Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Loin Roast has a deep, rich and tangy flavor. The balsamic reduction sauce over the pork roast is amazing! This is a wonderful pressure cooker pork loin roast recipe.
The sauce is so delicious on this Instant Pot pork roast!
Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Loin Roast
The Instant Pot does a great job of cooking roasts. The secret is to know which cuts of meat need a longer or shorter amount of cook time. They can be very different.
Other than a pork shoulder (also called a butt, though it is not from that end!), my two favorite cuts are the loin and the tenderloin.
These are sliceable roasts, that are best when they are served with a flavorful sauce.
Pork Loin Roast or Pork Tenderloin?
I think that in the world of pork roasts, these two are the most confusing. Since the names are so similar, they often are mistaken for each other. They are different!
PORK LOIN ROAST
This is a rectangular shaped pork roast. It can be bone-in or boneless. The pork loin usually weighs 2 pounds or more, often up to 6 or 7 pounds. It needs a much longer cook time than the tenderloin.
PORK TENDERLOIN
This is a smaller, more rounded cut of pork. This tubular shaped little roast is very tender when cooked appropriately. Tenderloins are usually 1 to 2 pounds and boneless. It needs a shorter cook time than the loin roast.
What if My Roast is Frozen?
Generally, you will not increase the cook time with a frozen roast. However, since you won't be able to brown it first, it will require some extra cook time.
You will go ahead and cook the onions as instructed, then put the roast in. Add 10 minutes per pound. It is best to use a meat thermometer after cooking to make sure that the roast has reached 145°.
Will a Pork Loin Roast Make Pulled Pork?
- Yes, many people do make pulled pork from a pork loin. I prefer using a pork shoulder for pulled pork as it is very tender and much juicier.
- If you want to make pulled pork from a pork loin, you will need to cook it longer to get it to a shreddable consistency (maybe 45-60 minutes). This will be a very lean, possibly dry, pulled pork, so make sure to save some of the liquid to pour over the shredded meat to keep it moist.
- The seasonings will be different than in this balsamic pork loin recipe. See my Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe for a tasty pulled pork seasoning idea.
Instant Pot Balsamic Apple Pork Tenderloin
Instant Pot Mississippi Pork
Instant Pot Kalua Pork (Kalua Pig)
Instant Pot Maple Mustard Pork Chops
If you make this Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Loin Roast recipe, please leave me a comment below and let me know how you liked it!
Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Loin Roast has a deep, rich and tangy flavor. The balsamic reduction sauce over the pork roast is amazing!
- 2 lb Pork Loin Roast* (not tenderloin) boneless
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon Pepper, divided
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, sliced into thick rounds
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ⅓ cup Apple Cider
- ⅓ cup Balsamic Vinegar (good quality)
- 1 Tart Apple, such as Granny Smith, sliced thick (core it, but no need to peel)
- 3 Tablespoons Corn Starch
- 3 Tablespoons Cold Water
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
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Salt and pepper all sides of the roast, using 1 tsp of the salt and ½ tsp of the pepper. Set aside.
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Turn on the Sauté setting. When hot, add the oil.
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Add the pork roast and and onion. Brown the roast for 2-3 minutes per side. Then remove it to a plate.
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Sprinkle the garlic powder, and remaining salt and pepper over the onions.
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Add the apple cider, and when it starts to simmer, stir, scraping the bottom of the pot to get up all of the browned bits (deglaze).
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Pour in the balsamic vinegar.
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Add the apple slices to the pot and then set the roast on top.
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Cancel the sauté setting.
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Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 30 minutes. High Pressure. (if your roast is larger than 2.5 pounds, or is bone-in, add 10 minutes cook time per pound.). The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
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When the cook cycle has finished, turn off the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 12 minutes (12 minute natural release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining steam/pressure.
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When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
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Take the temperature of the roast. It should be close to 145° F. If it is much below that (by 10 degrees or more), place the lid back on the pot and seal it. Then set time for "0" minutes and after it is done, let it sit 5 minutes before releasing pressure and opening it.
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Remove the roast to a plate and loosely cover with foil.
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Whisk together the corn starch and the cold water. Set aside.
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Turn the sauté setting on and when it starts to simmer, stir in the corn starch slurry. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.
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Turn off the pot and taste the sauce before adding the honey. You can add more honey if you like it sweeter, or omit if you think it is sweet enough. Adjust salt if desired.
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Transfer roast to a serving dish, slice it, and pour some of the sauce over it.
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Serve each portion with some of the extra sauce.
*A bone-in pork loin will require extra cook time, depending on the size.
RESOURCES TO MAKE Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Loin recipe and more
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Pin This Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Loin Recipe
Sue
Thought it was easy and really good! I didn’t have apple cider so I substituted ginger ale. My husband didn’t like the sauce because he thought it was too sweet but I thought it was just right.
Eileen Theresa Boyd
just made this even the aroma had everyone running sauce is fantastic.
pork is juicy as can be this is a keeper......
Jessi Lorenz
I don't care for onions. Will it affect the roast if I leave them out? Or, do they stay intact well enough that I could take them out of the pot at the end before making the gravy? Thanks! Jessi
Sandy
You can just omit them.
Lezlee Dice
Hello,
I was wondering if it matters what type of apple you use, granny smith or gala?
Thank you,
Lezlee
Sandy
I prefer a sweet apple, but you can use whatever you have!
Dr. Ashleigh M
This was sooooo delicious!!! A few adjustments - used 1 apple and 2 medium golden beets (using what I have in COVID times). Pureed the sauce with immersion blender at the end before adding corn starch. THE SAUCE IS TO DIE FOR!!! SO good. And the pork was so juicy and flavorful. Thank you for a great recipe!
Lisa Macek
This was so easy and delicious. I only had a 1 1/2 lb roast so I shortened the cook time by 7 minutes and it was perfect!
I will definitely make this again, the gravy was delicious!
Karla
Wow. Just wow. My instant pot is a little aggressive, so I cooked my 2.25 lb roast for 20 minutes, then NPR for 10. It turned out perfect. And the sauce, the SAUCE. I used my immersion blender to liquefy it, then added the cornstarch slurry and honey as instructed. It took all my self control not to lick the instant pot clean. So flavorful. I will absolutely make this again. THANK YOU!
Laura
This is a hit for two adults and one 5 year old. Lots of extra sauce so I am saving it for another loin. Only thing I am making a mental note for the next time is to use a sweet apple instead of a Granny Smith.