Smoked Pork Loin

This is cooked to perfection Smoked Pork Loin You’ll lick your lips and grab for seconds. Smoked Roast Pork coated with BBQ Rub and Barbecue Sauce results in a succulent roast pork with a spicy and rich smoky flavor.

Other popular pork recipes include: Smoked Pork Chops, Double-Smoked Ham, Seared Pork Belly Ends, and Instant Pot Carnitas.

Smoked roast pork

Pork loin has little marbling, so it can be a tough cut of pork if not cooked properly. The best smoked pork loin recipes call for low and slow cooking to allow muscle to break down. This method results in a perfectly tender roast pork.

Pork loin vs pork tenderloin

When buying your roast, make sure you’re buying pork tenderloin and not pork tenderloin. These are two very different cuts of pork that are not interchangeable.

Pork loin is a large cut of meat that comes from the top of the rib cage. It’s a firmer cut of pork with a medium pork flavor.

Pork tenderloin, on the other hand, is thin and long and comes from the pig’s spine. It’s a lot more tender than a loin and has a milder pork flavor. Check out our sous pork tenderloin recipe for visual impressions.

Recipe ingredients for smoked pork loin

The list of ingredients for smoked pork loin is short and sweet:

• pork loin – Trim the fat cap to ¼ inch thickness if there is a thick cap.
• BBQ rub (or your favorite dry pork rub).
• barbecue sauce

When smoking pork tenderloin it is not necessary to baste the meat, but you can if you wish. Drizzle the pork with apple juice or apple cider vinegar every 30 minutes to keep the loin moist.

How to smoke a pork loin

Smoking a pork loin works great with a pellet/electric smoker or a manual charcoal or wood smoker. We provide guides for both methods. Just make sure you have the materials listed below.

Try to keep the grill as close to 225°F as possible. If using a manual smoker, be sure to keep the temperature between 225 and 250°F.

Money – Preheat the coals until just overflowing. Place them in the center of your grill and open the vents to 25%. Create smoke by placing pieces of wood directly on the preheated coals.

Pellet/Electric Smoker (Traeger Pork Loin) – Preheat the grill to 225°F. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to get an even smoke.

gas grill – We do not recommend using a gas grill as it requires a lot of propane.

temperature

The USDA recommends cooking roast pork and steaks to an internal temperature of at least 145°F and letting them sit for at least 3 minutes.

How long to smoke a pork loin

To smoke a roast pork, focus on the temperature, not the time, when preparing it. Expect a cook time of about 30 minutes per pound when cooking at 225°F. Also plan the desired rest time.

Relax

As with most smoked pork loin recipes, resting is an important part of ensuring a juicy pork roast! Simply cover the roast loosely as soon as you remove it from the grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to redistribute the juices.

deliveries

• energy source – Charcoal, Pellets, Propane, Gas, etc.
• smoking wood – hunk, crisps or pellets.
• water bottle – Sprinkle the roast with it while it cooks. We use one inexpensive spray bottles from Amazon.
• thermometers – Always use a meat thermometer. Our favorite digital thermometer is this Thermaworks Dot.

Wood recommendation

The smoke should complement the roast and not drown it out. Because pork has a delicate flavor, we recommend sticking with cherrywood, applewood, or oak.

Pork fillet brine for smoking

If you like dry salt, lather up with the dry rub and refrigerate, covered, up to 24 hours ahead of time.

Dry brining helps draw the excess water out of the roast and then reverses the process to reintroduce the seasoning into the meat. It enhances the flavor and makes it tender by breaking down the muscle fibers.

expert tips

• Always use a thermometer when preparing smoked pork loin. You want to cook based on temperature, not time.
• Pork loin can easily overcook and dry out! Be sure to keep an eye on the roast as it cooks.
• Optional: Spray the roast with water, broth, or apple cider vinegar every 30 minutes to ensure maximum moisture.
• Cut against the grain into 1/4″ – 1/2″ thick slices.

leftover ideas

If you have leftovers, you can dice them and add them to fried rice, beef stroganoff, or cheese quesadillas.

Leftover pork will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Side dish ideas

Anything is possible with pork. Here are our favorite side dishes:

Smoked Baked Beans
Smoked Asparagus
Smoked macaroni and cheese
Pasta salad with dill pickles
Smoked Potatoes

Beverage pairings to roast smoked pork loin

Fruity wines pair well with grilled pork tenderloin, including: dry rosé, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Zinfandel, or a light Pinot Noir.