How long do you roast pork loin?

A pork roast can feed a crowd and fills the whole house with mouth-watering aroma, which makes it a perfect weekend dinner. On top of that, pork meat is a good source of protein and minerals.

The only problem is that it tends to turn out stiff and dry if handled in a wrong way. How long should you roast pork to ensure that it cooks through but remains juicy?

Below you will find estimated cooking times for pork loin. Remember that the exact cooking time depends on thickness of the meat parts you are going to roast. To take the guesswork out of cooking, you may want to use meat thermometer. When the internal temperature of roasted loin exceeds 80^oC, you may rest assured that is has cooked through.

Whole loin	Method 1	Fry the pork loin shortly on each side (preferably using rapeseed oil) to lock in the moisture, then transfer to a lidded casserole dish and roast for about 1 hour in 180^oC.
	Method 2	Place the loin in a lidded casserole dish and roast for 25 minutes in 220^oC, then lower the temperature to 175-180^oC and continue roasting for ca. 20 minutes per 1 pound of meat.
Pork loin chops		Preheat the oven to 220^oC and roast for about 15-20 minutes.
TIP: Meat thermometer should read 80^oC or above when inserted into the meat by the end of roasting. Juices should run clear when you pierce the loin with a skewer.

What else can you do to achieve tender pork loin?

- Let pork chops soak in brine (water & salt) overnight or at least an hour before roasting, Optionally, you can add some herbs or lemon juice to the brine.
- When roasting whole loin, put some vegetables (and/or a small ovenproof bowl of water) inside the casserole dish. This way the meat will absorb some extra moisture and you will cook a side dish at one go, too.
- Before roasting, marinate pork overnight in a mixture of oil, herbs and vinegar or in red wine.

Would you add any other tips to the list above?