Brined Pork Loin Rib Roast

Pork Loin Rib Roast, Sliced
Diana Rattray
Prep: 12 mins
Cook: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 12 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This pork rib roast is brined and then roasted with a spiced brown sugar rub. The brine keeps the pork juicy while adding some flavor to the meat.

A mixture of Creole seasoning, cumin, and brown sugar add flavor to this delicious pork loin. The brine contains salt, maple syrup, and orange juice.

Serve this tender, juicy pork roast with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables or a simple salad. The pork roast is an excellent choice for a special dinner or weekend meal. 

Ingredients

For the Brine:

  • 3 cups cold water

  • 3 tablespoons kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 cups orange juice

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

For the Rub:

  • 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning, or Cajun seasoning, preferably salt free

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. In a large saucepan, combine half of the water with the kosher salt. Bring to a boil, and stir until the salt has dissolved. Remove it from the heat, and add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cold water, the orange juice, and the maple syrup; stir to blend. Let the mixture cool.

  2. Pat the pork roast with paper towels to dry. Place the roast in a large, nonreactive food container, heavy duty 2-gallon zip-close food storage, or freezer bag.

  3. In a bowl, combine the cold water, orange juice, kosher salt, and maple syrup, pour over the roast, and move the container around to coat the pork thoroughly. Refrigerate the pork overnight, or for about 8 to 18 hours.

  4. In a small bowl, combine the rub ingredients, blend well, and set aside.

  5. Remove the pork roast from the brine, and discard the brine. Rinse the pork and pat dry.

  6. Place the roast on a rack in a roasting pan, and rub it all over with the seasoning rub mixture.

  7. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C/Gas 4).

  8. Roast for about 20 minutes per pound, or until the roast registers 145 F on a food thermometer or oven probe.

  9. Let the pork roast rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.

Tips

  • A brine with about 3 percent to 6 percent salt affects the meat in a few ways. The solution dissolves some of the protein structure, which makes it possible for more of the brine to penetrate the meat. The brine increases the water-holding capacity of the meat, making it more tender and juicier.
  • The brine absorbed into the meat increases its weight as much as 10 percent or more, so even though meat typically loses 20 percent of its moisture when cooked, the absorbed brine keeps it juicier.

Recipe Variations

  • Replace the orange juice with apple cider or apple juice, if you'd like.
  • Feel free to add some dried herbs to the brine. A few teaspoons of dried sage, thyme, or rosemary are good choices.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
67 Calories
0g Fat
16g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 67
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2235mg 97%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 23mg 117%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 137mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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