8 Juicy Pork Roast Recipes for a Show-Stopping Main Course (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep pork moist and tender? ›

Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference. It's not strictly necessary — you can still use this method to make great pork chops even without brining — but if you have some extra time, I recommend it.

So, what's the key to cooking pork without drying it out? Regardless of how you prepare the meat, it's best to cook it at a low temperature slowly. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your pork: Once it reaches 145, you can be sure it's ready and safe to eat.

Shoulder (spare rib)

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. The skin is dry with a reasonable layer of fat underneath, making this one of the best joints to get good crackling from.

Overcooking any meat dries it out. A pork loin roast is more tender and juicy when cooked to medium than when it is well done. If you're talking about a pork shoulder or pork butt, it is best braised low and slow to let the collagen soften. As soon as the meat pulls apart with a fork, it is done.

A brine is essentially just salt and water. It helps prevent moisture loss during cooking, and the salt also helps tenderize the meat from the inside out.

If the meat is fresh or thawed, I add ¼ to ½ cup of water or chicken broth. Likewise, if you get a pork roast that has not had broth and salt added to it, you may want to add more salt.

Pre-heat oven to 325F (163C). Bake pork roast in the oven UNCOVERED for approximately 25-30 MINUTES *PER POUND* (55-66 MINUTES PER KILOGRAM) Or until internal temperature reaches 155F (68C), rested to a final 160F (71C).

Tenting can be suitable for some cuts of meat, but if you want a crunchy crust on your roast, then it's best to leave it uncovered. If you notice that the roasted pork is browning too much, you can lightly cover it with aluminum foil. However, do not cover it for the last 5-10 minutes in the oven.

Once the pork loin roast reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer, remove it from the oven, and let it rest on a cutting board for 20 minutes. This gives the meat time to reabsorb all its juices. You can also brine the pork before you cook it, which ensures the meat stays tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.

Center-Cut Loin Roast: This popular boneless roast is juicy, tender, and evenly shaped with somewhat less fat than the center-cut rib roast. We prefer the more flavorful boneless blade-end roast, but the two cuts can be used interchangeably. Make sure to buy a center-cut roast with a decent fat cap on top.

What is the best cut of pork for roast dinner? ›

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.

Muscle fibers contract and push out moisture as meat cooks. It first starts to happen when the internal temperature reaches 104℉ (40℃) and greatly increases once you hit 140℉ (60℃). This is why ribeyes, chicken breasts, and pork chops turn dry and chewy when you cook them for too long.

Yes! You don't have to, but I'm happier with the results of this recipe when I take the time to sear it in advance. Here's what happens when you sear the meat first: The seared exterior of the meat helps lock moisture into the pork roast, keeping it juicy and tender as it cooks slowly for several hours.

Slow-Roast It All Day

Then put a roasting rack into the roasting pan, unwrap your pork, and nestle it onto the rack. Before you put the pork in the oven, pour a cup or two of water into the bottom of whatever pan you're using—just enough to completely cover the surface—then cover the roast completely with foil.

Chefs also recommend introducing some fat into the mix, such as bacon or lard, to increase the fat content in the cooking process. You can also try the method many cooks swear by, of patting dry and then salting the meat, keeping it uncovered in the fridge overnight before cooking.

Balance Speed and Temperature When You Cook Pork Chops

Since pork chops are often on the thin side, they need to cook quickly to prevent drying out. After brining or marinating, let the pork chops reach room temperature before cooking. This reduces your cooking time.

Unlike the more lean tenderloin and chops, pork shoulder is an incredibly forgiving cut of meat. It becomes more tender as it cooks and benefits from a lengthy cook time, so even if it stays on the heat a few minutes too long, you won't suddenly end up with something dry or rubbery.

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed. You can shred the pork during smoking or in the crockpot.

Lemons are highly acidic, making them a great meat tenderizer. A thick coating of lemon juice applied one hour before cooking will draw water from the meat, thus, improving the meat's texture. Adding too much of this marinade could actually toughen the meat.