Smoked Pork Loin

5 from 3 votes
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This smoked pork loin is tender, juicy, and full of rich, smoky flavor. Seasoned with a simple spice rub and slow-cooked to perfection, it’s an easy yet impressive main dish that’s perfect for cookouts, holidays, or weekend dinners.

Traditionally when I think of pork loin roast I think of Sunday dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls, and green beans; the works. But it is time to totally rethink that, because a smoked pork loin is unbelievably delicious and should be enjoyed any day of the week!  

pork loin roast cut in half on cutting board

 

This smoked pork loin is perfect if you are feeding a crowd or just your family.  It takes about 2 1/2 hours to smoke, so it isn’t a huge investment like when you are making Smoked Pork Butt.  Plus pork loin is a reasonably priced cut of meat, so it is a great way to elevate it into something new.  

If you have never tried smoking pork like this you are in for a treat.  It isn’t the same as pulled pork, instead you get the sweet pork flavor in a super tender and juicy cut of meat.  

whole pork loin roast on a cutting board with a knife

What You’ll Need

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

  • Pork Loin Roast – you really can use any size and the cooking time doesn’t change much.
  • Olive Oil
  • Brown Sugar
  • Kosher Salt
  • Chili Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Paprika
  • Black Pepper
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Celery Salt
  • Cumin

You are making your own sweet dry rub for this recipe. If you have a spice rub you like or you have The Best Dry Rub on hand or even Dry Rub For Ribs, you can easily swap that out for the spices listed.

pork loin on smoker

How To Smoke Pork Loin

  1. Set Up Smoker. Start by preheating your smoker.  Get it set up to cook around 225º F. Use your favorite chips, I like apple wood or something mild for pork.
  2. Prep Pork. Most pork loin roasts you buy at the store has a thin layer of fat on top.  You want that there, it will help keep the meat nice and juicy.  Just cut diagonal lines criss-crossing on the top of the roast.  You want to cut about 1/4 inch deep and end up with diamonds across the top.
  3. Season. Rub the roast with a tiny bit of olive oil to help the rub to stick. Generously coat the pork with the rub.  
  4. Cook. Once the smoker is ready, place the roast (fat side up) and insert a meat thermometer probe if you have one.  Cover and cook for about 2 1/2 hours, until it reaches 145º F. There is no need to wrap a pork loin in foil when smoking, it is a quick cooking cut of meat and not something that you are cooking long enough to need.
  5. Rest and Serve. Once the pork is cooked let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to serve.
slices of pork roast on a cutting board

How Long To Smoke Pork Loin

Just like when you are smoking anything, this is subject to change slightly based on your smoker and how evenly it keeps the heat.  I find that a 3-4 pound pork loin roast takes about 2 1/2 hours to reach 145º F

Measuring the temperature of your meat is the best way to know when it is actually done. I use this one from Thermoworks every time we grill or smoke.  You can measure the temperature of the meat and the smoker, so it is makes getting it done right super easy with no guess work. 

Storage

Store any leftover pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. You can reheat in the microwave or heat slices in a hot skillet.

sliced pork roast on cutting board

More Smoking Recipes

Smoked Pork Loin Roast - the most tender, juicy, and flavorful pork roast ever! Super easy to make and costed in a delicious sweet rub. 
5 from 3 votes

Smoked Pork Loin

Smoked Pork Loin Roast – the most tender, juicy, and flavorful pork roast ever! Super easy to make and costed in a delicious sweet rub. 
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total: 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 3-4 pound pork loin roast
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Sweet Rub

Instructions 

  • Preheating your smoker to 225º F. 
  • Meanwhile cut diagonal lines criss-crossing on the top of the roast about 1/4 inch deep to end up with diamonds across the top.
    3-4 pound pork loin roast
  • Mix all of the ingredients together for the rub.
    1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoon chili powder, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon celery salt, 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Rub the roast with a tiny bit of olive oil to help the rub to stick. 
    1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • Generously coat the pork with the rub.  
  • Once the smoker is ready, place the roast (fat side up) and insert a meat thermometer probe if you have one.  Cover and cook for about 2 1/2 hours, until it reaches 145º F.
  • Once the pork is cooked let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 60g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 181mg | Sodium: 1075mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 480
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About Erin Sellin

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and Iโ€™m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, youโ€™ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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6 Comments

  1. I have my husband running to the store to grab a pork loin for dinner tonight. I can’t wait to toss together this sweet rub and toss the loin on the grill. My mouth is already watering!