Instant Pot Pork Loin

Name: Instant Pot Pork Loin
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups hard cider (or apple cider); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 large white onion (sliced); 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 1/4 teaspoon salt; salt and pepper (to season the pork loin); 1 5-pound pork loin

August 18, 2022 by Stephanie Manley 34 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Making a pork loin has never been so easy! Add your pork to your Instant Pot, set for 55 minutes, and sit back and wait. The result is this flavorful Instant Pot Pork Loin with apple cider and onions!

Instant Pot pork loin on top of cooked onions on a platter.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Why This Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast is Special

Pork loins are an inexpensive cut of pork that can be made into a variety of different meals. The flavors of the pork and apple combine beautifully to make this dish perfect for any night of the week.

This recipe is flavored with onions, garlic, and hard cider. However, if you don’t drink alcohol, you could use either apple juice or apple cider. Both will work just fine.

By using the Instant Pot on the manual setting you can really infuse the meat with the wonderful flavor of apple.

And if you don’t have an Instant Pot, I have also included a slow cooker method below!

What Makes Apple Cider Pork Loin in the Instant Pot So Good?

Pairing apples and pork is a classic flavor combination. The sweet acidity of the apples helps to brighten up the otherwise mild taste of the pork loin. It’s a savory dish with wonderful fall flavors.

If you opt to use flat hard apple cider, you’ll further tenderize the pork for an even more unbelievably moist and delicious meal.

What is Pork Loin?

Not to be confused with its cousin, the pork tenderloin, the pork loin is a larger cut of meat that comes from the back of the pig. Very much like the tenderloin or a pork chop, this cut of meat is very lean.

The loin is a much bigger cut of meat so it’s often called a “roast” or as the “center-cut pork roast”. It can be sold with or without bones.

If you pick up a large whole loin, cut it up and make a couple of different roasts out of it. Or you can cut lots of boneless pork chops from just one pork loin.

I like to purchase a pork loin when it is on sale so I can make many meals from it. It’s a great value especially since there is very little waste with such a large cut of pork.

Is Pork Loin the Same as Tenderloin?

Despite sounding similar, they are two different cuts of meat.

Pork loin is thick and wide, rectangular, with a thick fat cap on top. It comes from the back portion of the pig.

Tenderloin is a long and slender cut of meat that comes from near the pig’s spine. Since the muscle that makes up the cut does very little work, the meat is very tender and mild tasting. There is no fat cap on the tenderloin, and it is one of the leanest cuts of pork.

What Is the Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Loin Roast?

A pork loin and a pork loin roast describe the same cut of meat, although you will more often see meat labeled as pork loin in the US. But don’t confuse a pork roast with a pork loin roast.

A pork roast does not describe a particular cut of pork but rather the size and shape of the cut.

Pork Loin Instant Pot Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

Vegetable oil
White onion
Salt
Ground black pepper
Garlic
Pork loin
Hard cider or apple cider

Instant Pot pork loin ingredients on a tray.

How to Cook Pork Loin in an Instant Pot

This pork loin is so flavorful and so easy to make. It’s so tender and moist, and the browning of the sides of the loin before you pressure cook it in the Instant Pot gives it a nice flavor.

Here are the steps:

If you are using hard cider, set it out and allow it to go flat.
Set the Instant Pot to sauté.
Add oil to the pot and heat it until it’s hot.
Add sliced onion, garlic, and salt.
Saute until the onions are slightly translucent.

Season the pork loin with salt and pepper.
Place the pork loin in the pot.
Sauté the pork on all sides and sear until lightly browned on all sides.

browned pork loin and cooked onions in an Instant Pot.

Add the flat hard cider.

browned pork loin, cooked onions, and apple cider in an Instant Pot.

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot.
Cook on high pressure for 55 minutes.
Perform a quick release at the end of the cooking time.
Slice and serve with the onions and juices from the meat.

Instant Pot Pork Loin sliced and on top of onions on a platter.

How Long Do You Cook Pork in the Instant Pot?

According to the Instant Pot website, you should cook a pork loin for around 20 minutes per pound, but cooking times may vary depending on how long it will take for your Instant Pot to reach pressure.

What if my roast is slightly smaller or bigger, do I need to change the time listed?

No. Leave the time as listed. Pressure cooking requires the dish to be under pressure for the listed time.

How Do I Know My Pork Loin Is Cooked?

The best way to guarantee that you cook the pork loin long enough is to check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.

You can remove the pork loin once it reaches 145 degrees, or let it cook until 160 degrees if you like your pork more well-done.

Remember that when you let the pork rest, carryover cooking will raise the temperature by about five degrees.

Can You Overcook Pork in an Instant Pot?

Yes! Despite some online articles claiming you can’t overcook meat in the Instant Pot, you absolutely can. So, follow the Instant Pot pork loin recipe, and use a thermometer to check for doneness.

Tips for Buying, Cooking, and Serving Pork Loin

When buying a pork loin, choose one with pinkish-red color with some marbling in the meat. Do not pick up a loin with meat that is pale in color or has dark spots in the fat.
How much pork loin do I need per person? The rule of thumb is to plan on 1/2 pound per person when serving pork, a roast, steak, or chicken.
It’s always best to cook the loin right away but it can stay in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before cooking. Make sure you let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Pork is ready when it measures 145°F with your meat thermometer.

Can You Cook a Frozen Pork Loin?

Cooking meat from frozen is one of the best benefits of using an Instant Pot pressure cooker. However, you have to think about a few things if you choose not to thaw the pork loin:

You should increase the cooking time by about 50 percent.
It is much more challenging to season frozen meat compared with thawed meat.
You may need to add more liquid to compensate for a longer cooking time, which may throw off the recipe.

How to Thicken the Pork Loin Roast Instant Pot Juice

One of the best ways to thicken the liquid and turn it into a mouthwatering glistening gravy is by using a beurre manie. It sounds fancy, but it is nothing more than a mixture of equal amounts of flour and softened butter.

To thicken this recipe:

Knead together a tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of flour to make the beurre manie.
Strain the pan juices into a small saucepan.
Simmer the liquid over medium heat and whisk half of the beurre manie into the liquid.
Continue to whisk for about a minute until the liquid thickens. If you want a thicker sauce, add the rest of the beurre manie.

How to Store, Freeze and Reheat Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to six months.

To reheat the pork loin on the stovetop:

Slice the pork loin into individual servings. Preslicing the pork loin reduces the time it will take to reheat and helps prevent the meat from drying out.
Place a single layer of pork slices in a large pan. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of cooking liquid on top of the meat. If you don’t have any extra cooking liquid, use stock or water.
Cover the pan and warm over medium heat.

To reheat the pork loin in the microwave:

Place the slices in a microwave-safe dish.
Add a little chicken broth.
Brush the meat lightly with melted butter or oil.
Loosely cover the dish with a lid.
Microwave in 30-second increments until it’s warmed through.

Instant Pot Pork Loin and cooked onions on a white platter.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Apple Cider Pork Loin

There are so many wonderful side dishes to serve with this dish. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Check Out These Great Instant Pot Recipes

Find lots of easy pork recipes and the best Instant Pot recipes here on CopyKat!

Are you ready to make this Instant Pot Pork Loin? Make sure you let me know what you think in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook or Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for the latest CopyKat recipes!