Comparison of pork loin and pork tenderloin.

Pork Loin vs Pork Tenderloin Differences

 

The Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin

Your recipe calls for a pork tenderloin, but when you get to the market, you find both pork tenderloin and pork loin. Which one do you need? The size difference is obviously extreme.

In short, the large pork loin is normally prepared as a roast, while the pork tenderloin is cooked hot and fast. These photos and additional information will help you choose the right cut for your recipe.

Pork Loin

Pork loin is a fairly lean cut of meat, other than the fat cap. There’s a reason why it’s marketed as “the other white meat.” When cooked, the meat does indeed turn white. It’s a good choice for those on a low-fat diet. The fat cap can easily be trimmed off, although I suggest leaving it on during the cooking process to retain juices and trimming it after the fact if you must.

Pork loin is cut from the topside of the backbone framework of the pig. Several different cuts come from the whole pork loin, and you can save money by cutting this large piece yourself. It’s a long cylindrical, boneless piece of meat that is larger on one end and smaller on the other. Imagine cutting the whole loin into thirds. The center third of the loin may be cut into steaks or boneless chops. The large end is sold as pork sirloin roast. The smaller end is sold as country-style ribs. The whole loin averages around 20 pounds, and can be upwards of 30 inches in length.

This is half of a pork loin, usually prepared as a roast.

This is half of a pork loin, usually prepared as a roast.

In most grocery chains, you’ll most likely find a center-cut loin roast or an end-cut sirloin roast.

Pork loin can be tough, because it is a lean muscle. Slow-roasting is recommended to give time for the fibers to break down and tenderize. However, over-cooking can make the roast even tougher. Forget the old wives’ tales about cooking pork to death. Today’s commercial pork bears virtually no risk of trichinosis. It should be cooked to no more than a medium doneness, about 160 F. in the center. Keep in mind that the pork loin will continue to cook during the recommended 10-15 minutes resting period, so you might want to remove it from the oven at 155 F.

I usually buy a whole or half pork loin and cut it into pork loin steaks. To be certain they will be nice and tender under a quick cooking method on the grill or stovetop, I pound them with my favorite meat tenderizer and re-shape into steaks. I then wrap them individually in plastic wrap to freeze in an air-tight zip-top bag. (One of our favorite pork loin steak recipes is Pork Loin Steaks With Raspberry Cranberry Pan Sauce.)

This is the pork loin roast that I'm cutting into steaks.

This is the pork loin roast that I’m cutting into steaks.

The pork loin steak on the left has been pounded and reshaped.

The pork loin steak on the left has been pounded and reshaped. The one on the right is waiting its turn to be tenderized.

When selecting pork loin, look for color and marbling, much like beef. The redder the meat, the leaner it is. The leaner it is, the tougher it is. For the most tender pork loin, look for a pale, rosy color, hopefully with tiny streaks of white throughout.

Both the pork loin and pork tenderloin have a tough silver-skin surrounding the meat. This is normally trimmed off before packaging to sell. If not, you’ll want to remove it with a sharp paring knife.

Pork Tenderloin

The pork tenderloin is found under the topside of the backbone. This is the filet mignon of the pig. It’s small, usually about 1 pound in weight and 10 to 12 inches long.

This whole pork tenderloin is about 12 inches long and 3 inches in diameter.

This whole pork tenderloin is about 12 inches long and 3 inches in diameter. The measuring cup is there for size comparison.

Just as beef filet mignon is the most tender part of the cow, the pork tenderloin is the most tender part of the pig. This is because it doesn’t get exercised like the loin. As such, you need to cook it fast and hot or risk wasting that tenderloin investment by overcooking. This gourmet cut will almost literally melt in your mouth if not overcooked.

Try this Balsamic Pomegranate Pork Tenderloin recipe for a quick and easy gourmet entree.

Cook the pork tenderloin to an optimum inner temperature of 145 to 150 F, medium-rare. It should be slightly rosy in the center when done.

• You Might Also Like: Balsamic Glazed Pork Rib Roast Recipe

• More Pork Recipes

Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin Photos ©2016 Peggy Filippone
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The Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin
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The Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin
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What is the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin? Take a look at these photos and explanatory information to make your choice.
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Peg's Home Cooking

One Comment

  1. Hey Peggy,

    Thanks for the explanation of the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin. The photos were particularly helpful.

    Two suggestions in your text. It should be “old wives’ tale,” not “old wive’s tale.” Wive is not a word in the English language. Also, the old fear in undercooked pork was trichinosis, not salmonella. Trichinosis is caused by the trichina worm that can live in pork.