Half-Roast Pork Loin with Citrus and Herb Rub

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

An herbaceous and lightly citrus-infused half-roasted pork loin, delivering tender, juicy meat with a crisped golden crust. This french-inspired pork ready in about 45 minutes pairs pork loin roast, olive oil, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 French cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to form an herb-citrus rub.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 2 lbs pork loin roast. Rub the entire surface evenly with the herb-citrus mixture, massaging it into the meat.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork loin on a roasting rack in a shallow pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes (half of an average 60-minute roast) until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium rare.
  4. Step 4: Remove the roast from the oven and transfer to a plate to rest, tented loosely with foil for 10 minutes.
  5. Step 5: While resting, place the roasting pan over medium heat on the stove, add 1/4 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup chicken broth to the pan drippings. Scrape the pan with a wooden spoon and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Slice the rested pork loin and serve drizzled with the citrus-herb pan sauce.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Roast Pork Loin with Citrus and Herb Rub take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Half-Roast Pork Loin with Citrus and Herb Rub?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork loin roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Roast Pork Loin with Citrus and Herb Rub?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-Roast Pork Loin with Citrus and Herb Rub for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Half-Roast Pork Loin with Citrus and Herb Rub?

French pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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