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Roasted pork loin & rooster with potatoes and carrots.
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Can Cooked Pork Loin Be Frozen? How to Tips + Recipe

If you are wondering, "Can Cooked Pork Loin Be Frozen?", then you have come to the right place for all of the information you need with how-to tips and a great recipe to get you started.
Freezing cooked pork loin is a convenient way to preserve its flavor and tenderness for later use as well as the best way for easy meal prepping.
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time20 minutes
Cooking Time for Pork Loin1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: gluten free low carb, keto dinners, low carb dinner, pork dinner
Cuisine: American
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Yield: 1 batch
Author: www.melissaraecarr.com
Cost: 5

Equipment

  • parchment paper
  • Freezer Paper
  • Freezer Zip Top Bags or Freezer Safe Container
  • Sharp Knife

Materials

  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Roaster Pan or Shallow Casserole Pan
  • Tongs
  • 1 3lb Pork Loin center cut or roast
  • 1 large onion cut into rings
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground oregano
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

Roasting The Pork Loin:

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and line the bottom of your roasting pan or casserole dish with the onions in a single layer.
  • Place the pork loin on a large sheet pan and pat it dry with paper towels.
  • Set it aside and mix together all of your spices in a small bowl then rub them all over the raw meat on all sides.
  • Preheat your skillet over medium heat then sear your spiced rubbed pork loin on every side.
  • Now place the pork loin on top of the onions you placed in the bottom of your roaster.
  • Pour the cold water into the skillet and use a whisk to deglaze the pan.
  • Pour this flavorful liquid over the pork loin in the baking pan.
  • Now place in the 450F oven for 15 minutes.
  • Once the time is up, turn the temperature down to 325F without opening the oven door,
  • Cook time for a pork loin at 325F is 25 minutes per pound.
  • This is to ensure you do not cook it the wrong way, end up with uncooked pork and risk any foodborne illnesses.
  • In the case of a 3lb pork loin the cooking time would be 1 hour and 15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for minimum required temperature.
  • I prefer mine a bit more well done so I go for 160F.
  • Once it is cooked, cover the roaster with the lid or cover your pan with foil for 20 minutes. This allows the juices to return to the meat rather than run out with cutting too soon.
  • Now slice the roasted pork loin and serve it with your favorite sides. When you are done with dinner, let your leftover meat cool down to a warm temperature.
  • Its a good idea to let the cooked pork loin cool completely at room temperature no more than an hour to prevent bacterial growth.

Freezing The Cooked Pork Loin:

  • The quality of the meat at the time of freezing will be the quality of it once thawed for your next dinner, so be sure to prepare it for freezing correctly.
  • If you have not already, cut the pork loin into individual servings for easier thawing and storage. This also gives you the best quality with smaller pieces as its the easy way to prevent frozen meat from getting freezer burnt.
  • Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, tin foil, freezer wrap, butcher paper or freezer paper to prevent freezer burn and exposure to air.
  • Then you will put these individually wrapped pieces into airtight freezer bags, squeezing out excess air before sealing.
  • Alternately you can place the wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe container instead of a large resealable freezer bag.
  • Make sure you use shallow containers as it will not allow much air around the meat as it freezes. Write the expiration date on the container or plastic bag 3 months out from the date you packaged it to ensure it is used within a reasonable time frame.
  • Place the wrapped and labeled portions in the coldest part of the freezer, ensuring they lay flat to save space and facilitate even freezing.

Notes

Can I cook my pork loin in an Instant Pot with the same results as the roasting in the oven?
The results are similar but do have a slightly different texture with the pressure cooker. You would still proceed with patting the meat dry, rubbing with spices and searing in a skillet then degalzing the pan, BUT instead of putting it into a roaster pan you put it into the Instant Pot on a trivet. Pour the onions and cup of deglazing water over the seared pork loin that you place on the trivet. Cook it on HIGH pressure for 20 minutes then let it release naturally for 15 minutes. Once it is done, release any remaining pressure and transfer to a cutting board. Let it sit 5 minutes before cutting into it.
If I want to add bbq sauce or another sauce, when do I add it onto the pork loin?
It is best to add it in at the end and then put it under the broiler for a few minutes to caramelize. This way your sauce will not run off the meat and be diluted with the broth.
What recipes can I use my leftover pork loin in?
You can use leftover pork in any recipe calling for pork or chicken with tasty results! Try it in my Low Carb Fried Rice Recipe instead of the ground pork called for. Or you can go the Mexican route and use the leftover pork in my Gluten Free Cheesy Green Chile Skillet instead of the chicken called for.