It’s time for a roast pork dinner. Whether you prefer loin, belly or shoulder, your choice of Australian pork cut deserves a long stint in the oven before being revealed as the dinner table’s piece’ de resistance. You’ll fight for the last piece of crackling, especially once you discover the secrets to making the perfect roast pork.
Looking for more roast recipes?
Tips for cooking the perfect roast
1. Invest in the perfect dish
Buy a heavy, flameproof baking dish, as it will give the best colour and flavour to the pan juices – important for a good gravy. Flameproof means it can go on the stovetop and under the grill as well as in the oven.
2. Seal it before you roast it
Brown small or lean roasts – such as beef eye fillet or lamb rump – all over in a little oil before roasting. As they are in the oven for a short time, it will help the colour and, therefore, the flavour, and seal in the juices.
3. Use a thermometer
To take the guesswork out of cooking times, use a meat thermometer. Remove the roast from the oven and insert a thermometer into the thickest part. The internal temperature should reach:
Beef and lamb: rare 60°C; medium 65°C to 70°C; well-done 75°C.
Pork: 74°C to 76°C.
Chicken: 75°C.
4. Small roast? Turn up the heat.
Smaller cuts of meat with less fat should be cooked at a higher temperature. Larger cuts of meat can be cooked at a lower temperature for longer.
Cuts of meat to roast
Pork: Leg roast; rolled loin; loin rack; belly; spare ribs; forequarter roast; scotch fillet/neck roast.
Looking for more information on how to cook a roast?
01
Sticky glazed slow-roasted pork
Sticky glazed slow-roasted pork
Jazz up your usual Sunday roast or Christmas dinner with this deliciously sticky Asian spiced pork. It’s slow roasted to create a wonderfully tender piece of meat your whole family will love.
02
Pork leg roast with sage potatoes
Pork leg roast with sage potatoes
The crackling on this dish is to die for. Make sure you pat the skin dry before roasting, for that extra bit of meaty crunch. Pair it with a delectable apple sauce for a fabulous Sunday family dinner.
03
Crackling pork rib eye with honey & lemon glaze
Crackling pork rib eye with honey & lemon glaze
The secret to the crispy, delicious crackling on this glazed pork rib eye is your very own bathroom hair-dryer. Rubbed liberally with salt and then dried thoroughly, this will be the only way you make crackling from now on.
04
Roast pork wreath with stone fruit
Roast pork wreath with stone fruit
Add a special touch to your Christmas table with this charming roast pork and stone fruit arrangement.
05
Pork silverside roast with maple-roasted vegies
Pork silverside roast with maple-roasted vegies
A simple roast pork silverside recipe with maple-roasted vegies for the whole family to sit around and enjoy. Enjoy this easy recipe today.
06
Sticky glazed slow-roast pork neck
Sticky glazed slow-roast pork neck
Wonderfully tender and juicy, the slow-cooked piece of meat is beautiful when glazed with a Chinese-style sauce and roasted for a weekend dinner.
07
Crispy crackling pork
The secret to exceptional crackling is to ensure the pork rind is dry. Use leftover pork for toasties, salads and sandwiches.
08
Air fryer roast pork belly
You’ve tried everything to create the perfect crackling on your roast pork belly? Now try your air fryer with our easy air fryer recipe you’ll love it
09
Roast pork shoulder with stuffed onions and pickled pear
Roast pork shoulder with stuffed onions and pickled pear
Make a statement with this beautiful roast from The Australian Women’s Weekly’s ‘The Butcher’ cookbook. With sweet stuffed onions, pickled pears and crackling to die for, it’s sure to be requested time and time again.
10
Quick roast pork with apple and sage onions
Quick roast pork with apple and sage onions
Nothing loves roasted pork more than apple and sage, except perhaps those at the dinner table. The beauty of this dish is that it can be on the table in just over 30 minutes.
11
Roast pork and apples with mustard fruits
Roast pork and apples with mustard fruits
Once again we must thank the Italians. This time, it’s for mustard fruits which provide a sweetness along with a uniquely spicy accent to any dish they are added to. Here, it’s roasted pork.
12
Pot roast pork with apple and sage
Pot roast pork with apple and sage
Sweet chunks of apple, whole spring onions and sage add complex flavour to this slow-cooked pork neck pot roast.
13
Pork silverside roast with maple-roasted vegies
Pork silverside roast with maple-roasted vegies
A simple roast pork silverside recipe with maple-roasted vegies for the whole family to sit around and enjoy. Enjoy this easy recipe today.
14
Roast pork rack with apple raspberry sauce
Roast pork rack with apple raspberry sauce
Apple is a traditional pairing for roast pork, adding raspberry just intensifies the delicious pairing of tender meat and applesauce. Serve with vinegary cabbage and potatoes.
15
Roast leg of pork with apple sauce
Roast leg of pork with apple sauce
The three magic ingredients for crispy savoury crackling are oil, salt and heat. Make sure the rind is dry and rubbed well with oil and salt. The pork must be placed in a very hot oven for the skin to start bubbling and browning up.
17
Roast pork belly with caramelised apples
Roast pork belly with caramelised apples
The sticky sweetness of these apples is a perfect accompaniment to luscious rich pork belly.
18
Roast pork loin with rosemary gravy
Roast pork loin with rosemary gravy
Tender pork loin stuffed with capsicum and ciabatta crumb and served with a rosemary gravy.
21
Roast pork loin with cranberry sauce
Roast pork loin with cranberry sauce
This cranberry and pistachio stuffed pork is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, creating the perfect balance of flavours and textures.
22
Slow roast pork with fennel
This slow roasted pork with fennel dish will fill your kitchen with the type of aroma that will have the hoards running to the dinner table. Any leftovers can be sliced and used for the kids’ lunchbox sandwiches.
23
Honey and soy roast pork
Baking the kumara and honey soy pork in the same dish helps ensure that the pork fillets stay juicy, and allows all the flavours of the dish to intermingle and intensify.
26
Roast pork with apple sauce
Tender pork, crispy crackling and balanced with a sweet apple sauce is our idea of the perfect roast pork dinner. Serve with roast potatoes and greens
27
Roast pork and noodle soup
This tasty and easy noodle soup recipe uses beef stock, roast pork and delicious asian flavours that are perfect for a light lunch or dinner idea.
28
Roast loin of pork
A perfectly roasted pork loin with crunchy crackling is a thing of beauty. We show you how to get crispy crunchy crackling and tender meat every time.
