pork loin roast?
The term “pork loin” typically refers to the cut of meat itself, which is a long and relatively lean section of the pig located along the back. It can be sold boneless or bone-in. On the other hand, “pork loin roast” specifically denotes a preparation method where the pork loin is roasted in the oven or cooked in a similar manner, often seasoned or marinated. In other words, pork loin roast refers to the cooked and seasoned version of the pork loin cut, highlighting its preparation style rather than just the cut of meat itself.
How to Make Ultimate Garlic Pork
- Prep: Preheat the oven. Place the pork loin in a roasting pan (or baking pan with high sides) with the thick fat layer side up.
- Season: Cover the fat cap with garlic. Mix the salt, pepper and paprika together and rub into the meat. To have seasonings adhere even more, score the top with your knife in an x pattern. You don’t have to cut very deeply, just enough to create grooves the seasonings can sit in.
- Roast: Roast the pork until it reaches an internal temperature of 150-160 degrees, about 60-70 minutes. Let meat rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Delicious Side Dishes for Pork
FAQs about Ultimate Garlic Pork Loin Roast
You can certainly make Pork Loin Roast in the slow cooker! There are instructions in this post or you can try these other slow cooker Pork Loin recipes. This one is wrapped in bacon to make a Slow Cooker Bacon Garlic Pork Loin, or you can try making Slow Cooker Honey Apple Pork Loin where the pork is stuffed with sliced apples.
The National Pork Board recommends cooking to an internal temperature between 145-160 degrees. This is a perfectly safe temperature to cook to even though it used to be higher in the past. Since you are cooking a roast here and it will continue to cook through once outside the oven, you can aim for 150-155 degrees and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
To cook a pork loin roast safely, the cooking time is roughly 25 minutes per pound at 375 degrees for up to 4 pounds. For how long to cook a 4 lb pork loin in the oven it’s about 1 hour 45 minutes, up to 2 hours. If you are cooking a roast that’s 5-10 pounds, reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook for about 10 minutes per pound.
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Key Ingredients
- Pork Loin: Center-cut pork loin is a tender, juicy cut of meat that is ideal for roasting. Pork loin roast is much larger and fattier than pork tenderloin so it stays juicy and flavorful with longer cooking time.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is the perfect robust and aromatic seasoning for pork loin roast. Since this is the Ultimate Garlic Pork Loin Roast, there is plenty of pungent, fresh garlic!
- Salt: Kosher salt aids in tenderizing the meat and brings out the natural saltiness of the pork.
- Pepper: Coarse ground black pepper adds a subtle spiciness and warmth to the seasoning.You want to use fresh ground pepper for the best flavor.
- Paprika: Paprika is a spice made from ground dried peppers. It adds a mild, sweet, and slightly smoky flavor to the roasted pork.
Can Garlic Pork Loin Roast be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this Garlic Roast Pork Loin recipe ahead of time to save prep time and cooking time. You can use the slow cooking method (below) in the morning so it’s ready to go by dinner time. You can also rub the spices into the pork and chill it for up to 2 days in the fridge before cooking.
Variations
- Aromatics: Add some aromatic vegetables to this pork loin recipe like onions, celery, carrots, whole garlic cloves, etc. Chop onions and other vegetables into large pieces and sprinkle them around the roasting pan without crowding the piece of meat.
- Apples: Apples and pork are a natural pairing with the sweet, fruity apples complimenting the salty, succulent pork. Add 3-4 tart green apples, quartered, to the baking pan then you can serve the baked apples as a quick and easy side dish.
- Herb-Crusted: Create a flavorful herb crust by combining minced garlic with a mixture of fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Season the meat as usual then coat with herb mix before roasting.
- Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin: Wrap the pork loin with strips of bacon before roasting, and bake on a wire rack in the pan so the roast isn’t sitting in grease while cooking. Bacon adds a smoky flavor and keeps the meat moist.
Slow Cooker Ultimate Garlic Pork Loin Roast
- Place a 3-4 pound pork loin in the slow cooker.
- Rub minced garlic on top of the pork loin.
- In a small bowl combine paprika, salt, and fresh ground pepper.
- Rub the blend of seasonings all over the pork.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook pork loin for approximately 6-8 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the pork loin from the cooker and let the meat rest for 10 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.
Instant Pot Ultimate Garlic Pork Loin Roast
- Add a tablespoon olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn on Saute function.
- When the oil is hot, sear a 2.5-3 pound pork loin on all sides until browned.
- Remove the pork from the pot and set it aside.
- Add minced garlic to the pot and saute for a minute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Deglaze the pot with 2 cups chicken broth and add the wire rack.
- In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, and paprika. Season meat with spices.
- Place the pork fat side up on the rack.
- Securely close the lid and set the pressure release valve to the sealing position.
- Manually cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes.
- Quick release pressure and let pork loin rest for 5-10 minutes before serving in individual slices.
More Roasted Pork Recipes
How to Store
- Store: Let the Garlic Pork Loin Roast cool down, then seal it in an airtight container to store in the fridge for up to 4 days. This pork dish should be stored after no more than 2 hours at room temperature.
- Reheat: The best way to reheat leftover pork loin roast is heat up 3-4 slices at at time in a skillet with some chicken broth. Cook over medium heat and flip occasionally until the meat is heated through so that meat doesn’t burn or dry out.
- Freeze: Once the meat has cooled completely, wrap with plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container. It will stay good for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating the pork as directed above.
Ingredients
- 3 pound pork loin , not tenderloin
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Add the pork loin to your baking pan.
- Coat with the garlic on top of the fat cap.
- Mix the seasonings (salt, pepper and paprika) in small bowl and rub it on the pork.
- Cook the pork for 60-75 minutes or until it has reached a temperature of 150-160 degrees.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for five minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition
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I made this, but mixed the garlic, pepper, and paprika with honey, mustard powder, and a bit of cayenne, then slathering that on top. Came out gorgeous! The top chars a bit, but tastes great.
My pork loin is “lean” – without the fat cap. Should I make any adjustments since there isn’t the fat to melt into the meat?
You could always add bacon to the top to make up for the fat content.
I liked the flavor but pork always seems to dry for me and my fam. What gravy do you suggest using for this recipe? Pan dripping were at a minimal and burnt up and the sides of the pot so I couldn’t make anything from that. I like the gravy from pan drippings so I am wondering what I can add in the pot to make the gravy after cooking.
You can always add broth to the pan drippings and scrape the sides to infuse the flavor.
Can I use this recipe for my 2 1/2 lb pork loin tenderloin?
No, a tenderloin is very different than a pork loin roast. Sorry.
Putting the seasoning on top of fat, does it flavor the meat after its roasted
I’ve made this recipe a bunch times now with minor seasoning changes depending on what I’m eating it with. I decided to make it again today as I’ve been getting over the flu. (Not Coronavirus)
I hope you’re on the mend.
Thank you for an outstanding recipe, Sabrina! I followed it exactly. I was even able to make a light, tasty gravy, although the drippings rendered were scant. The addition of quartered apples was surprisingly delicious. I peeled the apples, but wondered if leaving the peel on would have helped maintain their shape? Definitely, I will be making this again!
Do you roast it on middle rack or bottom rack of oven
middle
Recipe & comments look amazing!
Can I use a bone-in pork loin ?
Would that change the cooking time or temperature, please?
Hoping to make tonight for guests!
Thank you !
Yes, though bone-in pork loins take slightly less cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145 degrees f. Enjoy!
Thank you for great recipe.
I cooked pork roast as per your instruction and it was THE VERY BEST PORK ROAST EVER.
I shall try more of your recipes in the future.
So glad to hear, Vilma.
Hello Sabrina,
I’m cooking a whole pork loin. I cook at 350 for 35mins per pound or 10 mins per pound? I’m assuming 10 mins longer, correct? Excited to make this dish! Thank you!
Wow Sabrina, was this pork loin roast ever good. We really enjoyed it prepared this way. I made it exactly as written and wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe. My 4 pound roast was crisp and flavorful on the outside; tender, juicy and delicious on the inside. A beautiful pairing with buttery mashed potatoes and sweet tender carrots.
You’re welcome. Thanks for the 5 star rating.
This was delicious! Thank you
You’re welcome
Just making sure before I hopefully make this tomorrow. I don’t trim any of the fat cap off right?
You want a thin layer of fat cap on the pork. Enjoy!
Hi Sabrina
Do you cover the roast while baking in the oven ? Also do you add broth or bake it dry ?|
You’ll cook it uncovered and only use the ingredients listed in the recipe card. No liquid is needed. Enjoy!
Can you prepare it this way then cook on a gas grill using a rotisserie and an infrared burner?
I’ve not tested it before so if you decide to try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks!
I have been marinading the pork loin in a mixture of appke sauce, garlic and parsley. Marinating for me means rolling in the mixture encasing in a sheet of clear wrap overnight. Bringing it to room temp, unwrapping before roasting at 350 for 20 minutes. Then I add whole onions, veg, apples and garlic to the pan and roast another 30 minutes. rest 15 minutes before slicing.
The roasted veg always gets eaten, even by my “no veggies please.’’ Me ‘just the usual then—four bites of each veg, plus potatoes if you want.’’
Sounds amazing!
Do you use a smoked or sweet paprika?
You can use either but I used sweet. Enjoy!
Looked to easy to be true, but was excellent!
Don’t you just love it when it turns out that way?! Thanks so much for the 5 stars.
I was looking for a quick/easy recipe for pork loin and stumbled on this one. The glowing reviews did not disappoint. Simple ingredients, yet resulted in a very moist, tasty, and flavorful pork loin!!! I will definitely make again!!!!! So good! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
You’re welcome, Van! Thanks for the 5 stars.
I was so disappointed with my pork loin. It was very dry. It had an okay taste. I’m making another one.
I am making a 7 and 3/4 lb. pork loin. What do you suggest as the temperature and time. Thank you for your help
You’ll want to cook it at 350 degrees for 10 min/lb. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness as ovens may vary. Enjoy!
I am confused. Your original recipe said to cook the 3 lb roast for 60-75 minutes which is about 20-25 minutes a lb yet you told this lady 10 minutes a pound…does the size of the loin make a difference?
Yes, if your pork loin is around 8-10 pounds, you’ll want to reduce to 350 degrees and cook for about 10 minutes per pound.
I’ve made this twice now and we love it! I remove it from the oven at the current (Dec 2019) USDA recommended temp of 145 (150 max) and it’s juicy and tender. My husband isn’t a big garlic fan but his favorite part is the top fat with all the seasonings. This will be added to the rotation of regular meals.
I searched for a simple pork loin roast recipe and scrolled through hundreds of recipes until I finally found exactly what I was looking for. I made this for dinner and it was perfect! The dry rub was precisely the flavors that I knew would compliment the pork loin and I even used the drippings to make a quick sauce after roasting it that I drizzled over the thick cuts of pork to enhance the crispy tops of each serving. It was so delicious with the rainbow carrots and potatoes I roasted with the pork loin. Thanks for sharing and this will definitely be my “go to” every time I make a pork loin roast! My family loved it! Fabulousness!
You’re so welcome. Thank you for your kind review and your sides sound delicious!
This sounds divine and exactly what I’ve been looking for, simple but delish. I’m new to pork loin, only ever cooked tenderloin on the regular before. My boyfriend is a pork fanatic and stocks up on 5 pound loins when they go on sale. I never know what to do with them at that size. THANK YOU!
I made this recipe but cooked it in the Instant Pot. It was delicious. I can’t wait to make it again. Never had my pork loin come out so moist and tender. Thank you for posting it.
Thanks for the feedback! So glad it worked out well.
I’m making two full loin roasts. One is about 8 lbs the other is about 6lbs. 350 and 1 hr for one hr
and twenty for the other? Does it matter that I’m cooking them together? Same oven different pans?
As long as they are in separate pans, it should be fine. The most important thing is that their internal temperature reaches the safe amount. Keep in mind that more in the oven will bring the temp down slightly and affect cooking times.
This was AMAZING! I have made loins before, but this recipe was delicious. All of my family agreed.
I dry rubbed a 3-4 lb roast this morning and used about a tablespoon of garlic powder, chili powder instead of paprika ( was out) and then wrapped it in plastic wrap until time to cook it. I I wedged 2 apples (should have used 2 more) and peeled them and then added carrots to the pan just before cooking. Cooked almost and hour at 375° then turned off the oven to let the roast rest. Took it out 20 min later sliced it, stirred the apples and carrots in the juices and served it right away. We had yellow baking potatoes too. So good! Will absolutely make again!
Yum! Sounds like it came out delicious!
Can I use this recipe oven tempt and cook time on a pork sirloin roast ? I think a loin roast is not as thick.
It should be about the same amount of cook time. Just make sure you check the internal temperature to see if it’s fully cooked.
Sooo easy and tasty!!! Definitely a keeper. I have a convection oven. Baking time was only 40 minutes for me.
So glad it turned out! And love that it was so quick!
If I am to roast the apples with the pork, would I just continue with a regular apple sauce recipe afterwards? Looking forward to making this for dinner, thank you 🙂
So sorry I didn’t see this earlier. I would say yes to that. Hope it was good!
I have a pork center cut loin filet 1.70 lbs. whats your recommendation for time and temperature for the oven. Internal temperature would be the same of course, 145 to 160 degrees
You should cook it for roughly 25 minutes per pound of the loin. Hope this helps!
Just want to confirm… there is no oil of any kind used, right? Just the dry ingredients and the pork?
You got it! Just the dry rub and the pork 🙂 Let me know how it turns out.
we are 2 single guys who work a ton and refuse to eat crap or fast food. your ultimate pork loin roast was both easy and delicious. Apples were great with it along with baby carrots. I plan to work through many of your recipes without the need to look further! Thanks Sabrina.
Kudos to you bachelors treating yourself to healthy homemade food! So glad you liked it and can’t wait to hear how other recipes go!
I have this prepped & ready to go. I will be adding potatoes carrots and onions around the roast. Should I still leave it in an open pan or should I cover it? Really looking forward to trying this out, thanks in advance
Sorry I didn’t see this until today. I would leave it uncovered but increase the baking time to account for the veggies. If you’ve already made, hope it turned out well!
I’m out of Paprika and the store is too far, what other spice might you recommend instead? Can’t wait to try this tonight!
You can substitute with cayenne though it’s a bit hotter than paprika. Chili powder will be another option that’s not as hot as cayenne but still hotter than paprika. Good luck!
Im about to try this, but I see that other recipes put the roast on a rack. Should it cook in the pan or on a rack and what would the difference be?
Sorry I didn’t see this until now. I hope it came out okay. On this recipe I don’t find the rack necessary so I just cook in the pan. Some cuts need that circulation under the meat to cook evenly but not this recipe. Hope this helps.
Sabrina, I need to cook 2 whole loins (about 10 lb each). Should they be cooked at 350 for 10 minutes per pound?
I haven’t cooked 2 that size in the same oven so I can’t give a solid recommendation. I think if you try it, make sure they are on the same rack and if in the same pan they are not touching. The cook time is about right, may take a little longer. Cooking until temp of meat is 145 degrees is the most important part. Let me know how it turns out!
Katie,
Let me know how this turned out for you. I need to do the same thing or maybe a little bigger for October 7th. Looking to feed about 25-30 people.
Thanks
Hello. Does the time change for a Pork Loin Center Roast with the bone in? Or is it the same as your recipe calls for since yours looks boneless. Thank you in advance!
Typically boneless and bone-in pork will cook the same time. Make sure you check the temperature just to be safe though. It should be 145-160 deg when done.
Can I cook the garlic pork loin in the oven? At what temperature and for how long?
The recipe above is written for the oven, be sure to check out the recipe card part for instructions. Sorry for any confusion.
I put the seasonings on a roast, wrapped it up and froze it for two months. I thawed it out, put it in a covered casserole dish and baked it for 75 minutes. It was delicious and so simple. I think freezing it and thawing it gave the seasons more time to flavor of the meat. I will definitely make this recipe again.
super easy, really good, thanks for sharing whole family a fan and great in Ramen
Maybe I am the oddball here but this recipe did not turn out well at all. The pork turned out tough and dry and didn’t have much flavor. Only parts of the top were crispy also.
Because you cooked it way too long. This recipe looks good on paper but and the ingredients are great but I cooked mine for much much shorter of a time.
I didn’t use a timer at all, just a temperature gauge. I took it out the moment it hit 160 and it was perfect!
Always cook to temp not time. Be perfect every time.
3 words… Oh my goodness!
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed it .
Don’t have paprika is there anything else I can substitute it with ??
You can use the same amount of ancho powder or chipotle powder or just a pinch of cayenne pepper. Hope this helps!
Do you cook this covered or uncovered?
Uncovered 🙂
THIS WAS DELICIOUS!! my roast was 2.75 pounds and I cooked it for one hour. It came out perfect. It was so juicy and flavorful. Thank you so much ?
Delicious! And sooooooo easy! Actually did this on the grill this evening and turned out perfectly!
My 2.5 pound roast took 1 hou 20 minutes in the Advantium on convection to reach 150 F.
I made this almost exactly as written and it was juicy and tasty with an appealing brown top (although not exactly crusty). I rubbed the spice mixture first then topped the roast with garlic. Put it in a 400 degree oven and turned down to 375 after about 10 minutes. Used my meat thermometer as a guide and when it reached 145 ran it under the broiler on the second rung for maybe 3 minutes for more color. Served with mashed potatoes and green beans. I had (pessimistically) heated up some mushroom gravy in case it was dry or too pale to look appetizing, but I put the gravy away and just served the meat with the juices. Thank for the easy recipe!
You’re welcome, Carol.
Did you cover when baking?
No 🙂
Garlic 1st then seasoning fpr crisp
Cooked on grill, in a grill pan, surrounded by potatoes and carrots and onions, seasoned with olive oil and the same spice. Cooked about 1.5 hrs. Perfect. Juicy. Tasty. Delicious.
Thank you
First time making , and i have a 2.99 pound pork loin…i see the temps and time really vary on the size! Please help. How long and what temp should I cook this little guy 🙂
You’ll want to set the oven for 375 degrees. It might only take around 20-25 minutes. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Enjoy!
Hands down the BEST pork loin recipe. I normally make this once a week, and it is always a hit. The most tender “roast” I’ve ever made! And I’ve made a lot! A few tweaks I’ve found useful…I double the seasoning just because we like a bolder flavor. And I generally cook 15 minutes per lb. to start because the time will vary based on the thickness of your pork loin. The “rounder” the loin, the longer the time. After my original cook time, I check the internal temp and cook a little longer if needed. This recipe will not disappoint!!
Thanks so much Alice!
What would you serve with the roast?
Roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes or even creamed spinach. 🙂 You can do a search for any of these recipes on the site. Enjoy!
This was awesome! I tried it in the crockpot instead of the oven and it worked!
I tried this last night for my husband, “the chef”. He loved it! The garlic permeated the house during the first 30 minutes and I started to wonder if it would overwhelm. Not at all! I did tweak it by using my salt with rosemary combo. I would do this again.
I’m so glad to hear you all loved it.
I wasn’t impressed. The meat was nice and tender but there was no browning of the bacon or caramelization of the sugar. I’m not sure why I thought either of those things would happen in a slow cooker, but I gave it a shot anyways. Maybe it would be good in the oven, but I would definitely not do this in the slow cooker again. I did broil after to crisp the bacon, but the sugar had already melted off to the bottom of the crock pot so that flavor was lost. Also, I ended up using the crock pot and a baking sheet. That makes it a less than simple meal to me! I will try it in the oven next time, it has potential.
Try slits in your aluminum foil. It worked for me on the chrispness of the bacon. Just try , worked for me? hope it helps
Are you in the right recipe? There’s no bacon or sugar in the ingredients list.
This is absolutely the best way to roast a pork loin. So delicious, so simple! Thanks so much, Sabrina!
I cut my tenderloin in half, so it’s only 1.5-2 lb. Should I change the temp/cooking time?
I wouldn’t recommend using a tenderloin for this recipe. Sorry.
You are in the wrong recipe….this is for Garlic Pork Loin which has no bacon or sugar and is cooked in the oven. I believe you mean to be in the recipe shown on this page’s links as “Slow Cooker Bacon Garlic Pork Loin.”