Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 one pound pork tenderloin
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, divided into 2
- 8-10 slices bacon
- 3 tablespoons honey
Supplies
- paper towels
- toothpicks (optional)
- roasting pan
- aluminum foil
- instant-read thermometer
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pat pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. Sprinkle tenderloin with garlic salt, black pepper, and half the brown sugar.
Wrap bacon slices around tenderloin; secure with wooden toothpicks, if needed. Place tenderloin in roasting pan lined with foil.
Drizzle honey on sides and top of tenderloin. Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar throughout the top of the meat.
Roast the tenderloin, uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted near the center reads 145 degrees.
Transfer tenderloin to a cutting board. Cover with aluminum foil; let rest for 10 minutes. Remove toothpicks, if used. Slice and serve. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Turn broiler on at the end of roasting time for extra crispy bacon. However, take care not to burn the bacon using this method. Only do this for a few minutes.
Pork tenderloin is juicy, flavorful, and most importantly, versatile. It’s a protein that is perfect for customization and creativity. It’s also a perfect candidate to wrap in bacon! Bacon and pork tenderloin create a perfect harmony, as bacon is rich and fatty while the tenderloin is lean. This recipe is great on its own, but it’s also easy to customize and make it your own. Glazes, marinades, and bacon varieties can all be modified to create a custom flavor.
Unique Glazes For Your Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Glazes pack a punch of concentrated flavor that can send your bacon-wrapped tenderloin’s flavor through the roof. In addition to the extra flavor profiles you can introduce, adding a glaze has several other benefits. The sugars in your glaze can help tenderize the meat. As the sugars burn and caramelize, you also create a barrier that seals in moisture while creating a crispy, flavorful crust which contrasts the delicious tender pork inside. Here are a few glaze ideas to incorporate into your next bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin:
- maple
- brown sugar
- apricot marmalade
- honey
- cherry preserves
- BBQ
- balsamic
- apple jelly or butter
- fig
- honey mustard
- garlic Dijon
- blueberry jam
- orange marmalade
- bacon jam
- molasses
- peach chutney
Types Of Bacon
The type of bacon you use can also contribute to the flavor and balance of your tenderloin. Some bacon varieties have added sugars which will aid in the glazing process noted above, and other thicker cuts will add more of that delicious bacon flavor. Here are a few different types of bacon to use when wrapping your tenderloin:
- maple
- black forest
- hickory
- applewood
- peppered
- mesquite
- prosciutto
- pancetta
Opting for a bacon with smoky flavors such as hickory, mesquite, or applewood will add bold flavors to the dish while prosciutto and pancetta will create more saltiness. Try to use those flavors to your advantage when planning out your recipe. For an even more exciting flavor and vivid presentation, try creating a patchwork of different meats such as pancetta and hickory smoked bacon. If your tenderloin wasn’t Instagram ready before, it would be now.
Use A Marinade On Your Pork Tenderloin
Not only will you add some complexity to your dish by using a marinade, but you’ll also add extra tenderness to your tenderloin. There are several ingredients in marinades, and you shouldn’t hesitate to try adding some of your favorite spices to the mix. It will all mellow out and create a wonderfully complex flavor in the final dish. You’ll want to have your tenderloin sitting in the marinade overnight for the best effect. Here are a few marinade ideas for your next pork tenderloin:
- honey garlic
- honey garlic Dijon
- herb (olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme)
- bourbon
- soy sauce
- molasses Dijon
- balsamic glaze
- ginger
- orange juice
- worcestershire
Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is perfect for special occasions, but it’s so good you might want to consider adding it to your regular rotation. Serve your tenderloin with some roasted potatoes and creamy garlic sauce or a simple medley of your favorite roasted vegetables. Thanks to the wide range of bacon, marinade, and glaze options, everyone can create the perfect bacon-wrapped tenderloin for their family.
