Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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This pork roast recipe is as easy as can be: Rub the pork with spices and cook it in the oven until the outside is browned and crispy and the inside is tender and juicy.

It's a simple recipe that produces reliably juicy results, time after time. It's one of the recipes most often requested by my family! It's easy, delicious, and affordable.

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I love making roasts for dinner. Like casseroles (such as this ground beef casserole), roasts provide lots of food for minimal work - they practically cook themselves!

When it comes to pork, I enjoy these oven-baked pork chops, but this tasty pork roast is easier to make. You simply rub the meat with seasonings, then bake it until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Pork Roast Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Pork Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this pork roast. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Olive oil spray: I love olive oil and use it frequently. If you prefer an oil with a higher smoke point, you can use avocado oil instead.
  • Kosher salt and black pepper: I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Spices: Garlic powder, paprika, dried sage, and dried thyme. I prefer garlic powder to minced fresh garlic in this recipe. It more evenly coats the meat.
  • Boneless pork shoulder: I usually pick a 3-pound roast. I prefer a boneless roast because it's easier to slice and serve.

Variations

The best way to vary this recipe is to experiment with different spices. Good options that I tried and liked include onion powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, and ground mustard. You can add ½ to 1 teaspoon of any of these spices to the spice mixture.

You can also spray the pork with ghee instead of olive oil. It's delicious!

Pork Roast Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Prepare the spice mixture: Mix the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, sage, and thyme.

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Rub the spice mixture over the pork and spray its top liberally with olive oil.

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Cook the pork for 15 minutes in a preheated 425°F oven. Lower the oven to 375°F and continue roasting the pork to an internal temperature of 145°F for about 75 more minutes. When done, it will be beautifully browned:

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Let the pork rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

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Expert Tip

It's essential to allow the fully cooked roast to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing it. This allows the juices to redistribute and settle.

If you cut into the roast too soon, juices will be lost, and the pork will end up dry and not as flavorful.

Recipe FAQs

How long should I cook a pork roast?

After the first 15 minutes of browning the roast in a hot oven, a rough estimate is to keep cooking it for approximately 25 minutes per pound. But this is just an estimate.

As with all roasts, including ribeye roast and beef tenderloin roast, it's important to use a meat thermometer that you insert into the meat and alerts you when it's fully cooked. There's no other reliable way to ensure the meat is done.

This is especially important with pork because the lowest internal temperature you want it to reach is 145 degrees (medium).

I usually get a 3-pound pork shoulder. If your roast is bigger, increase the cooking time accordingly. If the top seems to be getting too dark, loosely cover it with foil.

Should pork be cooked well done?

No. In 2011, the USDA lowered its temperature recommendation for cooking whole cuts of pork from 160°F (dry, tough, completely white meat) to 145°F (juicy and slightly pink in the center) with a 3-minute rest period.

This means that a cut of pork may still look pink when it reaches 145 degrees. That, says the USDA, is OK.

After years of being conditioned to expect pork to appear white when fully cooked, this change is not easy for many of us. But this is a good change: meat cooked to medium is juicy, while well-done meat is dry.

Should I cover the roast in the oven?

No. You want it nicely browned, so you shouldn't cover it. However, if your roast is big and the top is getting too dark while the inside is not yet fully cooked, you should loosely cover the top with foil to protect it from over-browning.

Is it better to use a boneless pork roast or a bone-in roast?

I prefer a boneless roast because it's easier to slice and serve. The only disadvantage is that once it's done, you don't have bones to use for a tasty soup.

Can I use pork loin in this recipe?

I don't recommend using pork loin. Although tender, it's lean and will dry out during prolonged cooking. You should stick with pork shoulder, a fatty cut that won't dry easily.

Serving Suggestions

Since pork roast is rich and flavorful, I like to keep the sides simple. Here are a few of the easy side dishes I usually serve with this roast:

  • Microwave broccoli
  • Sugar snap peas
  • Sautéed spinach
  • Zucchini noodles
  • Homemade coleslaw
  • Mashed butternut squash
  • Honey-glazed carrots

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave at 50% power. They won't be as good as the freshly prepared roast, but they will still be delicious.

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More Pork Recipes

  • Roasted Pork Tenderloin
  • Pork Stew
  • Slow Cooker Carnitas
  • Pork Stir-Fry

Recipe Card

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4.99 from 1951 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Easy Pork Roast

This pork roast is juicy and flavorful. Rub it with spices and then roast it in the oven until done. It's easy, delicious, and affordable!

Prep Time40 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Rest time15 minutes mins

Total Time2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 494kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • Olive oil spray
  • 1 tablespoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ tablespoon of any other salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika regular or smoked
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 3 pounds pork shoulder roast boneless

Instructions

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and fit it with a wire rack. Spray the wire rack with olive oil.

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  • In a small bowl, mix the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, sage, and thyme.

    Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

  • Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Place it on the wire rack. Rub the spice mixture all over the roast. Spray its top liberally with olive oil.

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  • Heat the oven to 425°F. Let the roast sit at room temperature while the oven is warming, about 30 minutes.

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  • Insert a meat thermometer probe into the middle of the pork roast and place it in the hot oven. Roast it for 15 minutes, then lower the heat to 375°F and continue roasting until the meat thermometer reads 145°F. In my oven, it takes 75 minutes (about 25 minutes per pound).

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  • Remove the roast from the oven. Loosely tent it with foil and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the butcher twine from the roast, slice, and serve.

    Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (18)

Video

Notes

  • If your roast is bigger than 3 pounds, you will need to cook it for longer. A general rule of thumb is 25 minutes per pound. Its internal temperature should reach 145°F. If the top seems to be browning too much after the initial 75 minutes, loosely cover it with foil.
  • It's important to allow the fully cooked roast to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing it. This allows the juices to redistribute and settle. If you cut into the roast too soon, yummy juices will be lost, and the meat will end up dry and not as flavorful.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave at 50% power.
  • The nutrition info is based on the USDA database.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 6ounces | Calories: 494kcal | Protein: 39g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 390mg

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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (29) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Coleen

    Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (30)
    This pork roast is the best! I have made this roast several times. My husband and I love it.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yay! Thank you, Coleen, for your comment. I'm so glad you and your husband like this recipe.

      Reply

  2. Katie Howard

    Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (31)
    I’m making this for the second time in less than a month. Pork roast is my absolute favorite food (with bacon a close second!). THIS recipe ensures a moist, flavorful roast — even with a much larger roast (mine have been around 9#). It’s a keeper for sure!
    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Thank you, Katie, for taking the time to write this comment! I'm so glad you've been enjoying this recipe.

      Reply

  3. Carl Scott

    Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (32)
    I have never bothered to leave a recipe review. I've been searching for a recipe for a boneless pork roast for 40 years that didn't leave the roast dry, tough, and tasteless. This is, hands down, the absolute best recipe I've ever tried. The end result was fork-tender, juicy, and full of flavor throughout.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yay! I'm SO GLAD this recipe was a success, Carl! Thank you for taking the time to write this review. I appreciate it.

      Reply

  4. Ann

    Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (33)
    Delicious! Very easy recipe to follow. Everything was on point.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this pork roast, Ann!

      Reply

  5. Diane

    Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (34)
    The best pork roast I have ever had! So tender and juicy!! The only thing I did differently, was used a butter garlic rub instead of sage and thyme. AMAZING!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this pork roast, Diane! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. The butter garlic rub sounds amazing.

      Reply

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Easy Pork Roast - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Should you cover a pork roast when cooking in the oven? ›

For a crisp surface on your roast, be sure the oven is fully preheated before putting the roast in and don't cover the meat while roasting. Searing (quickly browning at high heat) the outside of a pork roast before continuing with cooking is a great way to seal in flavor.

What is the most flavorful pork roast? ›

Shoulder (spare rib)

Most often the bone is removed, then the meat is rolled and tied to a neater joint. It has a really excellent flavour, as meat from nearer the head of the pig is always more succulent, with a little more fat to keep it moist.

What is the best joint for a pork roast? ›

Pork leg and loin joints are excellent roasting joints with lean meat and good crackling, and a rack of pork is an impressive looking roast. If you prefer something richer, then shoulder joints and pork belly are ideal. They have a higher fat content that renders down during cooking to give lovely tender meat.

Should pork roast be cooked fast or slow? ›

Cook low and slow in the oven until done, then let it rest before slicing so it stays nice and juicy. The size and cooking temperature will determine how long to cook the pork loin. When cooked through, a thermometer inserted into the center should read 145°F.

Should I put water in the pan of a pork roast? ›

Place pork roast (fat side up) into large roasting pan with 1 cup water in the bottom. Bake for 4-5 hours or until desired tenderness. (I typically go 5 hours for pull apart pork roast) Add water as needed during cook time to prevent burning on the bottom of pan.

Do you brown a pork roast before putting it in the oven? ›

Whether you roast it in the oven or cook it in the slow-cooker, you'll want to sear the roast first. Most sources will tell you that searing seals in the juices.

What spices enhance the flavor of pork? ›

Top 10 Herbs for Cooking Pork
  • #9 Tarragon. The thin wispy leaf of the tarragon plant has a sweet licorice presence. ...
  • #8 Sage. The long soft oval leaf of the sage plant is too tough and bitter to be eaten raw. ...
  • #7 Cilantro. This thin, green leafy herb has a striking flavor. ...
  • #6 Parsley. ...
  • #5 Dill. ...
  • #4 Oregano. ...
  • #3 Rosemary. ...
  • #2 Thyme.

Does pork roast get softer the longer it cooks? ›

The short answer is no. Poem cooked slow and slow will become tender up to a point, after which point it will become dry, losing all its natural juices into the pan. Originally Answered: What temperature & how long do you cook a pork roast to get it tender? A pork roast done in a crock pot is perfect done.

What enhances pork flavor? ›

Cumin is a favourite in curries, but it also works incredibly well with pork. It is a go-to savoury spice for a reason: its distinct, earthy flavour. You wouldn't necessarily just season pork with cumin, but mixing it with other seasonings like ginger and lime can enhance the flavour significantly.

Why is my pork roast always tough? ›

One of the main factors contributing to a dry pork roast is overcooking, which causes the muscle fibers to contract and release their natural juices — even if it's cooked just a couple of minutes too long. This mistake is often a result of the fear of undercooking pork for safety reasons.

Do you put oil on pork joint? ›

Rub the oil all over the meat and skin; evenly sprinkle the sea salt over the skin. Add enough water (400- 500ml) to cover the base of the tin, taking care not to wet the pork skin. Roast for 25 mins. Reduce the heat to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C; roast for a further 2 hrs.

How long should pork roast sit out before cooking? ›

Drying out

Meat juices inside can not react when we cook cold meat. We need room temperature for a juicy and tender steak. If you want to cook a tasty, delicious pork tenderloin in your oven, keeping all the flavors, you need to take it out of the refrigerator one hour before.

How do you cook pork so it's tender? ›

How to Make Tender Pork Chops
  1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
  2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
  3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
  4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
  5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
  6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
  7. Serve.
Feb 14, 2018

What happens if you cook a pork roast too long? ›

And since overcooking shrinks meat fibers and squeezes our juices, overcooked pork is tough and dry.

Is it better to cook a roast covered or uncovered? ›

When cooking a roast in the oven, keep it uncovered until roasted to the desired doneness. After removing from the oven, tent with foil and let stand 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, preventing them from draining out during carving—and preventing dry, disappointing meat.

Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? ›

This is the cardinal rule for lean cuts of meat like pork tenderloin. At 400 degrees F, a 1-pound pork tenderloin will cook in 8 to 10 minutes after being seared on the stove.

What temperature should a pork roast be when you take it out of the oven? ›

The safe internal pork cooking temperature for fresh cuts is 145° F. To check doneness properly, use a digital cooking thermometer. Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor.

What temperature should you take a pork roast out of the oven? ›

The Target Temperature for Pork Is 145 F

Because of something called "carry-over cooking," you have to remove your pork roast from the oven when its actual temperature is 5 to 10 degrees below its target temperature.

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