How To Make Easy Pork Loin Roast cooked with the most incredible Honey Garlic Butter Sauce! Oven and slow cooker methods included for an easy dinner idea.
Our Pork Loin recipe is simple to throw together and impressive enough to feed your guests. Whether you choose a crock pot OR your oven, this ‘no-stress’ recipe will give you the most incredible roast ready and on the table in no time!
Inspired by our amazing Honey Garlic Butter Pork Chops, our pork loin recipe is another easy dinner recipe to rock your world.
PORK LOIN RECIPE
Skinless and boneless pork loin NEEDS a good sauce, being that it is a lean cut of meat. Cooking it in a deep flavoured Honey Garlic Butter Sauce is PERFECT and gives you the ideal sauce to serve it with!
Apart from the tender pork meat, the sauce is truly memorable — a dinner that you will be thinking about long after the leftovers have disappeared.
Make sure you get a good quality cut of Pork Loin for this recipe. Not to be confused with pork tenderloin, pork loin is a thicker and wider cut usually found with a fatty layer on top. Pork Tenderloin is long and a lot thinner (see this recipe here for reference).
HOW LONG DO YOU COOK A PORK LOIN ROAST
This pork loin recipe needs three steps before giving you an incredible tasting pork:
- SEASON: Seasoned in a delicious rub with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, optional red chili powder and brown sugar for caramelization. Pat meat dry with paper towel first so that the seasoning sticks and absorbs better.
- SEAR: Where the DEEP flavour begins.
- COOK!
Slow cooking pork loin in a crock pot at a low temperature is perfect and isn’t going to dry out or ruin your pork.
2 pounds (1 kg): 3 1/2 hours on low
3-5 pounds (1 1/2 – 2 1/2 kg): 4-5 hours on low
6 pounds (3kg): 6 hours on low
Oven roast pork loin covered for the first half hour which results in steaming/braising the meat. Then roast uncovered to get some beautiful charred/caramelized edges thanks to the brown sugar in the rub and the honey in the sauce.
SAUCE
Made with mouthwatering pan juices left in the slow cooker or baking pan when its done. This pork recipe creates its own stock while cooking, mixing through the honey garlic sauce to create some magnificent flavours.
Honey, unsalted butter, low sodium soy sauce, rice with vinegar (or cider vinegar), and a good kick of garlic is all you need. We use low sodium to better control how salty we want the end result.
This recipe makes SO MUCH SAUCE to drizzle all over rice, noodles, veggies and potatoes.
WHAT INTERNAL TEMPERATURE SHOULD PORK LOIN BE COOKED?
The National Pork Board recommends cooking pork loin, chops, roasts and tenderloin to an internal temperature of 145° F (62°C), followed by a 15-minute rest.
HOW TO MAKE PORK LOIN AHEAD OF TIME
Pork and sauce can be prepared up to 1 day ahead:
- Pour sauce over seared/browned pork (store in your slow cooker bowl, baking pan or a large, shallow dish).
- Cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
- If preparing more than 12 hours ahead, keep the sauce in separate dish.
- Slow cook or roast as per recipe.
LEFTOVERS
Refrigerate with the sauce for up to 3 days, or freeze for 3 months. The sauce soaks through the pork while stored and tastes even better the next day!
MORE PORK RECIPES
Pork Chops With Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Crispy Pork Carnitas
Pork Roast With Crackle
Sticky Pork Ribs
Spinach Stuffed Pork Chops
Pork Loin Roast Recipe
Ingredients
PORK LOIN:
- 4-5 pound (2-2.5 kg) pork loin roast, trimmed of skin and fat
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
RUB:
- 2 teaspoons paprika (mild or smoked)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder
- 1/2-1 teaspoon red chili powder, (optional)
- 2 teaspoons coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black cracked pepper
HONEY GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE:
- 1/2 cup (6-oz | 170 g) honey
- 1/2 cup (125 g | 4-oz) unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chppped or minced
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, (or cider vinegar)
- Good pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
ADDITIONAL:
- 1/2 cup low sodium stock (or broth), beef or chicken
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch (cornflour)
Instructions
PORK LOIN:
- Pat dry pork with paper towel. Combine 1 tablespoon of oil with rub ingredients. Season pork, rubbing the mixture into the meat.
- Heat remaining oil (about 2 teaspoons) in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Sear pork all over until golden browned, rotating the pork around to avoid spices burning.
SAUCE:
- Melt butter in the same pan the pork was in while scraping up any leftover bits in the pan. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in remaining sauce ingredients; bring to a rapid simmer for 1 minute.
SLOW COOK:
- Place seared pork in a 6-qt (litre) slow cooker. Pour sauce over pork; cover with lid and cook on LOW heat setting for 4 - 5 hours.
- Transfer pork onto serving dish and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 10-15 minutes.
- While pork is resting: pour juices from the slow cooker bowl into a pot large enough to fit the liquid. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of the juices with 4 teaspoons of cornstarch (cornflour). Whisk cornstach slurry into sauce and let simmer for a good 5 minutes, or until thickend into a syrup-like consistency. (For a thicker sauce, repeat this step with 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water. Add into sauce and cook until thickened (please note: sauce will thicken as it cools). Continue this step until reaching your desired consistency.)
- Slice pork and serve drizzled with Honey Garlic Butter Sauce.
OVEN ROAST:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place seared/browned seasoned pork in a roasting pan.
- Prepare sauce, as above. Reserve 1/2 cup sauce for basting. Pour remaining sauce over pork.
- Add in 1/2 cup stock and 1/2 cup water around the pork.
- Cover and roast for 20 minutes. Baste with half of the reserved sauce and continue roasting, uncovered, for a further 15 minutes. Baste again and roast for a further 10-15 minutes, until a meat thermometer registers 145°F (62.5°C) in the thickest part(If pan dries out while cooking (it shouldn't), add a little more water.)
- Transfer pork onto serving plate and baste with pan juices. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes..
- Scrape up any browned bits leftover in the pan, mixing them through the pan juices and pour juices into a pot. Whisk in cornstarch/stock and water mixture and bring to a simmer. Slowly add in 1/4 cup water, whisk, then add a nother 1/4 cup if needed, until reaching a honey-like consistency. (Please note: sauce will thicken as it cools).
- Slice pork and drizzle with Honey Garlic Butter Sauce.
Debbie says
Love this recipe! It’s delicious.
Madi says
Amazing recipe! I made this for my family and they all absolutely loved it! I will be adding to my recipe collection. The pork wasn’t dry but was very tender and juicy to my surprise! Easy to make for a dinner party.
Zina says
This turned out great, it makes alot so it will feed many people. Very delicious!
Erik johnson says
Fantastic recipe! Juicy and tender, I dry rubbed mine and wrapped with cling wrap in the refrigerator over night.
Jenny says
I am the worst in cooking pork tenderloin. I had a 5lb loin. I came across your recipe. I did it. Wow, I went across my kitchen saying I’m a great cook. thank you – I’ll be using your recipe from now on. My daughter wants this for Christmas dinner lol
Sandra Miller says
Made this yesterday for a holiday gathering and everyone loved it!! I used only half smoked paprika cause I’m not a huge fan of the smoke flavor and half regular Spanish paprika. I had tenderloins in the fridge, so used them in the slow cooker. Substituted red pepper flakes for chili powder at the lower amount which added a great kick but not too much. Took only a few hours in the cooker on high and the sauce was wonderful.
Rebekah says
I’ve never made pork anything before (I was a vegetarian for 20 years). I made this for my family and they went nuts. My husband is a bbq master and I surprised him with this — he said it’s absolutely the best tenderloin he’s ever had! Thank you!
Karina says
Aw Rebekah, you’re most welcome! I’m so so happy to read your comment! Thank you for sharing ❤️
Patty says
LOVED IT! And so did everyone in my family. That’s a first!
Esther says
Cooked for dinner today. My husband and son loved it. Delicious1
Melanie Barrett says
I prepared this for our lunch today, and everyone was raving about it! I now plan to have it for a larger family dinner in a few weeks!
Yolani says
Delicious! Great recipe. Easy, and a fantastic result. Please don’t inform the calorie count, not interested! 😉
Karen Panzica says
Excellent roast! Everyone from toddlers to teen to husband loved it, especially the gravy. Used all chicken stock instead of water. Served with fresh green beans, rolls and spaghetti squash baked with butter, maple syrup and parmesan cheese. Great! Will be sure and try more of your recipes.
Denise says
This was terrific. I used the oven to make it and the cooking time was a bit more than an hour. We loved the sauce. The recipe is a keeper. I baked sweet potatoes in the oven with this and it made a great side for the meal.
Shari Altman says
That sauce is amazingly delicious. Glad I made extra – now have some to pour on other dishes. I will definitely make again. We had with a green salad and roasted half moon slices of delicata squash.
jennifer d says
It was very good, my daughter says this is one of the best sauces with pork she has had (its a keeper, in other words!). However, I can’t but help wonder how it might be enhanced by the addition of fresh ginger, and in what proportions?
Jo gunderson says
Delish my ten year old loved it too
Zina says
THE BEST PORK RECIPE EVER. MY KIDS HAD SECONDS. THANK YOU.
Lisa Marie Mocarski says
My husband is a very picky eater, and rarely tries anything new. I made this recipe tonight for dinner, and much to my surprise, he loved it! I used my crock pot and was so pleased with how tender the roast turned out. The flavor of the sauce was perfect! Thank you so much for bringing a new recipe into our rotation!
Laura says
Ah-MAZ-ing!!! Truly, the best pork loin I have ever made. It was moist and delicious, wowed our guests, and the flavors were outstanding. That sauce!!! I am now pouring through your other recipes! Thank you for my new go to pork!
Christine Smiley says
Just made this today. Absolutely delicious!! Whole family loved it. Used the slow cooker method. Didn’t add the chili powder. But did add ginger to the sauce. Served with rice and a side of asparagus. Will definitely make this again… and again.
Fritz A. says
Great! I have fixed this a number of times and it is still a crowd pleaser. I like to cut the butter and honey in half, that way I can use the extra sauce for a gravy on mashed potatoes.
denise chase says
I was going to quit buying pork loin. This is one of the best dinners I’ve made in months. Thank you!!
Pat says
Made it in the crockpot. FABULOUS!!!
Brenda Eichelberg says
I loved it but the menfolk didn’t like the sauce. Their loss!
Linda says
I do a lot of first time recipe cooking for a group of six people that have come
together in Sarasota, Florida.
This is by far the most amazing tasting pork loin I have ever made and can’t wait
to have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Kudos!!
Pete Bowyer says
This was a fantastic roast dinner considering it wasn’t tenderloin. I only had half the roast size so I cut back on the rub but probably should have kept it the same.
I had a serious brain-fart moment and blended both the sauce mix and the additional liquids and corn starch all at the same time, so the various bastings were directly from the pan.
My wife said it was the best pork roast we’ve had in a long time .. I agreed.
This is going into my regular recipes list.
Thanks for this recipe.
Jackie says
I didn’t have time to cook in a slow cooker so I baked mine and it was delicious. I didn’t have honey so used pure maple syrup instead. I also cut back on garlic in the sauce and didn’t thicken the sauce. I would make it again the same way. Super easy recipe.
Darcey says
I’m making this tonight in my instant pot. Has anyone else done this? Hopefully it turns out the way everyone else expected it too! I will update after my wife gets home and eats…
Kathy Conn says
Bravo! Thus is hands down the best pork loin I have ever had. The recipe made so much sauce that I am going to freeze it for other things.
Susan B says
Just finished dinner. This pork loin recipe is great. My other half, who almost never eats gravy, covered his pork with it. That says a lot! Used the crock pot, which made it very east to make. I was unsure about the honey (normally don’t care for sweet meat), but trusted you and it was delicious! I also have to tell you I have never tried anything from your website that wasn’t absolutely delicious.
Margo says
I have tried many different recipes from different blogs – but this is the first time I have ever written a comment. This is SO good, I had to leave a comment. I left out the chili powder (not our favorite spice). The pork was so tender (was like eating a pork tenderloin) and flavorful. I cooked mine in the oven, after the 2nd basting, I put my meat thermometer in, it was perfect. I can’t wait to cook it again.Thank you so much for sharing it.
shelley wiliams says
What temperature?
Olga y says
Another great recipe from you!!! Made it tonight and it’s delicious! The sauce is the bomb!
Alicia says
Made this tonight and it was hands down the best pork loin I’ve ever had. And super easy to make!
Delmar says
I used pork broth, only thing different. this was the best tasting pork I’ve ever had or made. highly recommend, easy and delicious.
Becca says
We absolutely loved this! I’m wondering about cooking the meat in the instapot. Thoughts?
Dennis says
Made this on Mother’s Day for my wife
I put it in the crock pot making gravy right in the crock pot with Wonder flour. It turned out great. Thanks
Kerry says
Made this for dinner tonight in the oven. Everyone enjoy it. Hubby says it we have to make it again. I love how easy it was to make!
Nikki says
Just put in the crock pot. Cannot wait to see how it turns out. This is my first time on your site and i decided to try this one out. Easy to follow and the sauce smells so good. Thank u karina!
Mindy Mcjunkin says
Her recipes are the best you must try her best chicken fajitas. To die for.
Ebone Oliver says
I just made this and I Love It!!!! It taste great!! It came out just right. This is my first time making this, and I’m proud of myself for doing a great job cooking this. Thank you for your recipe, this help me a lot. I will be making this again. My kids love it as well. A little on the spicy side but it’s great!!????
Ebone Oliver says
I just made this and I Love It!!!! It taste great!! It came out just right. This is my first time making this, and I’m proud of muscle for doing a great job cooking this. Thank you for your recipe, this help me a lot. I will be making this again. My kids live it as well. A little on the spicy side but it’s great!!????
Jack says
How should I adjust the roasting time for a 2 1/4 lb boneless center cut pork roast? Thanks, i can’t wait to try this.
Jay says
Wondering if anyone has tried using a bit of apple juice instead of water in the oven roasting method? Love the flavor of apple with pork and thinking it might go well here.
Sandy Vanlancker says
I’m making this today and while I don’t have apple juice, I may slice an apple up and add it!
Kerri-anne Hein says
I made this recipe for my family on Saturday and it was incredible. I made it to the tea and it was superb!!! Thank you so much for making our family meal time fun and delicious! 😊
Tiffany Anderson says
HUGE hit! The flavors were amazing and my whole family loved it. Easy enough recipe to do it again and again. Thanks so much! The sauce is the best!
Emily H says
It was my first pork loin and I followed your recipe to a T and it came out absolutely perfect. Thank you very much! I Love to cook, and you make it that much better. The honey garlic sauce is so delicious, I can’t wait to have it again:)
Mari says
I only have tenderloins in my freezer , will it make a difference if I use those in place of the loin ? I prefer them as they are much more tender .
Sandy Vanlancker says
I’m going to guess that tenderloins will work, but adjust your cooking times as they are smaller and will cook faster. This sauce may make them mushy though? Because they are sooo tender to begin with. Let us know?
Deb Becker says
Amazing. Best pork recipe I’ve ever made. Definitely a keeper!
Jason Moore says
I am VERY visually oriented … you always get me with your pictures Karina! 🙂
This is definitely a “must try”! I have made MANY of your recipes, and every time it’s a winner! Thanks so much for sharing your culinary gift!
Maureen says
Just made this on New Year’s Day and it was amazing. I’m not much of a cook, but easily followed this, and my husband raved about it.
Barbara Jones says
Amazing! Used a 3 lb loin and slow cooked for 3 hours…temped it a little early and it was perfect. Didn’t dry out like I thought it might in the slowcooker, and not a bit left over. Will be a regular in future meal plans…just like the pork chops are. Thank you for all the great tips and recipes.
Dion Smith says
It was our turn to host Christmas dinner and I was stressing out about what to fix that would be both different and wow our guest. Your recipe deflated my stress and was PERFECT for our family. I cooked mine in the oven and omgosh that sauce was SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!! (Lol) I served mine over a bed of mashed cauli with some fresh green beans. I will DEFINITELY be making this again. Thank you so much ❤️ for posting this recipe..?
TGGonzo says
Never did a pork loin in the slow cooker before. This turned out great (although next time we will pre-sear the loin a little more than we did……I guess we were afraid of over cooking. Just go ahead and give this a really good sear).
The sauce was OUTRAGEOUSLY GOOD. Definitely a keeper!
Yolonda Thomas says
I have made this roast and it is delicious, I really like the rub used on the roast to make it a little sweet and savory, the garlic sauce is divine. Pair the roast with mashed potatoes and a veggie, you have the perfect meal.
Lindsay S. says
Just finished making this recipe and are looking forward to eating it for dinner tonight. It smells absolutely wonderful!
Liz says
YUM! Love the idea of using the slow cooker!
Barbara Bland says
I loved this recipe! It is absolutely delicious and I definitely will be cooking it again. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes you send out! I made my own “cook book” with them.
Kathi says
I have made pork loin many times but this was one of the best recipes I have tried. Thank you so much for sharing it. Happy Holidays.
Dgp says
OMG! The sauce is outstanding! I will be making that sauce to go on everything. Thanks for another great recipe.
Dani Harris says
This looks SO good! I love that you give directions both for oven roasting and using a slow cooker plus prepping it in advance! We may just be having this for New Year’s. We’re already planning to use your prime rib recipe Christmas Eve.
Merry Christmas!
Cyrus Douglas says
I am 76 years old my wife passed away a year and a half ago. I have a three ring 3 inch binder that I save all of your recipes. because of your recipes I am learning how to cook. this pork recipe I am making today. of course it’ll be for myself but you have never failed me yet thank you so much .
Jamie Hales says
Hi Cyrus! I hope your cooking adventures are still going well as you learn to navigate what was once your wife’s domain. I think it’s remarkably intrepid and my heart goes out to you wherever you are 🙂
Linda says
Whoop! Thawing out my pork loin now, totally making this!
Kathleen says
My family eat pork loin quite a bit but I’ve never thought about doing a sauce over it. This is definitely going to be on my list of things to do over the holidays.
Julie Martin says
Looks great; I’m always confident making your recipes because I know you’ve tested and tested and they will turn out fabulously!
Barbara C says
Do good to know the “trick” for keeping the seasoning flavor by drying with a paper towel first. It will make a difference to the flavor of my usually bland roasts. Thank you.
Jan says
It was amazing! Made it last night for dinner. Can’t wait for sandwiches today!
Nancy says
We reduced the honey by half and doubled the soy sauce. It was incredible!
Judy Sorenson says
This recipe is delicious.
Rachel says
I can’t wait to try it. My family loves it when I use one of your recipes.
Rod MacKenzie says
I made these last night and they were absolutely FANTASTIC!! Thank you so much for sharing.
Denise says
Looks great, am making the mushrooms tomorrow ????
Anna says
Looks and sounds amazing! Love that there’s a slow cooker option, I’m always looking for new crock pot recipes. Can’t wait to try it!
Steph says
I struggle with using honey in any recipe but I’m always willing to try a new challenge. By the way. Your chocolate pumpkin cheesecake was amazing at Thanksgiving. So many compliments.
Denise says
Yum!
Mary J says
Tried this and it is delicious especially the sauce. I also love your illustrations and easy to follow steps. Kick back now and Enjoy your holidays with friends and family. You deserve it. You’ve provided all us followers with delicious receipes this year!
Pamela says
Another great recipe to try. I love using my crockpot.
Patricia Brewer says
I make the honey garlic pork chops regularly so I can just imagine how delicious this will be!!! New Years dinner is already planned. ?
LuAnn says
This looks delicious and so moist.
Jo says
My husband loves this recipe.