Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin is a must try. The bacon not only adds flavor but helps hold in the moisture so that it’s super tender. Get a hint of sweetness from a peach jam glaze.

Being from NC, pork tenderloin is a staple on our weekly rotation for weeknight meals. But when you spruce it up with bacon, it’s ready to serve to guests. It’s so easy and the bacon will keep it from getting dry if you overcook it.

There are so many great ways to fix pork tenderloin, with a creamy marsala sauce  or try cooking a tenderloin on the grill with cherries, or stuff pork with apples for some extra flavor.  However, have you ever tried wrapping it in bacon?

The bacon doesn’t make it greasy as you might expect, it just holds in the flavor.  You can remove the bacon before serving but it looks prettier if you leave it in place, and it tastes great coated with the mustard peach glaze. While it roasts, the smoky bacon flavors seeps into the tenderloin.

Before you bake it, you will brown it in a pan to seal in all the juices and flavors, then you just pop it in the oven to cook the rest of the way.

While this pork tenderloin recipe looks fancy enough to serve for guests, it’s super simple to make and it’s the most tender cut of meat as long as you don’t overcook it. You can prep everything in advance bake it before you’re ready to eat.

If I have any on hand, I’ll use my homemade peach jam with vanilla and Bourbon for this recipe, but any peach jam will work. Try to find a jam that has chunks of peaches in it.

The slightly salty bacon and savory sweet glaze are a perfect topping for a pork tenderloin.  While baking, the jam caramelizes with the bacon.  It tastes great with some creamy mashed potatoes or potatoes au gratin. YUM ❤️

Why you’ll love it

• Everything tastes better wrapped in bacon!
• Tender and juicy pork every time
• Super simple to make
• Impressive presentation

What you’ll need for the juiciest pork tenderloin

Pork tenderloin – Most pork tenderloin comes in a package that contains two small tenderloins. This recipe is for one, but you can easily double it and cook both tenderloins.

Bacon – you can use thick or thin, I love the applewood smoked or pepper bacon that you can find in the meat section of the grocery.

Peach jam – you can also use apricot.

Mustard – this is mixed with the jam and spread on top of the bacon. Whole grain is my choice for this dish.

Rub – brown sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt & pepper. This is rubbed over the pork before wrapping in bacon. If using pepper bacon, you can leave out the cayenne.

Step by step directions for making pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon

Step 1: – add the rub

Use your fingers to coat the pork with the brown sugar rub.

Step 2: – wrap in bacon

Wrap the pork in bacon strips so that it is completely covered. Use toothpicks to secure the bacon.

Step 3: – brown the pork

Brown the bacon wrapped pork in a large skillet until the bacon is brown on both sides.

Place it in the oven to bake. Let it rest for 10 minutes under a tent of aluminum foil to finish cooking.

To serve it use a sharp knife, I find a serrated knife works best to cut through the caramelized bacon.

What temperature should you cook pork tenderloin

The best way to keep from overcooking pork is to use a meat thermometer. It should read 145º in the center. It will continue to cook when it rests after removing it from the oven. This should increase the internal temperature by 10º and be a perfect 155º.  It’s recommended that pork be cooked between 145º and 160º.

If you can find a tenderloin that’s the same size and not thicker in the center, it will be easier to have all the slices the same level of doneness. However, if you have folks that want their meat well done, a tenderloin that is smaller on the ends will make everyone happy.

FAQs and Tips

How long do you cook bacon wrapped pork tenderloin in the oven?

Since the pork is first browned in a skillet you only need to cook this for about 10-15 minutes depending on how thick the tenderloin is. Use a meat thermometer to tell when it is done.

Do you have to use toothpicks to secure the bacon?

If the bacon is very thin, it may stay in place without the need for toothpicks. The toothpicks keep the bacon from slipping off when you brown it in the skillet and should be removed before serving.

Can you freeze pork tenderloin?

You can freeze the leftovers in an airtight container. Let it thaw, then cover with foil and bake for about 5 minutes at 350º.

What else could you serve with bacon wrapped pork tenderloin

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