Description
Rich orange cranberry pork loin roast brings festive holiday flavors to your dinner table with bold Mediterranean-inspired zest. Juicy roasted pork mingles with tangy cranberries and bright citrus, creating a memorable main course you’ll savor and celebrate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) boneless pork loin roast
Liquid Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) orange juice (divided)
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces (226 grams) sweet orange marmalade (1/2 jar)
- 7 ounces (198 grams) whole cranberry sauce (1/2 can)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C) and thoroughly drying the pork loin with paper towels to ensure optimal seasoning and searing.
- Massage the pork with olive oil, then generously coat with salt and pepper, covering all surfaces for maximum flavor penetration.
- Heat a skillet to high temperature and sear the pork, rotating every 2 minutes to create a golden-brown crust on all sides, approximately 10 minutes total.
- Create a vibrant glaze by whisking together orange juice, apple cider vinegar, marmalade, and cranberry sauce in a mixing bowl until well combined.
- Transfer the seared pork into a roasting pan and lavishly coat with the prepared glaze, ensuring even coverage.
- Roast the pork in the preheated oven, periodically basting with sauce every 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 140-145F, which typically takes 60-80 minutes.
- Remove the roast from the oven and tent with foil, allowing it to rest for 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices and ensure tenderness.
- While the pork rests, pour remaining orange juice into the roasting pan and simmer the sauce, reducing and intensifying its flavors.
- Slice the roasted pork, drizzle with the thickened sauce, and garnish with fresh orange slices and cranberries for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Pat the pork completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect crispy exterior and prevent steaming during searing.
- Replace cranberry sauce with raspberry preserves or apricot jam for a different flavor profile that still complements the pork.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking, as pork loin can quickly become dry and tough when left too long in the oven.
- Prepare the glaze a day in advance and store in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors and save time on cooking day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 317
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 264 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 89 mg