A pork roast makes a perfect Sunday dinner, or on any day of the week. Pork roast is warm, filling, and comforting. Pork roast is also more budget-friendly than a beef roast, but it’s just as tasty. It makes a complete meal when served with potatoes. It’s sure to satisfy anyone whose favorite meal is meat and potatoes.
Pork Roast Recipe
One of the best things about a pork roast is that it serves a crowd. Most pork roasts are at least a couple of pounds in weight, which serves a whole family with plenty left over. Especially when served with potatoes and perhaps some carrots on the side, your family won’t leave the table feeling hungry.
A good pork roast has lots of satisfying protein and comforting carbohydrates from the potatoes. It really is everything you want and need from a meal.
You can make a lot of delicious meals with the leftovers from this pork roast. Leftover pork roast is a perfect filling for enchiladas or soaked in barbecue sauce for BBQ pork sandwiches. Even just plain leftover roast on regular bread is delicious.
Of course, if you’re like us, you think that anything tastes better with gravy. And you can easily modify this recipe so that you can make gravy with the pork drippings. Just add a cup or two of water to the pork roast after you take it out of the oven and whisk in a couple of tablespoons of flour. Voila! Suddenly, you’ve got your gravy to serve with your pork roast and on your potatoes.
Instant Pot Pork Roast
If you’re a lover of the Instant Pot, you might be wondering if you can cook a pork roast in it. And guess what? You absolutely can! The Instant Pot was practically made for cooking large cuts of meat like a pork roast in a jiffy.
Pork roasts are delicious and hearty, but they take a long time to cook. Sometimes you get in the mood for a pork roast but you just don’t have a couple of hours to wait for one to get done. That’s where the Instant Pot comes in handy.
It’s up to you which cut of meat you want to use for your pork roast dinner. A pork loin roast is leaner and has less fat, which is healthier but is less likely to give you drippings for gravy. The leaner cut is also more likely to burn, so you need to watch it a bit more closely and possibly reduce cook time.
A pork shoulder roast, also known as a pork butt roast, has more fat. It’s the right choice if you want to use your leftover pork roast for carnitas-style meat for enchiladas or tacos. It will also make a very flavorful gravy. You can put the pork roast in the Instant Pot after you’ve been out running around all day and it won’t require any extra effort.
Sauté your garlic, herbs, potatoes, and any other vegetables you might want to add to the Instant Pot. Once you’ve sautéed the seasonings and veggies, it’s time to add the roast. Whether you cook your pork roast in the oven or the Instant Pot, it’s bound to make the whole family happy.
How Long Will Leftover Pork Roast Last?
Depending on the size of your family, you may be left with a lot of leftover pork roast. It's important to use this leftover roast in time; otherwise, you're just washing money down the drain! Like most meats, pork roast will last for 3-4 days in the fridge once cooked.
Of course, this is assuming it is stored correctly. Leftover pork roast should, ideally, be stored in a sealed, airtight container. If you don't have a large enough container, consider breaking the pork roast up into smaller pieces and storing it that way. We don't recommend using a zip-top bag over a plastic container, but it can work in a pinch.
If you want your leftover pork roast to last longer, you can always freeze it. Remember to write the date of freezing on the container, so you know how long it has been in there for. In addition, keep in mind that particularly large cuts of meat will take multiple days to thaw in the fridge. Make sure you transition the roast from freezer to fridge 48-72 hours in advance.
Before preparing your leftovers, check to ensure they're still in good condition. You shouldn't be hit with a rancid or off smell when you open the container. Trust us when we say it will be pretty evident! Other signs that your meat has gone bad include an odd or slimy texture, mold, a bad taste, or an odd color. When in doubt, we suggest just throwing it out.
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Spiced Apple Pork Tenderloin and our Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe.
PrintRoast Herbed Pork with Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 60 minutes
Description
A pork roast makes a perfect Sunday dinner for the family—or any day of the week. Pork roast is warm, filling, and comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons chopped dried rosemary
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 (3-4 pound) boneless pork loin roast
- 4–6 medium red skinned potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Mix the garlic, rosemary, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper in a small bowl. Rub the pork loin with the mixture and place the pork on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
- Roast for 50 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cover the potatoes with water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and cook for about 10 minutes until barely tender. Drain and let cool.
- Toss the potatoes with the olive oil, thyme, remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, and remaining ½ teaspoon of pepper in a large bowl.
- Place the potatoes around the pork loin and roast for an additional 45 to 60 minutes or until the pork registers at least 155 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
- Cover the roast with foil and let stand for about 15 minutes before slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 50 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/RonBailey.