Instant Pot Pork Loin

This is a recipe for the best instant pot pork loin, which comes out so tender and juicy in just a short time. It is so delicious to eat and can be served with your favorite veggies, side dishes, or as the focal point on a roll for your favorite sandwich.

Instant pot pork loin is very tender, so much so that you have to ask yourself if you are eating tenderloin instead. 

After making this recipe we came to two conclusions: If you have an instant pot you need to use it more often. If you don’t have one then treat yourself to one, because the meat always comes out tender, even if you are using a cut that is not as tender as a pork tenderloin.

It came out just as good as some of our other instant pot recipes like pork tenderloin, pork chops with gravy, and pulled pork.

Benefits of Cooking Pork Loin in an Instant Pot

Cooking your pork roast in an instant pot has a few benefits:

• It is quicker than cooking it in other ways and saves time.
• It comes out tender.
• It is super simple and really easy.

Is It Best to Cook a Pork Loin Roast Quickly or Slowly?

Pork loin comes out better when you cook it slowly. It tends to be firm, does not have much fat, and can be dry if not cooked enough or cooked too quickly.

What Ingredients are in Instant Pot Pork Loin?

• Pork Loin – This is the cut of meat for this recipe that comes from the back of the pig, which is a long/wide piece, usually about 3-5 pounds per roast. It’s not the most tender cut of pork so it needs to be cooked at a low temp for longer than a tenderloin.
• Salt – A basic spice that is used in most recipes.
• Pepper – Ground black pepper.
• Garlic Powder – A common spice in a lot of foods that always makes food taste delicious.
• Onion Powder – Also similar to garlic, adding so much good flavor to things.
• Paprika – We use this spice in food which adds a slight bit of warm heat.
• Olive Oil – A good virgin olive oil is best.
• Broth – You can use chicken, beef, or bone broth.
• Mushrooms – This vegetable is used a lot with pork and beef.
• Onions – Any type of onions will work in this recipe. They all have good flavor.

Different Cuts of Pork Loin

You can buy a pork loin with bones and without bones, which is a personal choice, even though the boneless cut is the most commonly found type found in the stores.

Boneless vs. Bone-In

In my opinion, a boneless pork loin is the best cut for using in a pressure cooker.

If you use a pork loin that is still on the bones, leave extra time when cooking it, because of the bones it will certainly take longer.

Are Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin the Same?

Even though their name is similar, they are not the same. The flavor, texture, cut and cooking methods are different. They come from different parts of the pig.

Pork Loin:

• Comes from the back of the pig, and is longer and wider than the tenderloin.
• Pork loins are usually 3-5 pounds but can be even larger when you buy the whole loin at a store like Costco where everything is sold in larger portions!!!
• The loin is tougher than the tenderloin.

Pork Tenderloin:

• Is usually much smaller in size, usually 1-2 pounds.
• The tenderloin is from the loin of the pig which runs from the hip to the shoulder alongside the backbone.
• The tenderloin lives up to its name because it is a tender piece of meat.

Different Variations of This Recipe

Pork is a meat that goes with so many different flavors. You can change how you season it with different spices and other things. You can also serve it with an endless number of different veggies or side dishes.

Here are some flavors you can add to this recipe:

• Spaghetti Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Garlic/Butter Sauce
• Balsamic

Seasonings

 If you want to try some different spices or flavors here are some suggestions:

• Rosemary
• Bay Leaf
• Parsley
• Honey/Garlic
• Taco Seasoning
• Chili powder

Vegetable Options

When it comes to veggies, it’s a personal choice. Here are some options that you can cook together with the pork loin in the instant pot:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Asparagus
• Brussel Sprouts
• Carrots
• Squash, all varieties
• Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes

Most veggies that you choose can be cooked in the instant pot while the meat is resting on the plate. You can also make them roasted in the oven or teamed on the stove. Whichever you prefer.

Pork Loin Pressure Cooker Time Per Pound

Figuring out how long to cook your pork loin in a pressure cooker will depend on how big your piece of meat is.

Once you bring the instant pot up to temperature then start the timer. In my experience, I find that approximately 1-2 minutes per pound is a good equation to follow.

Instant Pot Setting for Pork Loin

When making pork loin in an instant pot, the best settings to use are:

•  Saute to sear it.
•  High pressure to cook it.

Pork Loin Temperature

When you use a thermometer to check the temperature of the pork, the best temperature to cook it to is 145 degrees. As it rests the temperature will rise to about 155-160 degrees.

How to Cook Pork Loin in the Instant Pot

Now we will show you step by step how to make the pork loin in the instant pot.

STEP 1: Prepare the Roast

The first thing you have to do is take the pork loin out of the refrigerator and let it sit out on the counter for a few minutes to help take the chill off of it.

STEP 2: Seasoning the Roast

The next thing that you do is to mix all of your spices in a small bowl.

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Then rub the spice mixture all over all sides of the pork loin until completely covered. Set the meat aside.

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STEP 3: Prepare the Vegetables

Now it’s time to prepare the mushrooms and onions. Slice both veggies in preparation for the meal.

Heat up the pot by pressing the saute button. Let it heat up until it says hot, about 8 minutes.

STEP 4: Sear the Roast + Veggies

Add the olive oil to the instant pot.

Place the meat in the hot oil in the pot and brown for 1-2 minutes on all 4 sides.

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Take the roast out and set it aside on a plate.

STEP 5: Deglaze Instant Pot

Add the broth and then with a wooden spoon scrape up all of the stuck-on brown bits that are stuck on the bottom of the pot until they are all loosened up.

Place the meat back in the instant pot along with the onions and mushrooms.

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STEP 6: Pressure Cook the Pork Roast

Pressure cook the pork loin for 35-45 minutes, depending on the size of the meat. If you are not sure that the loin is done cooking, stick a thermometer into it.

Make sure you cook the meat till it reaches 145 degrees. If it needs a little more cooking, just use the keep warm setting to continue to bring it up to temperature until it’s done. Release steam from the pot.

STEP 7: Make Gravy

Once the meat is out of the instant pot, mix up the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl.

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While the broth is still boiling in the pot add the cornstarch stirring until the broth starts to thicken to desired texture.

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Once the gravy is done, pour it from the pot into your gravy boat and get ready to pour it over the sliced pork loin.

STEP 8: Slice the Pork

Once the meat has rested for 10 minutes, get your knife and cutting board and slice the meat. Slice it to your desired thickness.

Transfer it onto a plate and pour the gravy out of the pot into your gravy boat and pour over the sliced pork loin.

How to Tell When Your Pork Roast is Done?

If you follow our directions in this recipe, the pork loin will come out perfect every time and there is little to wonder about when checking if it is done or not.

However, if you are not sure, especially the first time you make it, then use a meat thermometer. Your pork roast is done when the thermometer reaches 145 degrees.

FAQs and Best Tips

In this section, we are going to answer some of the common questions that may come to mind. We will also share with you some helpful tips to make your pork loin recipe successful.

• Use a meat thermometer to make sure that your meat is not undercooked or overcooked.
• Make sure to sear the meat on all sides.
• Do not skip the resting step when it’s done cooking.
• Use a sturdy cutting board and sharp knife to cut your pork loin.

How Many People Per Pound of Pork Loin?

Typically, when I make pork loin, I allow about 8 oz per person. That means that for every pound it will feed 2 people. 

But if you have eaters with larger appetites then I allow about 12 ounces per person. 

When in doubt, cook a little more than what is necessary. I would rather have too much and have leftovers the next day than have a small portion which may not give me enough to feed everyone.

Does Pork Get More Tender the Longer You Cook It?

If you use a slow cooker, then yes, the longer you cook the piece of pork, within reason, the more tender it will get. 

When you are making instant pot pork loin roast, it doesn’t take a long time to cook it, but at the same time, you have to cook it enough because if it’s not cooked enough it will be tough. 

If you are cooking a fatty piece of pork, like a pork butt or pork shoulder, then they tend to get more tender if they cook longer.

How to Keep Pork Loin Tender

• When you sear the pork loin in the instant pot first, it will help to trap the juices in the meat.
• Use salt when cooking the pork loin because it helps break down the protein fibers so that the meat gets more tender.
• If you do not overcook the pork loin then it will stay tender. 
• Use a thermometer and take out your roast when it is 145 degrees.
• Let the meat rest for a few minutes so that the natural juices stay inside the meat, because If you slice it right away then the juices will run out all over the cutting board.

Do I Need to Sear Pork Loin Before Pressure Cooking?

Searing the piece of pork before cooking it in the pressure cooker is definitely a step that you do not want to skip. It just tends to give the meat a better flavor and texture than if you just started cooking it.

Do I Have to Use a Trivet?

No, you do not have to use the trivet while making the pork loin in the pressure cooker. In fact, it is good for the roast to sit inside the broth while cooking to remain moist.

Do You Add Water When Cooking Meat in an Instant Pot?

Rather than using water in the instant pot, I like to add some kind of broth which will add more flavor to your pressure cooker pork loin. Chicken, beef, or bone broth are all good choices.

Is it Ok to Cook Using the “Keep Warm” Mode?

Yes, it’s ok to continue to cook the pork loin using the “keep warm” setting, but only if the loin is undercooked when you check with the thermometer.

Can I Use Frozen Pork in an Instant Pot?

If you forget to take your meat out of the freezer, no worries. Yes, you can for sure use a frozen piece of pork loin in your instant pot.  

You will have to add some extra time in the cooking process which will depend on how frozen the meat is and the size of it, especially since you won’t be able to sear it first.

Can I Make Pulled Pork with Pork Loin?

Unfortunately, pork loin is not a good choice for pulled pork because it does not pull apart.  

To make that you will need a cheaper, fattier piece of meat like a butt roast or a shoulder roast, which have more fat that will be just what you need to shred for pulled pork.

We have several pulled pork recipes on our site, one for slow cooker pulled pork and one for instant pot pulled pork. They will walk you through all of the steps you need.

What Should I Do with the Pan Juices?

Once you remove the instapot pork loin, while it is resting, now it’s time to use that yummy liquid to make some gravy.

Briefly stated, you need a thickening agent to mix with cold water, added to the meat juices, stirred in until it reaches desired thickness.

What to Serve with Pork Loin?

So many things go so well with instant pot pork loin roast, here are a few ideas:

• Mac and Cheese or Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
• Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Coleslaw
• Applesauce
• Mashed Potatoes or Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
• Mock “Potato” Salad
• Low Carb Stuffing

Make Ahead & Storing Options 

If you want to season your pressure cooker pork loin ahead of time, you can do that and then wrap it up and refrigerate it for the day or overnight until cooking.

Once you make your instant pot pork loin and if there are any leftovers, then place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How to Reheat

If you want to reheat your leftover pressure cooker pork loin roast, it is easy. 

• Microwave – Stick the meat on a microwave-safe plate or dish, cover it with a paper towel, and heat for about 1-2 minutes.
• Stove – Use a non-stick frying pan and put the pork loin in. Add a few drops of water to the pan, cover, and heat for 1-2 minutes on medium.

Can You Freeze Pork Loin?

Instant pot pork loin roast is one of those meats that you can freeze, as long as you wrap it up properly.

Put the meat in an airtight container. Then put the container into a freezer bag. Or if you prefer you can do it the opposite way. Wrap the meat in a plastic freezer bag and then put the baggie inside an airtight container. 

Either way, you can freeze the pork loin for 3-4 months.

Tools to Use

• A bowl to mix the spices together
• Tongs to use with the meat in the instant pot
• Instant Pot
• Cutting Board
• A Knife to cut the meat

The Best Instant Pot for this Recipe

Any one of the instant pots that you have will work well for this recipe, but if you don’t own one yet, then get one that is the middle of the road as far as options/settings.  You don’t need to get one that is so complex if you are only going to use one or two settings. 

Also, get one that is not too small if you plan to cook for a family of 4-6 people. We chose to get the 8-quart “instant pot” brand and we love ours.

Diets This Recipe is Good For

• Keto/Low Carb -Another great meat recipe that is a perfect choice for a low carb diet.
• Gluten-free – This instant pot pork loin recipe is a hit with my friend who can’t eat any gluten.
• Dairy-free – There is no dairy in this recipe for instant pot pork loin. 
• Sugar-free – We do not use any sugar or sweetener products to make our pork loin.
• Paleo – A perfect meat recipe for our Paleo readers.
• Whole 30 – A good choice for the whole 30.
• Nut-free – There are no nuts or things made from nuts in our recipe.

Other Instant Pot Recipes

Here are a few other instant pot recipes on our website that you will love:

• Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
• Instant Pot Pork Roast (Coming Soon)
• Instant Pot Pork Ribs
• Instant Pot Pork Chops
• Instant Pot Pulled Pork
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Other Favorite Pork Recipes

Here are some of our other favorite pork recipes:

• Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Baked Pork Shoulder
• Perfect Pork Butt
• Stuffed Pork Chops
• Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs
• Crispy Pork Belly 
• Baked Pork Tenderloin

All of them are easy-to-make dinners and will have your friends raving!

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