Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
- 2 tablespoons mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon juniper berries
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 2 cups water
- 1 bunch fresh thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 (4 to 5 pound) bone in pork loin roast
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a small dry skillet over medium heat toast the coriander, mustard seeds, juniper berries, and peppercorns until fragrant, about 1 minute. Put them on a plate to cool. In a bowl mix the sugar and salt with 2 cups of water until dissolved. Put the pork roast into a deep bowl or a large plastic bag. Pour in the sugar and salt water. Add the toasted spices, thyme, and bay leaves. Add more water until the meat is covered. Let it sit in the brine in the refrigerator for 2 to 6 hours.
Remove the pork roast from the brine about 1/2 hour before you will be ready to cook it to allow it to come up to room temperature. When ready to cook, heat a grill to high heat. Dry the pork, rub it with olive oil, and season it with pepper. Sear the pork on all sides to get grill marks. Move the roast to an upper rack (or over indirect heat) and put a drip pan underneath it. Cook the pork until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F, about 30 to 45 minutes. Remove to a platter, cover loosely with foil, and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
Before carving, add any accumulated juices to the drippings in the pan. Spoon these over the sliced pork.
















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By alaskabear_11655601
juneau, AK
on August 17, 2011
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I used a pork loin (no bone and it was way too salty. Perhaps a larger piece would have worked better, but I won't do again.
By llafree_6205288
Bristol, IN
on June 26, 2011
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I made this exactly per instructions, except I substituted gin for the juniper berries. It was incredibly delicious. My only complaint is that it took much longer than 30 to 45 minutes to cook, closer to 90 minutes. Worth the wait though! Definitely use the drippings, they were to die for.
By kinky_reggae63_...
Pilot Mountain, 73
on June 22, 2010
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This was my first attempt at the brine technique. I was a bit concerned about the "too salty" comments so I chickend out and only used about 1/2 the recommended amount. Yes, I could still taste the salt but did not feel it was overpowering.
I used brown sugar and, since I couldn't find juniper berries in my small town grocery store, substituted about 1/2 a cup of gin. Now I can call this "Grilled Gin Brined Pork Loin" and impress my friends.
Flavor was very good and the loin remained very moist despite the rather long grilling time of about an hour. I will be brining again soon!
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