Smoked Pork Loin (Family Favorite) | How To Smoke A Pork Loin

Pork loin is a cut of meat that is sure to be a family favorite. It’s a particularly tender cut that is inexpensive and easy to prepare. There are dozens of different ways to prepare it including: roasting, broiling, frying, and many more.

But there is one kind of way to cook meat that many people consider to be the king when it comes to flavor. That method is the increasingly popular smoking!

Smoked Pork Loin (Family Favorite) | How To Smoke A Pork Loin

So you’re considering making smoked pork loin. This is a great choice! Smoking is an incredible way to lock in a huge number of delicious flavors into your pork.

Your friends tell you it’s the best way, or perhaps you’ve found a recipe and would like to know more about the process. Sometimes, smoking meat can feel more like a science than cooking is, so if you find yourself struggling with how to get started – you’ve come to the right place!

Below is a guide that will take you through everything you’ll need to know to make the most impressive smoked pork loin possible.

We’re going to take you through every step of the process, including temperatures, ingredients, and some extra tips that will help you to unlock every shred of flavor that’s possible!

We’ve also made sure to include an extensive FAQ section, that will help answer any additional questions you might have.

What Is Smoking?

Okay, so let’s say you’re completely new to smoking – let’s say you don’t even really know what smoking is! We’re here to start you on the absolute basics. Smoking is a cooking technique where food is cooked using smoke as its primary ingredient.

The smoke is produced by burning wood chips, herbs, spices, or other natural materials. When used properly, smoking gives foods a unique taste, aroma, texture, and color.

You can achieve this by purchasing an offset smoker, which uses a small amount of heat to create the smoke. Alternatively, you can use a charcoal grill, which produces smoke naturally.

You could also try smoking with a gas stovetop, but we’d recommend against it because it doesn’t produce enough smoke for proper smoking.

The Benefits Of Smoked Food

When you think about the benefits of smoking food, they seem pretty obvious. First off, smoking creates a moist and tender product. Second, it adds depth, complexity, and flavor to foods. Third, it helps retain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

Finally, smoking preserves food from spoiling. All these reasons alone should convince you to give smoking a go.

But there are plenty of other reasons why you should add smoked food to your diet. Here are just a few:

It’s Healthier For You

Not only does smoking preserve food, but it also makes it much easier to digest. Plus, it reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer.

It Tastes Better

Whether you’re eating smoked salmon, chicken wings, ribs, steak, or anything else, you’ll notice a difference between smoked and non-smoked foods.

It’s Cheaper

If you’re looking to eat healthily, then smoking is a great option. Because it requires no electricity, fuel or special equipment, it costs less than almost all other methods of preparing food.

Choosing The Best Smoker

We’re going to go over this section first, but feel free to skip this if you already have your best smoker. There are many different types of smokers available, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Some are built to be portable, while others are meant to stay put. Others feature large grills, while others focus on smaller grills.

Regardless of which type you choose, remember that the size of your smoker will determine the capacity of your food. For example, a larger smoker may hold up to 15 pounds of meat at once, while a smaller smoker may only hold 2 pounds.

So when choosing your smoker, keep in mind how big your family is, and pick one accordingly.

Pre-Prep

Pre-Prep

Let’s go over a few of the things you’ll need to keep in mind before firing up your smoker. 

How Much Wood Should I Use?

Now that you know what you want out of your smoker, you’ll need to figure out how much wood you’ll need. This depends entirely on the type of smoker you purchase, but generally speaking, you’ll need somewhere around 100-150 grams per hour.

If you’re unsure, check out our guide to calculating wood requirements.

Will My Meat Need Brining?

Brining is a common practice among chefs who like to get creative with their food. It involves soaking meat in saltwater before cooking.

This draws moisture into the meat, making it more tender and juicy. However, brining isn’t necessary for every kind of meat. We’ve found that most pork loins don’t need to be brined before smoking, as they tend to be very lean.

If you do decide to brine your meat, make sure you soak it thoroughly. In addition to adding flavor, brining also helps draw moisture into the meat.

What Kind Of Fuel Do I Need?

You’ll need some sort of fuel source to light your fire. There are two main options here: charcoal briquettes and hardwood logs. Both work equally well, so whichever you prefer is fine. Just make sure you buy the right amount of fuel for your smoker.

Charcoal Briquettes

These are made from compressed sawdust and coal dust. They burn hot and fast, producing lots of smoke. But they can be messy, and they take time to heat up.

Hardwood Logs

These are made from seasoned wood and contain natural oils that give them an even burn. They produce less smoke than briquettes, but they last longer. You can use any type of wood you’d normally use for barbecuing.

Lighting Your Fire

Once you have your wood ready, it’s time to start lighting your fire. Most people recommend using lighter fluid to ignite the log, but we think it’s best to avoid flammable liquids whenever possible. Instead, try these alternative ways to light your fire:

Use A match

This works best with hardwoods. Simply strike a match against the side of your grill or smoker until it lights. The match should catch easily on the side of the grill. Once lit, blow on the end of the match to extinguish it.

Use A Long Wooden Dowel

This method works best with charcoal briquettes. Hold the dowel between your hands, then rub the ends together. Blow on the end of the dowel to extinguish it. Repeat this process until you hear the briquettes pop.

Use A lighter

This method works best for hardwoods. Light the end of your lighter, then place it under the grate of your smoker. When the lighter starts to smoke, remove it from the grate and blow on the flame to extinguish it.

Smoked Pork Loin 

Now that we’ve got the basics of smoking out of the way, let’s get into how we can whip up a perfect pork loin dish.

In this section, we’re going to take you through everything you’ll need to know about pork loin, and include a short recipe that can get you started with the best seasoning and cooking times. 

How To Find The Best Quality Pork Loin

Pork loins come in many different sizes, shapes, and flavors. You must find one that suits your needs. If you want something leaner, then look for a boneless cut. This means that it has been removed from the bone.

If you want something fattier, then choose a bone-in cut. This means that the bones remain attached.

If you want to cook the pork loin quickly, then select a thick cut. Thick cuts tend to be more expensive, but they’re also very tasty. They’re usually vacuum-packed, so they won’t dry out during storage.

How To Season Your Pork Loin

When smoking your pork loin, we recommend using a dry rub before starting your cooking experience.

Dry rubs are made up of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, oregano, thyme, sage, bay leaves, and sometimes other ingredients like chili flakes. These seasonings will help enhance the flavor of your meat. 

Try experimenting with different combinations until you find one that works well for your taste.

Once you have prepared your dry rub, apply it liberally onto the surface of your pork loin. Make sure you cover every inch of the meat. Then place the pork loin in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

After that time, remove the pork loin from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for another 15 minutes. At this point, you should be ready to begin smoking.

We’ve also included a more complex recipe below if you’re looking for something to follow. 

Smoked Pork Loin Recipe

This simple pork loin recipe is perfect for those who don’t want to spend too much time preparing a meal. It takes just 20 minutes or less to put together, and it tastes amazing.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 cup hickory wood chips
  • 1/2 pound pork loin

How To Smoke Your Pork Loin

How To Smoke Your Pork Loin

Step 1 

The first step you need to do when smoking your pork loin is to prepare your smoker. You can use any type of smoker that you prefer. Some people swear by an electric smoker, while others love their gas smokers.

Whichever method you decide on, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Step 2 

Next, you need to smoke your pork loin. We recommend smoking pork loin over hickory wood chips. Hickory wood is known as hardwood, which means that it burns slowly and evenly.

This makes it great for smoking meats because it gives them a long-lasting smoky flavor. Our favorite brand of hickory wood chips is Woodchip Nation.

Step 3 

After you’ve smoked your pork loin, you need to rest it. Resting is simply letting the meat sit after you’ve finished smoking it. During resting, the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise.

This allows the meat to reach its final temperature without overcooking it. Once the meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, you can serve it.

Step 4

You can now slice your pork loin and enjoy!

Other Ways To Cook Pork Loin

Let’s say you’ve gotten to this point in the article, and you’ve decided that smoking pork loin is not for you. If this sounds like you, we’ve got a few alternative methods. The first option is roasting your pork loin. Roasting is a quick way to cook pork loin.

Simply preheat your oven to 350°F, then place your pork loin inside. Bake for about 25-30 minutes per pound.

Another option is grilling your pork loin. Grilling is another popular method of cooking pork loin. However, you’ll want to grill your pork loin over medium heat.

For best results, you’ll want to brush some olive oil on the outside of your pork loin before placing it on the grill. Grill for about 10-15 minutes per pound.

Finally, there’s a pan-frying pork loin. Pan-frying is a quick and easy method of cooking pork loins. To pan-fry your pork loin, all you need is a skillet with enough grease to coat the bottom of the pan. Heat the grease until it starts to smoke.

Add your pork loin to the skillet, and let it fry for about 5-10 minutes per side. Serve immediately.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! Smoking is really as complex as you’re willing to make it. Some pitmasters will swear by specific techniques, temperatures, and seasonings – but the truth is you’re going to want to experiment yourself to find out what is best.

We hope that the guide above will act as a good starting point that will help you with your first 

We know that sometimes this can feel overwhelming, that’s why we’ve included a short FAQ section that will aim to answer any additional questions you might have. Check below if you still have some questions!

Best of luck with your smoking journey, we hope that you make a smoked pork loin that will become a new family favorite! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you leave us today, get your last-minute questions answered below! 

 What Is A Pellet Smoker?

A pellet smoker is a type of smoker designed to be used for smoking food. They were invented in the 1970s by John Cunha, a chef at the time working for Bob Evans Restaurants. He created these smokers to provide his customers with an affordable way to smoke their foods.

These smokers work by using pellets made from compressed sawdust mixed with other ingredients such as corn cob or rice husks. The pellets are burned in a chamber where they release moisture into the air. This moist air is then blown through vents located around the chamber.

As the moist air passes through the vents, it dries out and cools down. When the air has cooled down, it enters the chamber again and becomes hot once more. This process continues until the air reaches a temperature between 200°C and 300°C.

Once the air has reached its desired temperature, it flows back into the room where it hits the food being smoked. This causes the food to absorb the smoke flavor.

The most common types of pellet smokers include:

  • Gas-fired pellet smokers
  • Electric pellet smokers
  • Charcoal pellet smokers

Pellet smokers come in different sizes, ranging from small tabletop models to large commercial units. Most of them also feature built-in features such as digital controls, timers, thermostats, and even WiFi connectivity.

Some models also allow you to add accessories such as a rotisserie, warming drawer, drip tray, and much more.

How Do I Use A Pellet Smoker For Cooking?

When choosing a pellet smoker to use for cooking, you’ll want to consider how many people will be using the unit. If you plan on having several guests over for dinner, you may want to choose a larger model that allows you to cook multiple items at once.

On the other hand, if you only plan on using the pellet smoker occasionally, you may want to opt for a smaller model that doesn’t take up too much space. You’ll also want to consider whether you plan on using the pellets for smoking meat or vegetables.

If you plan on using the pellets for smoking meats, you’ll want to look for a pellet smoker that comes equipped with a meat probe so you can monitor the internal temperature of the meat.

If you plan on using the pellets for smoking vegetables, you’ll want to make sure that the pellet smoker you purchase includes a vegetable probe so you can monitor when the vegetables reach the right level of doneness.

Can I Use Brown Sugar To Season Pork Loin?

Yes, brown sugar can be used to season pork loin. However, it’s important to note that brown sugar contains molasses which gives off a strong aroma. It’s best to use dark brown sugar instead. Dark brown sugar has fewer molasses than light brown sugar.

Where Can I Buy A Pellet Smoker Online?

You can buy a pellet smoker online from various retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Costco. Many stores offer free shipping options.

Is There Any Difference Between Smoking With Wood And Using Pellets?

Wood is another option for smoking meats. While wood does give off a smoky flavor, it’s not quite as efficient as pellet smoking. Some say that pellet smoking produces a better smoke flavor.

What Is The Best Way To Cook Meat In A Pellet Smoker?

There are two ways to cook meat in a pellet smoker. One method involves placing raw meat directly onto the grate. Another method involves first searing the meat on the stovetop before transferring it to the pellet smoker.

To sear the meat, place it in a skillet and heat it over high heat. Sear the meat for about 2 minutes per side. Remove the meat from the pan and let it rest while you preheat the pellet smoker.

Place the meat on the grate in the pellet smoker and close the lid. Set the timer for 30 minutes. 

After 30 minutes, open the lid and check the internal temperature of the cooked meat. If necessary, reseal the lid and continue to cook the meat until it reaches your preferred degree of doneness.

Do I Need To Clean Smoker Every Time I Use It?

Most smokers have removable grates that allow you to clean them easily. Simply remove the grate and wash it thoroughly under hot water. Be careful not to burn yourself when cleaning the grill, and that it has cooled down. 

John Rinder
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