Sweet & Savory Pork Loin Marinade

Orange-Balsamic Roasted Pork Loin

Bold flavors, simple prep—because Mondays deserve better.

Ever have one of those Mondays? Gray, damp, misty...like something straight out of Stephen King’s The Fog. The kind of day that makes you want to roll over, cocoon yourself in blankets, and pretend the world doesn’t exist. But then reality hits, you’ve got five hungry mouths to feed, and takeout isn’t an option?

That’s where this pork loin marinade comes in. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just enough punch to wake up your taste buds (because let’s be honest, Mondays need all the help they can get). Orange juice and balsamic bring brightness, molasses and brown sugar add depth, and rosemary and garlic do what they do best, make everything smell and taste incredible.

Throw it together in minutes, let the pork soak up the magic, and when dinnertime rolls around, all you have to do is sear, roast, or grill.

Orange-Balsamic Pork Loin Marinade 

The Recipe: Sweet & Savory Pork Loin Marinade

Ingredients:
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (blood, Cara cara, or mandarin orange)
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp molasses 
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black or white pepper (white pepper for subtle heat, black for a bolder bite)
How to Use It:
  1. Whisk everything together in a bowl. (I like to blend everything with a stick blender)
  2. Pour over a 2-3 lb pork loin in a zip-top bag or dish.
  3. Let it marinate for at least 4 hours (8 hours is even better).
  4. Roast at 375°F until it hits 130-135°F internal temp, or grill for a smoky char.
  5. Let it rest covered for 10 minutes, slice it up, and serve with whatever gets you through a Monday.

Orange-Balsamic Roasted Pork Loin

Easy. Delicious. And suddenly, Monday feels a little less gloomy. Now, if only it worked on morning alarms…
 
As always, reach out to The Small Town Chef with any questions or comments. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Location: Northampton, PA, USA

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