Savory Cast Iron Skillet Pork Loin with Mushroom Gravy
This Savory Cast Iron Skillet Pork Loin is a delightful and easy-to-prepare dish that delivers a mouth-watering flavor profile, thanks to a rich mushroom gravy infused with the savory goodness of onion soup mix. Perfect for family dinners or a special occasion, this recipe highlights the versatility of your cast iron skillet by allowing the pork loin to sear beautifully while capturing a medley of flavors from sautéed mushrooms and onions. The best part? The pork braises in its own juices, creating a tender, juicy masterpiece, complete with its own homemade gravy. Ideal for serving with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up every last drop. You'll achieve a perfect internal temperature while ensuring a robust flavor that everyone will love.
N/A
Servings
250
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork Loin
2 lbs (Trim any excess fat)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon
Flour
1 cup (For dredging)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons
Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 1/4 ounces
Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can
Hot Water
2 cups
Sliced Mushrooms
2 cups
Onion
1 medium (Chopped)
Garlic Clove
1 (Chopped)
Butter
2 tablespoons
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2
Season the pork loin generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
3
Dredge the seasoned pork loin in the flour, ensuring it is thoroughly coated. You may need extra flour if necessary.
4
Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the pork loin and brown it on all sides, which should take about 4-5 minutes. Remove the browned pork from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
5
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add chopped onion, garlic, and sliced mushrooms. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
6
Return the pork loin to the skillet atop the sautéed mixture.
7
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, Lipton onion soup mix, and hot water until smooth. Carefully pour this mixture over the pork loin, making sure to leave some onion soup mix on top for added flavor.
8
Insert a meat probe into the thickest part of the pork loin, ensuring it does not touch the skillet. Cover the skillet with its lid.
9
Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake until the internal temperature of the pork loin reaches 170°F, which will take approximately 1 hour.
10
Once cooked, remove the skillet from the oven and let the pork loin rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, spooning additional gravy over the meat.
Nutrition Information
10
Fat
25
Carbs
17
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The main protein used in this recipe is a 2 lb pork loin with excess fat trimmed.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F.
How should the pork loin be seasoned?
The pork loin should be seasoned generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
What is the purpose of dredging the pork loin in flour?
Dredging the pork in flour helps ensure it is thoroughly coated for browning and helps thicken the gravy later.
How long does it take to brown the pork loin in the skillet?
It takes approximately 4-5 minutes to brown the pork loin on all sides.
What type of oil is used for browning the meat?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used to heat the cast iron skillet for browning.
What vegetables are sautéed after browning the pork?
Chopped onion, garlic, and sliced mushrooms are sautéed in the skillet.
How much butter is used to sauté the vegetables?
Two tablespoons of butter are added to the skillet to sauté the onions and mushrooms.
What kind of mushrooms are recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of sliced mushrooms.
What soup is used to make the mushroom gravy?
One 10.5-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup is used as the base for the gravy.
Which seasoning mix provides the savory onion flavor?
A 1.25-ounce package of Lipton onion soup mix is used for the savory flavor profile.
How much water is added to the gravy mixture?
Two cups of hot water are whisked into the soup and onion mix.
How do you prepare the gravy liquid?
Whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and hot water in a separate bowl until smooth.
Should the soup mixture cover the pork?
Yes, the mixture should be poured over the pork loin, ensuring some onion soup mix stays on top for extra flavor.
What is the best way to monitor the pork's temperature?
Insert a meat probe into the thickest part of the pork loin, ensuring it does not touch the skillet.
What is the target internal temperature for the pork loin?
The pork loin should reach an internal temperature of 170°F.
How long does the pork need to bake in the oven?
The pork loin typically takes approximately 1 hour to bake.
Do I need to cover the skillet while it bakes?
Yes, the skillet should be covered with its lid before placing it in the oven.
Should the pork rest after cooking?
Yes, let the pork loin rest for about 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 250 calories.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The recipe contains approximately 10 grams of fat per serving.
How many grams of protein are in this pork dish?
There are approximately 17 grams of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much flour is needed for dredging?
The recipe requires 1 cup of flour, though you may need extra if necessary.
Is garlic used in this recipe?
Yes, one chopped garlic clove is used to flavor the sautéed vegetables.
What are some recommended sides for this pork loin?
This dish is ideal for serving with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the mushroom gravy.
Can I use a different skillet?
The recipe is designed for a cast iron skillet to achieve a perfect sear and handle oven temperatures, but any oven-safe heavy skillet with a lid can work.
How much onion is required?
One medium onion, chopped, is needed for the sautéed mixture.
Is this recipe considered easy to prepare?
Yes, it is described as a delightful and easy-to-prepare dish perfect for family dinners.
What gives the gravy its texture?
The combination of flour from dredging, butter, cream of mushroom soup, and sautéed mushrooms creates a rich, thick gravy.