Herb-Roasted Pork Loin with Garlic and Thyme

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A succulent pork loin roasted with fresh garlic, thyme, and a blend of Italian herbs for a flavorful, tender main course. This Italian-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs pork loin roast, garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, 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: 70 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Pat dry a 3 lb pork loin roast and use a small knife to make 12 shallow slits all over the roast. Insert 6 sliced garlic cloves and 4 fresh thyme sprigs into the slits for infused flavor.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1 tsp lemon zest to create an herb rub.
  3. Step 3: Rub the herb mixture all over the pork loin evenly, making sure to cover every surface.
  4. Step 4: Place the pork loin on a rack in a roasting pan and roast in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F and the outside is golden brown.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain. Serve with pan juices or your favorite sides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Roasted Pork Loin with Garlic and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 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 Herb-Roasted Pork Loin with Garlic and Thyme?

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 Herb-Roasted Pork Loin with Garlic and Thyme?

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 Herb-Roasted Pork Loin with Garlic and Thyme for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Herb-Roasted Pork Loin with Garlic and Thyme?

Italian 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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