How to Cook Pork Roast Uncovered at 250 Degrees

Are you searching for a better way to cook your pork roast so it's not so dry? You may want to try a slow cook pork loin in oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking your pork loin at a low temperature may take longer, but you end up with a more tender, juicier roast.

According to the National Pork Board, roasting is a dry method of cooking that enhances the flavor of your meat. Traditionally, when roasting your pork in the oven, you cook it at 400 F. A slow roast pork loin 250 degrees isn't really roasting, but as the name implies, it's more of a slow roasting, notes the National Pork Board.

The National Pork Board recommends larger cuts of pork when choosing to prepare your pork at lower temperature. Good options include pork loin or shoulder roast. Slow cooking these pork roasts improves moisture retention, while at the same time helps melt the collagen fibers to create the fork-tender roast you're looking for.

Nutritionally, pork loin and the shoulder roast, also referred to as Boston butt, aren't all that different. However, the pork loin is a better source of protein and lower in total fat and saturated fat. According to the USDA, a 3.5-ounce serving of raw pork loin has 132 calories, 22 grams of protein, 4 grams of total fat and 1.3 grams of saturated fat, while the same serving of raw pork shoulder roast has 132 calories, 19 grams of protein, 6 grams of total fat and 2 grams of saturated fat.

Although the differences are slight, too much saturated fat increases blood cholesterol levels and your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to less than 6 percent of your daily calories. So if you eat 2,000 calories a day, you should try to keep your daily saturated fat intake to 13 grams or less.

Read more: How to Make Oven-Baked Boneless Pork Chops

You can find pork loin with or without the bone. While the bone-in cut of meat may add more flavor, boneless pork loin is easier to carve, according to the National Pork Board.

Boneless pork loin recipe ingredients:

• 2- to 4-pound boneless pork loin
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 F.
2. Pat your boneless pork loin dry with paper towels.
3. With a sharp knife, score the outer fat into a crosshatch pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat.
4. Season the roast with salt and pepper.
5. Place the pork loin roast on a rack in a roasting pan and then into the oven.
6. Slow roast the pork until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 F.
7. Allow the roast to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Cooking time for your pork loin may depend on the size of your roast, but it can take 7 to 8 hours. While you can slow cook pork roast in the oven overnight, it may be a safety hazard. You should always keep a close eye on your oven when it's in use.

If you like the slow-cook method, but don't have time to babysit your oven, you may want to consider using your slow cooker to prepare your pork roast. This slow cook method can work as well as your oven to create a juicy, tender roast.

Whatever method you choose for your boneless pork loin roast recipe, be sure to use your meat thermometer to check for doneness. The USDA recommends pork roast be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 F to kill bacteria and parasites that lead to foodborne illness.

Read more: Is Pork Better Than Beef?

Pork roast is a hearty and flavorful meat. Serve your pork roast with healthy side dishes to balance out the flavor. Wild rice pilaf or roasted potatoes make a delicious and healthy option to serve with your pork roast. If you're watching your carbs, consider roasted cauliflower or cauliflower mashed potatoes.

Roast pork is often served with applesauce. There's nothing wrong with serving jarred applesauce with your pork, but look for ready-to-serve applesauce with no added sugar. Some brands add high-fructose corn syrup to sweeten applesauce. According to the Mayo Clinic, high intakes of added sugar are linked to obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

You can also make your own healthy apple side dish to go with your slow roast pork loin in oven. Apples can be peeled, quartered and stewed in apple juice on the stove or cored and sweetened with dried fruit or honey and baked in the oven.