Quick Look at this Easy Pork Loin Marinade
- Prep Time: 5 minutes!
- Marinate Time: 30 minutes – 4 hours
- Yield: about 1 cup – enough for a pork loin (~1.5 pounds)
- Main Ingredients: soy sauce, ketchup, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, & spices.
- Dietary Info: Whole30/Paleo-friendly, dairy-free, and gluten-free
- Cooking Methods: use marinade before making smoked pork loin or grilled pork loin!
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Why This Pork Loin Marinade Works
- So easy! Only 10 ingredients that you probably already have.
- Flavor-packed – garlic, dried herbs, soy sauce, and ketchup combine for the best flavor!
- Use a compliant ketchup to make it Whole30/Paleo.
- Versatile → perfect for pork loin or any cut of pork.
- Meal prep up to 4 hours ahead of time!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Ketchup – either make your own homemade ketchup or use a compliant ketchup for Whole30/Paleo.
- Soy Sauce – sub with tamari or coconut aminos to make it gluten-free.
- Olive Oil – any neutral oil would work (i.e. avocado oil, etc).
- Lemon Juice – a touch of acidity helps to amplify the flavors, but if you want to marinate the pork for longer than 4 hours omit this ingredient.
Pork Loin vs. Pork Tenderloin
Typically a pork loin is wide and flat in shape. It is firm with a little fat marbling and is cut from a pig’s back. A pork tenderloin is long and thin. This cut of meat is very lean and usually smaller in size overall. This marinade can be used for both!
How To Make A Pork Loin Marinade
Step 1 – Put all of the ingredients in a bowl.
Step 2 – Whisk the marinade together.
How Long To Marinate Pork Loin?
At least a minimum of 30 minutes, but for maximum flavor it is suggested to marinate for 2-4 hours. This simple pork loin marinade has some acidity due to the lemon juice. Therefore, it is best to not let it marinate for longer than 4 hours or it will start to breakdown the muscle fibers too much. To marinate for longer than 4 hours, omit the lemon juice.
Step 3 – Pour the marinade over the pork loin and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4 – Cook the pork loin any way you want!
Best Ways To Cook Marinated Pork Loin
There are a variety of different ways to cook pork loin after it has marinated, here are a few:
- Grill: love the flavor of a grilled pork loin!
- Smoker: easily make a smoked pork loin.
- Or make your favorite oven roasted pork loin or slow cooker pork loin.
- This marinade would also be great on grilled pork chops!
Pork Loin Marinade FAQs
Due to the acidity of the lemon juice, it can only be frozen in the marinade if you omit the lemon juice. It can be added back in about 30 minutes before cooking, if desired.
Yes, 30 minutes to 4 hours ahead of time if you use the recipe as written. To prep further ahead of time, omit the lemon juice to keep it from changing the texture of the meat.
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup soy sauce, sub coconut aminos
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine: In a small bowl, add ¼ cup ketchup, ¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, and ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt. Whisk to combine.
- Marinate: Place pork loin in a silicone storage bag, plastic bag, or glass container and pour marinade over top. Let marinate at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Use: Cook however you want – we love this smoked pork loin recipe!
Notes
- Paleo/Whole30 – simply use complaint ketchup (Primal Kitchen ketchup is a great option) and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Yield: makes approx. 1 cup.
Teri says
This was a fantastic marinade for pork! Looking forward to trying your chicken marinade next.
Erin says
Awesome to hear, Teri! Thanks for coming back to leave a rating and review!