Photo of Garlic-Herb Roasted Pork Loin by WW

Garlic-Herb Roasted Pork Loin

5
Points® value
Total Time
1 hr 20 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
1 hr
Serves
12
Difficulty
Easy
In this modern riff on pork chops and applesauce, lean pork loin is studded with fresh garlic, rubbed with savoury herbs, then roasted for an hour to let the flavours sink in. Applesauce, meanwhile, gets a boost from fresh pears and chives. Just be careful not to confuse pork tenderloin for pork loin—tenderloin is a smaller cut and would overcook if used in this recipe.

Ingredients

Uncooked lean trimmed pork loin

3 pound(s), use 1 boneless roast

Garlic

3 clove(s), large, cut into thin slices

Rosemary

2 tbsp(s), fresh, chopped

Fresh thyme

2 tbsp(s), chopped

Olive oil

1 tbsp(s)

Table salt

1 tsp(s)

Black pepper

½ tsp(s)

Unsweetened applesauce

2 cup(s)

Pear

2 medium, ripe, peeled, cored, and finely chopped

Chives

¼ cup(s), fresh, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Using a small knife, make about 24 slits in the pork. Insert the garlic slices into the slits.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the rosemary, thyme, oil, salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture all over the pork, pushing some of the mixture into the slits.
  3. Line a large roasting pan with heavy-duty foil and arrange a rack inside. Transfer the pork to the rack. Roast, uncovered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the pork registers 145°F, about 1 hour.
  4. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the applesauce, pears, and chives.
  5. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes. Thinly slice the pork and arrange on a platter. Spoon any pan drippings over the pork. Serve the apple-pear sauce in a small bowl alongside the pork.
  6. Yields about 3 ounces of pork and 1/4 cup of pear-applesauce per serving.