Instant Pot Pork Loin

What is Pork Loin?

Pork loin roast is a large, wide, & thick cut of meat from the pig’s back. It’s a tender, lean, & budget-friendly cut of pork. The loin roasts can be sold bone-in or boneless. They’re also commonly cut into individual portions & sold as pork chops (bone-in) or steaks (boneless).

What’s the difference between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin?

It can be quite confusing when buying Pork Loin & Pork Tenderloin!

Though Pork loin & Pork tenderloin sound similar, they look quite different because they’re cut from different parts of the pork.

• Pork Loin (Right): a larger, wide, flat meat from pork’s back; boneless or bone-in; lean, tender; meatier than pork tenderloin
• Pork Tenderloin (Left): a long, narrow muscle that runs along the backbone; leanest, most tender cuts; boneless

Even though they’re both lean cuts of pork, but they differ in size, thickness, and shape, they’re not easily interchangeable in recipes & cooking methods.

What temperature should you cook pork loin?

Since Pork Loin is a delicate, lean cut of pork, it’s very important not to overcook the meat! According to USDA, it’s safe to consume pork with an internal temperature of 145°F.

At this temperature, the pork loin is medium-rare, so it’ll be slightly pink in the middle.

Secrets to tender, juicy, & flavorful pork loin?

• Avoid overcooking: Use the right cooking time according to the size of your pork loin until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F.
• Use a meat thermometer: Invest in a reliable meat thermometer if you don’t have one!
• Rest pork loin: Let the pork loin rest after pressure cooking – the internal temperature will continue to rise.
• Slice pork loin against the grain
• Serve & eat immediately: Pork loin dry out quite quickly after slicing.

Step-by-Step Instant Pot Pork Loin Cooking Guide

Here are the ingredients for cooking pork loin in Instant Pot.

Herbs: The rosemary and oregano pair very well with pork. 

Pork Loin: We tested this Instant Pot pork loin recipe multiple times using boneless pork loins ranged from 2″ – 2.5″ in thickness. The pork loin we used to finalize our recipe was Thick: 2″ x Length: 6″ x Width: 4.5″.

Tools for Cooking Pork Loin in Instant Pot

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
• Meat Thermometer
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups

Brown Pork Loin in Instant Pot

First, press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up Instant Pot.

It will switch to “ON” on the screen.

Wait until it says “HOT” on the screen (takes roughly 8 minutes).

*Pro Tip: You can prepare the remaining ingredients during the preheating and browning processes.

Roughly mince the garlic, then slice the onion.

*Pro Tip: Make sure Instant Pot is as hot as it can be to induce a Maillard reaction.

Now, add 1 – 2 tbsp olive oil (15 – 30ml) in the Instant Pot’s inner pot. Ensure the whole bottom is coated with olive oil.

Pat dry the pork loin with a paper towel.

Then, season one side of the pork loin with kosher salt and black pepper.

Place the pork loin in Instant Pot (with the seasoned side facing down).

Brown the first side for 4 minutes. 

Then, season the other side of pork loin with salt and black pepper.

After 4 minutes, flip over and brown the other side of pork loin for another 4 minutes.

Finally, set aside the browned pork loin.

Saute Onion and Garlic

*Note: Your Instant Pot’s inner pot should look quite brown. Don’t worry! Your pot didn’t burn, those caramelized brown bits will add yummy flavors to your pork loin. 🙂

Add one more tbsp (15ml) olive oil in Instant Pot.

Then, add in sliced onions, then saute for 3 minutes.

Add in 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp (0.5g) dried oregano, 1 tsp (1g) dried rosemary, and minced garlic in Instant Pot. Then, saute for another 30 – 45 seconds until fragrant.

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.

Give it a quick mix.

Pressure Cook Pork Loin

Add in 2 tbsp (30ml) regular soy sauce, then give it a quick stir.

Then, add the browned pork loin in Instant Pot.

*Pro Tip: Give it a few wiggles and try to get the pork loin to be as close to the bottom of the inner pot as possible. We want the pork loin to be partially submerged in the cooking liquid in this recipe. So we’re not using a trivet with this Instant Pot pork loin recipe.

Close lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing position.

• For 2″ Thick Pork Loin: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 8 minutes + 30 minutes Natural Release
• For 2.5″ Thick Pork Loin: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 8 minutes + 45 minutes Natural Release

*Note: Make sure your Instant Pot is in the “Keep Warm” mode during Natural Release.

Open the lid, then measure the pork loin’s temperature at its’ thickest part with a meat thermometer.

Pork Loin Temperature Too Low?

For medium-rare pork loin, we’re aiming for 143°F – 145°F.

If the temperature is too low, simply flip over the pork loin in Instant Pot, then close the lid. The temperature should rise 8°F – 10°F per 15 minutes.

*Note: Do not pressure cook again because we’re using the “Keep Warm” mode to slow roast the pork loin.

Thicker Pork Loin Needs Longer “Keep Warm” Time

The thicker your pork loin, the longer it’ll take to reach the desired temperature.

Keep in mind that if your pork loin is much thicker than the one we used to develop our recipe, it may take a much longer “Keep Warm” time.

*Note: Keep checking the temperature every 10 – 15 minutes depending on the size of your roast.

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

From our 4 temperature tests in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (see below chart), it’s fine to open & close the lid to check the temperature.

Also, the “Keep Warm” mode is great for slow roasting the pork loin in Instant Pot.

Make Pork Loin Gravy

Once the pork loin has reached 143°F – 145°F, remove and set aside on a chopping board.

Loosely wrap the pork loin with aluminum foil & let it rest for 4 – 6 minutes before slicing (*Note: the temperature will continue to rise while resting).

While the pork loin is resting, let’s make the tasty gravy!

First, bring the onion garlic sauce to a simmering with the “Saute” function.

Then, mix 2 tbsp (16g) all purpose flour with 3.5 tbsp (52ml) cold water. 

*Pro Tip: This amount of flour + water mixture will produce a thin gravy. If you enjoy a thicker gravy, adjust by using more all-purpose flour and water.

Mix flour mixture into the pork loin gravy in Instant Pot one third at a time until desired thickness.

Finally, taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper if necessary.

Serve Instant Pot Pork Loin

After 4 – 6 minutes rest, you can slice your Instant Pot Pork Loin. 🙂

You can either cut the pork loin into thick-cut pork loin steaks or thin sliced pork loin. 

*Pro Tip: Cut pressure cooker Pork Loin against the grain for best result.

Look at how juicy it is 🙂

Serve the tasty Pork Loin immediately after slicing because they dry out quite quickly.

Serve this classic Instant Pot Pork Loin with Gravy and your favorite side dishes.

Enjoy this Tender & Juicy Instant Pot Pork Loin!

More Instant Pot Pork Recipes

Instant Pot Pork Chops

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin