Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin is a must make dinner recipe. This delectable dish comes together with just a handful of ingredients and is mouthwateringly delicious.
I’m in love with dinner recipes that make you look like a rock star, and here is another. This simple pork recipe combines pork tenderloin, my pork rub, and bacon for a dish that you won’t be able to get enough of.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Here is a brief overview of how this bacon wrapped pork tenderloin comes together. For the full recipe including all ingredients and their measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Season and Wrap the Pork
Make the pork rub combining the seasonings for the pork rub in a small bowl. Rub the prepared seasoning mixture all over the pork. Tuck the thin end of the pork tenderloin under it so that the whole pork tenderloin is the same thickness. Lay out the bacon (it should overlap a little). Lay the pork in the middle of the bacon strips then wrap the bacon around the pork.
Bake the Tenderloin
Place the pork on the prepared baking sheet on top of the wire rack. This allows air to circulate around the meat while it cooks and catch any drippings that fall. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pork registers 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
How Long to Cook Pork Tenderloin
The key is not to pay attention to the time, but rather the internal temperature of the tenderloin at its thickest part. So while it will probably take 20-25 minutes to bake your tenderloin, I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer to know exactly when your pork is done. This will ensure that it is fully cooked for food safety purposes, but not overcooked and dry.
Temperature, Not Color
When cooking pork, it is really important to remember that we are shooting for it to come to 145 degrees Fahrenheit with an instant read thermometer. While the old recommendation might have been a higher temperature and pork was even advertised as “white meat,” new farming practices allow us to eat pork at 145 degrees. That means that your pork can be moist and delicious, and also pink, and still be safe to eat as long as you cook it to the right temperature.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the portion you plan to eat in the oven. Always use your best discretion when reheating and eating leftovers.
What to Serve with Pork Tenderloin
When looking for a side dish, I love to serve this with my roasted baby potatoes which is what you see in the photos. Here are a few other ideas of what to serve with this pork tenderloin recipe.
If you make this bacon wrapped pork tenderloin recipe or any of my other recipes, let me know how you enjoyed it!
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 18 ounces bacon
- 2 pounds pork tenderloin
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Then place a wire cooling rack in the baking sheet. Set aside.
- In a small bowl mix together the seasonings. Set aside.1 1/2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- On a clean surface lay out the bacon so that it is overlapping just slightly. (See photo in post.)18 ounces bacon
- Rub the prepared seasoning mix all over the pork. Tuck the thin end of the pork tenderloin under it so that the whole pork tenderloin is the same thickness. Lay the pork in the middle of the bacon. Then wrap the bacon around the pork. (See photo in post.) Please note that the bacon underneath the pork will not be as crisp as the bacon on top. You can solve this by cutting the bacon strips so they don't wrap fully underneath the pork, though I find this tedious and therefore recommend fully wrapping it.2 pounds pork tenderloin
- Place the pork on the prepared baking sheet on top of the wire rack with the bacon seam side down. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pork registers 145 degrees Fahrenheit with an instant read thermometer.
- Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. It is okay if there is a little pink to the pork as long as it was 145 degrees Fahrenheit at its thickest point when you removed it from the oven.
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