Recipe

Earthy Pork Loin Roast

A savory, herb-forward pork loin roast with crisp edges, a cozy pan sauce, and big Sunday-dinner energy using weeknight-friendly ingredients.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A sliced pork loin roast on a wooden cutting board with rosemary and thyme, surrounded by roasted mushrooms and onions in a cast iron skillet

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Some dinners just feel like you’ve got your life together. This earthy pork loin roast is one of those. It’s got a garlicky herb crust, a little mustardy zip, and a pan sauce that tastes like you simmered it for hours, even though you absolutely didn’t.

We’re leaning into deep, cozy flavors here: mushrooms, thyme, rosemary, a splash of broth, and just enough tang to keep every bite interesting. Pork loin is naturally lean, so the game is simple: season boldly, roast smart, and pull it before it dries out. You’ll end up with juicy slices, crisp edges, and a skillet full of savory goodness to spoon over everything.

Raw pork loin on a sheet pan being rubbed with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and mustard

Why It Works

Earthy, savory flavor without fancy ingredients: common herbs, mushrooms, and broth do the heavy lifting.
Juicy pork, not dry pork: a quick sear plus roasting to temperature keeps it tender.
Pan sauce built right in: those browned bits in the skillet turn into a glossy, spoonable sauce in minutes.
Great for leftovers: slices reheat well and make excellent sandwiches, grain bowls, and quick fried rice.

Pairs Well With

Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Lemon Green Beans
Buttered Egg Noodles
Arugula Salad with Parmesan

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Cool sliced pork and mushrooms, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep any pan sauce separate if you can so you can rewarm and spoon it over the pork.

Freeze: Freeze slices in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Add a little sauce or broth before sealing to help prevent dryness. Best within 2 months.

Reheat without drying out: Warm slices in a skillet with a splash of broth or water, covered, over low heat until just heated through. Or microwave at 50 percent power in short bursts with a spoonful of sauce.

Leftover move: Thin-slice the pork and pile it into toasted rolls with mayo, mustard, and a handful of arugula. Five-minute restaurant energy.

Common Questions

What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin?

Pork loin is wider and larger, often sold as a 2 to 4 pound roast. It is lean and great for roasting and slicing. Pork tenderloin is smaller and cooks much faster. This recipe is written for pork loin, not tenderloin.

What temperature should I cook pork loin to?

For juicy slices, pull the roast at 140°F to 145°F in the thickest part, then rest 10 to 15 minutes. Resting brings it to a safe final temp and keeps the juices in the meat.

Do I have to sear the pork first?

You don’t have to, but I highly recommend it. Searing builds flavor fast, gives you better color, and leaves browned bits in the pan that turn into an instantly better sauce.

Can I make this without mushrooms?

Yes. Swap in diced onions and a couple chopped carrots, or use fennel for a slightly sweet, roasty vibe. The method stays the same.

My pork loin always turns out dry. What am I doing wrong?

Usually it’s one of three things: the oven runs hot, the roast is overcooked past 145°F, or it’s sliced too soon. Use a meat thermometer and give it a full rest before slicing.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Oven-safe skillet (12-inch cast iron or stainless steel) or a roasting pan
Instant-read meat thermometer
Cutting board and sharp knife
Tongs
Measuring spoons

I love big, cozy roasts, but I’m not interested in recipes that require a special shopping trip or three hours of babysitting. This is my kind of “impress everyone but keep it chill” dinner: pork loin because it’s accessible, mushrooms because they make everything taste more expensive, and a fast pan sauce because I refuse to let browned bits go to waste. The first time I made this, I meant to save leftovers for meal prep. I didn’t. The skillet got scraped clean and I took that as a compliment.

Earthy Pork Loin Roast

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

1 pork loin roast (2.5 to 3 pounds)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (plus more to taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but great)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 cloves garlic, grated or minced
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
12 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (optional, adds depth)
1 tablespoon butter (optional for a glossy sauce)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (to finish)

Optional garnish: chopped parsley or extra thyme.

Note: Using garlic powder in the sear rub prevents the crust from turning bitter. The fresh garlic goes in after the sear.

Instructions

Heat the oven: Preheat to 400°F. Pat the pork loin dry with paper towels. Dry meat browns better, and browning is flavor.
Season for the sear: In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika (if using), garlic powder, Dijon, and 1 tablespoon olive oil into a paste. Rub it all over the pork loin. (Hold the fresh garlic for later so it doesn’t scorch.)
Sear for crisp edges: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sear the pork for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, including the ends, until browned. Transfer pork to a plate.
Brown the mushrooms and onions: Reduce heat to medium. Add mushrooms and onion to the empty skillet. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their liquid and start to brown. (If the pan looks dry, add a small splash of oil.) Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute to caramelize it slightly.
Build the sauce base: Pour in chicken broth and Worcestershire (if using), scraping up any browned bits. Simmer 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the fresh garlic, then roast: Stir the fresh garlic into the mushroom mixture (so it mellows instead of burns). Nestle the pork back into the skillet. Transfer to the oven and roast until the thickest part hits 140°F to 145°F, about 30 to 40 minutes depending on thickness.
Rest the pork: Move the pork to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
Finish the pan sauce: While the pork rests, place the skillet on the stove over medium heat. Simmer the mushroom mixture for 3 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Swirl in butter (optional) and finish with vinegar or lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Slice and serve: Slice the pork against the grain. Spoon mushrooms and sauce over the top. Serve with mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, or whatever carb is ready to catch that sauce.

Tip: If the sauce reduces too much, add another splash of broth or water. If it’s too thin, simmer a few minutes longer. You’re in charge here.

Nutrition information is estimated.

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