If you’ve tried cooking pork loin in your Instant Pot only to end up with a tough, chewy result, you’re not alone. While the Instant Pot is great for quickly cooking many cuts of meat, pork loin can be tricky. The good news is there are some easy tips you can follow to ensure your Instant Pot pork loin turns out juicy and tender every time.
Common Causes of Tough Instant Pot Pork Loin
There are a few common reasons why pork loin might turn out tough when cooked in the Instant Pot:
- Overcooking – Pork loin is a very lean cut that can quickly become dry and tough if overcooked. The high pressure environment of the Instant Pot can accelerate this.
- Not enough liquid – Pork loin needs sufficient moisture to break down the tough muscle fibers. Cooking without enough liquid can lead to a dry, tough texture.
- Wrong cut of meat – Center-cut pork loin is very lean. Choose a fattier cut like pork shoulder or pork butt for better results.
- Improper release – Letting the pressure release naturally can overcook the pork. A quick pressure release is best.
- Fat cap not removed – The fat cap on pork loin can prevent seasoning and moisture from penetrating the meat.
Choosing the Right Cut of Pork
Choosing the right cut is one of the most important things when aiming for tender pork loin from the Instant Pot. Here are some guidelines:
- Look for cuts labeled “pork butt” or “pork shoulder” instead of “pork loin.” The shoulder contains more fat and connective tissue.
- Choose bone-in cuts like a Boston butt or bone-in pork shoulder. The bone adds flavor and moisture.
- Opt for a larger 3-5 lb pork shoulder roast over individual pork loin chops.
- For pork loin, choose thicker 2-inch chops over thin chops.
Fattier, well-marbled cuts like pork butt are ideal for the Instant Pot. The intramuscular fat and collagen will break down into succulent, fall-apart meat. If using pork loin, choose thicker chops for more even cooking.
Seasoning and Preparing the Pork
Properly seasoning and preparing the pork prior to cooking is also key for tender results:
- Trim any thick areas of visible fat or silver skin, but leave some fat intact for moisture.
- Rub the meat all over with salt, pepper and other desired seasonings.
- Allow the seasoned pork to rest for at least 15-30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge. This helps the salt penetrate.
- Cut larger roasts into 2-inch chunks so the meat cooks more evenly.
- Browning the pork first adds deeper flavor but is not essential.
Removing the silver skin and seasoning in advance will flavor the pork better. Cutting roasts into smaller pieces speeds up cooking. Browning adds a caramelized crust but isn’t necessary.
Liquid and Cooking Time
Having the right amount of liquid and cook time is imperative for tender Instant Pot pork:
- Use at least 1 cup broth, water, juice or wine to create steam and moisture.
- For bone-in or larger cuts, use 2 cups liquid. Too little will lead to toughness.
- Keep cook times brief, especially for pork loin. Shoot for 8-15 minutes under pressure.
- For pork shoulder or butt, cook 18-30 minutes until fork tender.
- Allow for 10-15 minutes natural release to gradually finish cooking without overdoing it.
Having sufficient braising liquid and limiting cook times prevents the pork from drying out. Pork shoulder benefits from longer cooking to break down collagen. A natural release prevents overcooking.
Pressure Release Method
The way you release the pressure can also impact pork texture:
| Release Method | Best For |
|---|---|
| Natural release | Pork shoulder, larger roasts |
| Quick release | Pork loin, chops, smaller cuts |
A natural release where the pressure comes down gradually is best for larger cuts like pork shoulder as it completes cooking without overdoing it. Quick release is ideal for delicate pork loin to prevent overcooking.
Resting the Pork
Resting the pork after cooking allows juices to redistribute for moister meat:
- Let pork rest at least 5 minutes before slicing or shredding.
- Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
- The internal temperature will rise about 5°F during resting.
- Resist the urge to slice pork immediately. Resting is key.
Be patient and allow pork to rest after cooking. This important step makes the meat more flavorful and juicy.
Moisture-Adding Ingredients
Adding ingredients that inject extra moisture into the pork as it cooks can also combat toughness:
- Brining pork in salt water hydrates the meat.
- Rubbing pork with honey, maple syrup or brown sugar helps retain moisture.
- Braising pork in fruit juices like apple, pineapple or orange juice gives lots of flavorful liquid.
- Cooking pork in sauce or gravy provides sufficient braising liquid.
Ingredients like brines, sweeteners and fruit juices all help pork retain moisture as it cooks for a tender finish. Having plenty of braising liquid is key.
Best Instant Pot Pork Loin Recipes
To highlight these tips, here are some excellent Instant Pot pork loin recipes engineered for tenderness:
Maple Dijon Pork Loin
- Uses pork tenderloin for quick, even cooking
- Maple syrup and Dijon mustard keep pork juicy
- 1 cup broth prevents dryness
- 8 minutes under pressure then quick release
Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Loin
- Brown sugar rub flavors and tenderizes
- Garlic adds moisture and flavor
- 1 cup apple juice braises the pork
- Natural release for gently cooked meat
Pineapple Teriyaki Pork
- Pineapple juice gives a sweet and tangy flavor
- Teriyaki sauce also provides liquid
- Quick release to avoid overcooking
- Thick pork chops stay juicier
Following recipes formulated for Instant Pot with plenty of moisture built in will help ensure your pork loin cooks up tender and delicious every time.
Conclusion
With the right cut of pork, proper prep, sufficient liquid and ideal cook times, you can absolutely get moist, fork-tender pork loin from your Instant Pot. Bone-in pork shoulder is ideal, but even lean cuts like pork loin can turn out juicy and delicious with the right techniques. Prepping and seasoning the pork in advance, using quick release, and allowing the pork to rest are all important keys for success. Follow these tips and your Instant Pot pork loin will impress every time.