Instant Pot Pork Loin

Need to transform a pork loin roast into a quick and easy supper? Use a pressure cooker! An Instant Pot—or another brand of electric pressure cooker—is particularly good at cooking pork because you can brown the meat using the saute function and then switch to the pressure cooker function to soften the meat while cooking it in a moist environment. This helps ensure the best flavor and tender, juicy pork.

For this version of Instant Pot pork loin, we cook the meat in tangy sweet-and-sour sauce and pair it with sweet pineapple and savory vegetables, but you can use the method to make a meal with any number of other ingredient combinations. Keep reading for the recipe and all of our best Instant Pot tips for mastering pork.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Pork Loin

• Paprika: Adding dry herbs or spices to the exterior of the pork loin helps build big flavor into the finished dish. Paprika helps give the pork an appealing reddish color, but you can use any seasoning mix or spice rub that you like.
• Pork loin roast: Lean and juicy boneless pork loin roast has a mild flavor that suits the sweet and tangy sauce in this recipe.
• Vegetables: Firm vegetables soften in the pressure cooker along with the pork. For this particular combination, crunchy and savory onion and green pepper contrast the sweetness of the pineapple in the dish to complement the meaty pork.
• Sauce: Cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce and a splash Worcestershire sauce create a tangy, sweet and savory sauce to coat the pork and veg.
• Green onions: As with slow cooker meals, those cooked in the pressure cooker benefit from something fresh as a finishing touch. Pleasantly pungent green onions are our pick to accompany this sauce combination, but other sauces would be good with fresh herbs or citrus zest instead.
• Cornstarch and cold water: Because the Instant Pot is sealed during pressure cooking, the moisture inside doesn’t evaporate from the pot the way it would if you were cooking on the stovetop. Adding a slurry of cornstarch mixed with cold water thickens the sauce to a velvety texture with a clear color. As an alternative to cornstarch, try arrowroot powder instead.
• Hot cooked rice: Adding an optional carb means you don’t need anything else for dinner besides this tangy pressure-cooked pork loin. Hot cooked rice is particularly good with the sauce, but you could also use quinoa or cooked noodles instead.

Directions 

Step 1: Sear the pork loin

Place the paprika in a large shallow dish. Add the pork, a few pieces at a time, and turn to coat. Select the saute setting on a 6-quart electric pressure cooker and adjust for medium heat, then add the oil. Brown the pork in batches. Return all pork to the pressure cooker.

Step 2: Pressure-cook pork in the Instant Pot

Drain the pineapple, reserving its juice; refrigerate the pineapple. Add the pineapple juice, onion, green pepper, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and salt to the pressure cooker. Lock the lid and close the pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 10 minutes. Quick-release the pressure.

Step 3: Thicken the sauce and add pineapple

Select the saute setting and adjust for high heat; bring the liquid to a boil. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth and gradually stir it into the pork mixture. Add the pineapple. Cook and stir until the sauce is thickened, one to two minutes. If desired, sprinkle with green onions and serve over rice.

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Instant Pot Pork Loin Variations

• Thai-inspired Instant Pot pork loin: Marinate the pork in red or yellow curry paste and lime juice, and replace the sweet-and-sour sauce with an equivalent volume of curry paste and coconut milk. Finish it off with a squeeze of lime juice and a handful of fresh basil leaves. Serve with sticky rice.
• Green chile Instant Pot pork loin: Omit the pineapple and instead add diced jalapenos and rinsed and drained canned black beans. Dust the pork in chili powder before browning. Replace the sauce with jarred red or green salsa. Serve with a side of cilantro-lime rice.
• Teriyaki Instant Pot pork loin: Replace the sweet-and-sour sauce with teriyaki sauce, and add some creamy cabbage slaw and pan-fried potstickers on the side.

How to Store Instant Pot Pork Loin

Refrigerate leftover pork loin in an airtight container for up to four days. Reheat gently in the microwave until heated through. You can also freeze Instant Pot pork loin for up to three months. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it.

Can you freeze Instant Pot Pork Loin?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze Instant Pot pork loin. It’s a wonderful way to have a quick and easy meal ready to go. It will keep in your freezer for up to three months. 

How do you reheat pork loin?

Warm the leftover pork loin over medium heat in a covered skillet. Splash in a spoonful of water to adjust the texture of the sauce and create a steamy environment to gently warm the meat. You can also reheat it, covered, in the microwave.

Instant Pot Pork Loin Tips

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Is pork loin the same thing as pork tenderloin?

No, pork loin roast and tenderloin are two different cuts from the same area. The loin roast is a larger cut of the loin than the tenderloin, which usually weighs about a pound.

How do I know when the pork loin is cooked through?

From a food safety perspective, pork should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F. If you would like your pork to be well done, you can cook it to 160°. Check out our guide on the internal temperature of pork for more details.

What else can you do with pork loin roast?

Pork loin roast is a versatile cut! Try it roasted, slow-cooked, grilled or on the stovetop. Check out this guide to some of our favorite pork loin recipes.