Description
This festive Christmas Pork Loin with Cranberry Sauce combines a tender, herb-seasoned pork loin roasted to perfection and topped with a vibrant, homemade cranberry sauce. A perfect centerpiece for holiday dinners, this recipe balances savory and sweet flavors in an easy-to-follow method that yields juicy, flavorful meat and a tangy, fresh sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Pork Loin
- 2–3 lbs pork loin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Cranberry Sauce
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for roasting the pork loin.
- Season Pork Loin: Rub the pork loin evenly with olive oil, then season it thoroughly with salt, black pepper, rosemary, and thyme to infuse it with aromatic herbal flavors.
- Prepare for Roasting: Place the seasoned pork loin in a roasting pan, ensuring it sits securely for even cooking.
- Make Cranberry Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Apply Sauce: Pour the warm cranberry sauce over the pork loin, coating the meat thoroughly to enhance flavor during roasting.
- Roast Pork Loin: Roast the pork loin in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) to ensure it is perfectly cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest Meat: Remove the pork loin from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat more tender and juicy.
- Serve: Slice the pork loin and serve it with additional cranberry sauce on the side for extra tang and sweetness, ideal for holiday celebrations.
Notes
- Check the internal temperature of the pork with a meat thermometer to avoid over or undercooking.
- For a thicker cranberry sauce, simmer it a bit longer until desired consistency is achieved.
- Allow the pork to rest after roasting to maintain juiciness.
- Use fresh cranberries for best flavor, but frozen cranberries can be substituted if necessary.
- Rosemary and thyme can be adjusted to taste or replaced with sage for a different herbal note.
- If preferred, cranberry sauce can be served on the side rather than poured over the meat during roasting.
- This recipe pairs well with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete holiday meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas pork loin, cranberry sauce, holiday roast, festive pork recipe, roasted pork loin with cranberries, herb-seasoned pork, holiday dinner main course
