How Long To Cook Pork Loin In Oven At 400?

Pork loin is a lean and tender pork cut that always steals the show when served at a family night dinner or a holiday celebration. I usually bake the pork loin in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. To get the best result, it’s important to pay attention to the cooking time for pork loin. Now here’s the question. How long to cook pork loin in oven at 400 degrees? In this post, I like to share the answer as well as other useful tips on preparing oven roasted pork loin.

How long to cook pork loin in oven at 400 degrees?

It takes 20 minutes to cook pork loin in the oven at 400 degrees per pound. That is to say a 2 lb pork loin will cook to perfection in 40 minutes. Pork reaches medium doneness at an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. At medium doneness, the pork loin is juicy, soft and pink in the center. To eliminate the pink touch in the middle, bake the pork loin to an internal temperature of 150-160 degrees F. At this internal temp, the pork loin is fully cooked and is considered well done. However, the meat will lose much juice at this internal temp. So if you prefer a succulent loin, keep it at 145 degrees.

What are other temp to bake pork loin in the oven?

If you want to avoid the intense crisp provided by 400 degrees, you can choose 350 degrees. There will be a certain crust, but it will not be as pronounced. But the meat will come out fork-tender and bursting with a considerable amount of juice. At 350 degrees, it takes 30 minutes per pound to cook the pork loin in the oven. Of course, you can slow cook the pork loin at 250 degrees too. The cooking process will take 1 hour and 40 minutes for a 2 pound pork loin, making the meat melt-in-your-mouth tender and succulent.

Which is the best cooking temperature for pork loin in the oven?

When it comes to pork loin, we prefer to roast it at 350 degrees. We get everything needed to call a loin perfect – tenderness, juiciness and even a pleasant crisp. The bake time is also convenient as it allows us to prepare the side dishes while the pork loin roasts. Speaking of other temperatures, they can also become your go-to depending on your preferences for the crust. If you like it solid and dark brown, you should take the 400 degrees route. If you prefer the loin exterior to be moist and smooth, choose slow cooking. Keep in mind, though, that slow cooking the pork loin takes a longer cooking time.

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Recipe for baking pork loin in the oven

Here’s the recipe for baking pork loin in the oven.

  1. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Drizzle a few drops of olive oil over it.
  2. Season the pork loin with a mix of crushed garlic, rosemary, oregano, salt and pepper. For an even more flavorful loin, we suggest you to make some cuts in it and insert garlic cloves and rosemary springs into the formed pockets.
  3. Place the pork loin on the baking dish and roast at 350 degrees in the oven for 1 hour. After you remove it from the oven, allow 10 minutes for the juices to redistribute making the meat extra soft and easy to chew.

How to cook pork loin in the oven fast?

Slice the pork loin

If you are pressed for time, you may want to consider slicing the pork loin before baking. It goes without saying that half-inch slices will cook much faster than a 2 lb chunk of meat. However, you should be aware that this may lead to a slightly drier meat given that juices evaporate faster with the large surface area exposed. If you don’t want to lose much juice, cut the loin in just two or three pieces. It should reduce a bit of the cooking time while preserving the meat juicy.

Broil the pork loin

If you are looking for a method to speed up the process without cutting the loin, you may opt for broiling. Bake the pork chunk in the oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, then broil it for 10 minutes.

What to serve with pork loin?

Grilled vegetables go a long way in balancing out the rich and savory pork loin. It’s a simple and healthy dish that should accompany the pork roast on any occasion. Potato is also a great pairing for pork loin. Whether it’s mashed potatoes, whipped sweet potatoes, or french fries, your taste buds will say a big thank you for flattering them with such a divine combination. If we are in the mood for a side dish that’s both healthy and filling, we often turn to parmesan baked asparagus. Another dish that will make your guests drool is rice with chopped vegetables and bacon. It’s easy to prepare and brings the loin’s goodness to a whole new level.

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FAQs on Cooking Pork Loin

At what temperature is a pork loin done?

The pork loin internal temp should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit for a fully done meat. The thicker the meat, the longer it takes to cook. Hence, it is important that this temperature is taken at the thickest part of the pork loin. If you prefer a medium done meat, stop baking once the internal temperature for the pork loin hits 145 degrees F.

How long to cook pork loin in oven at 300 degrees?

The cooking time for pork loin in the oven at 300 degrees is 40 minutes per pound. That is to say a 3 lb pork loin will take 2 hours to cook. The result is a pork loin that is tender and succulent.

How much pork loin per person?

I usually prepare 0.5 pounds of pork loin per person. Since I always prepare a number of dishes along with pork loin, this portion is sufficient for my family and friends.

Can pork loin be pink?

Yes, pork loin can be pink in the center if you are going for medium doneness.  This happens when you cook it at higher temperatures of 400 degrees and above in the oven. At these higher temperatures, the cooking is uneven as the outer meat cooks much faster than the interior, resulting in the pink center.

How long to cook 4 pound pork loin in oven at 275 degrees?

It takes 3 hours to cook a 4 pound pork loin in the oven at 275 degrees. If you are using more pork loin or less, increase or decreases the cooking time by 45 minutes per pound accordingly.

What is pork loin?

Pork loin is a cut of meat from the pig’s back. Its other names are pork center rib roast and center loin roast. This piece of meat is large and thick. The meat is also lean and usually sold without bones.

How long does it take to cook pork loin in oven at 375 degrees?

The pork loin will takes 25 minutes per pound to cook in the oven. This temperature produces a pork loin that is juicy inside with a slight golden crispy on the exterior.