• Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.

Chefs cut pork loin

SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Tbonesteaka

Newbie
May 2, 2024
4
6
Hello. New to the forum, first time here. I am a novice smoker/rotisserie/bbq cook. I’ve done bbqed some amazing meals…and some not so amazing. Anyway…

I recently started buying these “Chef cut” pork loins. They are delicious and also very affordable. I have successfully cooked one in the oven and also dried one out a little bit trying to slow cook it (I thought it would eventually pull apart, it was tender but a little dry and flaky).

I am thinking about trying the next one either on the rotisserie or smoked. I’d love to hear anything anyone has to say about this cut. Recommendations for cooking method, whether bbq or oven roasted.
 

schlotz

Master of the Pit
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Jan 13, 2015
2,628
2,193
Here's one for you. It never fails.

 

mr_whipple

Master of the Pit
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Jul 3, 2021
1,336
1,778
Welcome! Pork loins are very lean, and they lack the connective tissue that a nice butt / shoulder have. Very easy to dry one out. For the most part I use them for back bacon and jerky. Brining them is always helpful.
 

gmc2003

Epic Pitmaster
OTBS Member
SMF Premier Member
Sep 15, 2012
18,081
15,035
I am thinking about trying the next one either on the rotisserie or smoked. I’d love to hear anything anyone has to say about this cut. Recommendations for cooking method, whether bbq or oven roasted.
Temperature is the key to cooking any type of pork loin. I smoke at 250*ish and take the loin off at the smoker at 138*. Cover it, place it on the counter and let the carryover take it to 145*.

Brining, injecting and rubs are all a personal choice, but none of them will make an overcooked loin taste good.

Chris
 

SmokinEdge

Legendary Pitmaster
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Jan 18, 2020
8,605
10,476
Like the others have said, with loin internal temperature is absolutely key. cook one to IT of around 145* and see what you think. 150-ish Will work as well but beyond that it will be dry.
 

02ebz06

Master of the Pit
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Feb 1, 2012
2,253
2,182
Greetings and welcome to the forum.
 

chopsaw

Epic Pitmaster
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Dec 14, 2013
18,143
18,253
“Chef cut” pork loins.
Comes from the rib end of the loin . That's the section I always say has the light and dark meat in it . I also see it labeled as " sirloin " . These days you can't trust the in store label though . Need to know what you're looking at .
Does what you're buying still have the rib bones attached ?

When I buy whole boneless loins I always cut that section out to cook whole . Internal temp is the same , but the darker meat and extra fat makes it perfect for roasting . Gives you a little room on the temp also .
 

jcam222

Epic Pitmaster
OTBS Member
SMF Premier Member
Jun 13, 2017
11,451
13,399
Great cut to cook at 250 or higher and pull NLT meat temp 140F to cruise to 145F max. I pull like Chris around 138F. 145F is the safe serving temp for solid muscle pork per USDA. Follow that and it's great juicy slices. I personally would never try to shred loin, just not the right cut.
 

Tbonesteaka

Newbie
Thread starter
May 2, 2024
4
6
Comes from the rib end of the loin . That's the section I always say has the light and dark meat in it . I also see it labeled as " sirloin " . These days you can't trust the in store label though . Need to know what you're looking at .
Does what you're buying still have the rib bones attached ?

When I buy whole boneless loins I always cut that section out to cook whole . Internal temp is the same , but the darker meat and extra fat makes it perfect for roasting . Gives you a little room on the temp also .

No this is a boneless cut. But yes it is the cut thar appears to be part dark and part white meat. And that dark meat is damn good.
 

chopsaw

Epic Pitmaster
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Dec 14, 2013
18,143
18,253
No this is a boneless cut.
I think if it has the bones still attached it's considered " Prime Chef's cut " But I'm not sure about that .
yes it is the cut thar appears to be part dark and part white meat. And that dark meat is damn good.
Yup . The light and dark section cut from the whole loin is considered Chef's cut . You're right , the dark part makes it .
I have several in the freezer . Might be time to thaw one out .
Did this section on the pellet grill . Had some good smoke on it .
Center to the small end of the whole thing . The more you get towards the small end , the darker it gets .
20221230_143124.jpg
20221230_153359.jpg
Tie and spin the bigger end over charcoal and apple wood .
20220525_132140.jpg
You can see it's all the lighter meat . Still nice and juicy if cooked right .
I'm guessing this was injected .
20220525_133322.jpg
This is cured and smoked , you can see the sliced section has a large
ring of the darker meat around the outside . The slices came from the last third
of the loin at the smaller end . So if you buy whole pork loins , that's where
you look for " Chef's cut "
20181022_091309.jpg
 

jcam222

Epic Pitmaster
OTBS Member
SMF Premier Member
Jun 13, 2017
11,451
13,399
Just like with a butt I love to hunt for the rich dark meat for my snacks while pulling.
 

chopsaw

Epic Pitmaster
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Dec 14, 2013
18,143
18,253
OK , at the risk of beating this to death , here's one more . This is the smoked section above , before prepping . You can see the line of the change in meat texture . The right side is the tail end of the whole loin .
20221228_095426.jpg

I personally would never try to shred loin, just not the right cut.
A few years back we had a family get together . My sister told my kids she was doing pulled pork . I didn't say anything . I knew she used loin in the crock pot no less .
That look on their faces when they took the first bite was priceless .
My Daughter whispered to me " What is this ? " Lol .
 
Last edited:

Gonna Smoke

Smoking Guru
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Sep 19, 2018
5,249
7,668
A few years back we had a family get together . My sister told my kids she was doing pulled pork . I didn't say anything . I knew she used loin in the crock pot no less .
That look on their faces when they took the first bite was priceless .
My Daughter whispered to me " What is this ? " Lol .
I have a friend who does the same thing. I've tried to help him, but he says butts have too much fat...
 

chopsaw

Epic Pitmaster
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Dec 14, 2013
18,143
18,253
I have a friend who does the same thing.
She asked me one time if I liked the pork . I said no . Lol . The whole table got quiet .
Hey , if you don't want the answer , don't ask the question .

I have done them in the instant pot for shredded taco meat . That gets finished in a skillet with seasoning and some liquid added back . It works pretty good for that .
 
Last edited:

Tbonesteaka

Newbie
Thread starter
May 2, 2024
4
6
Haha…loving this forum already. Thanks for the great responses. I’ve decided to put my next loin on the spinner. I’ve got some peach wood from a tree I just cut down in the yard (if this is a bad idea, someone stop me immediately) that will give it a little smoke while on the rotisserie. Sounds like 250 is the temperature that most of you like. I’ll pull at 138 and if I remember, snap some photos. Thanks again guys!
 

scotttex610

Newbie
May 4, 2024
1
0
Hello. New to the forum, first time here. I am a novice smoker/rotisserie/bbq cook. I’ve done bbqed some amazing meals…and some not so amazing. Anyway…

I recently started buying these “Chef cut” pork loins. They are delicious and also very affordable. I have successfully cooked one in the oven and also dried one out a little bit trying to slow cook it (I thought it would eventually pull apart, it was tender but a little dry and flaky).

I am thinking about trying the next one either on the rotisserie or smoked. I’d love to hear anything anyone has to say about this cut. Recommendations for cooking method, whether bbq or oven roasted.
Be sure and do it to internal temp of 140-145. It will be juicy and so tender. Don’t go by time, internal temp all day everyday!
 

Tbonesteaka

Newbie
Thread starter
May 2, 2024
4
6
Wow. This was phenomenal. Cooked it a little slower than I would have liked. The grill was no higher than 250 at any point and it took quite a while, but it was worth the wait. Pulled it a little early but I don’t mind my pork a little pink. Was just under 140 when I sliced it. It was basically like eating a pork prime rib. The dark meat was melt in your mouth tender. I will be doing these regularly on the rotisserie. For the price you can’t beat it.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1095.jpeg
    IMG_1095.jpeg
    186.7 KB · Views: 7
  • IMG_1096.jpeg
    IMG_1096.jpeg
    206 KB · Views: 6
  • IMG_1098.jpeg
    IMG_1098.jpeg
    144.4 KB · Views: 6
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Top Bottom
Clicky