Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

This dinner is covered in bacon—so of course it’s delicious! Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin belongs in your recipe box: It needs only a few minutes of prep time and bakes up quickly enough to feed everyone fast. And because the bacon fat bastes the tenderloin as it bakes, there’s no need to worry about overcooked or dry meat.

While we love this dish for a weeknight supper, it’s also special enough to make for a family gathering or dinner party.

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Ingredients

• Thinly sliced bacon
• Pork tenderloin
• Brown sugar
• Ground mustard
• Garlic powder
• Salt

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the bacon

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a medium baking sheet with foil. Lay out the bacon strips on the baking sheet so that the long edges are slightly overlapped.

Step 2: Add the spice rub

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Combine the brown sugar, ground mustard, garlic powder and salt in a small bowl. Rub this spice blend over the entire surface of the pork tenderloin.

Step 3: Wrap it in bacon

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Center the seasoned tenderloin on top of the bacon strips; the tenderloin should be perpendicular to the strips. Going one strip at a time, pull up the ends of the bacon over the pork, overlapping the ends, until the tenderloin is completely wrapped up in bacon.

Cut several pieces of kitchen twine; tie them around the meat at 3-inch intervals to help hold the bacon wrap in place.

Step 4: Bake

Place the pan in the oven and roast the bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin: 25 to 30 minutes for 1 pound, or 40 to 45 minutes for 1-1/2 pounds. The internal temperature should be 145° on a digital meat thermometer.

Editor’s Tip: Once the pork reaches 145° switch the oven setting to broil. Broil the tenderloin for one to three minutes to crisp up the bacon strips.

Step 5: Slice and serve

Remove and discard the kitchen twine, then let the pork rest for five minutes. Slice it into pieces with a sharp knife, and serve the tenderloin while it’s hot.

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Tips

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How do you know when pork tenderloin is done?

Use a digital thermometer to know for certain when the pork is cooked through and to avoid overcooking, which will dry out the meat. The internal temperature should be between 145° and 160°. Fully cooked pork may be a little pink in the center and is still safe to eat.

What do you serve with bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin?

Pork goes very well with side dishes like homestyle applesauce, roasted green beans or steamed new potatoes. Because this tenderloin roast features the salty, smoky flavor of bacon and a savory spice rub, try it paired with heartier, pub-style sides like thick-cut French fries, sweet potato fries or creamy mashed potatoes. Grilled ears of corn on the cob slathered in butter make a great side, too.

How do you cook bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin in an air fryer?

Prepare the pork as above with the spice rub and wrapped in bacon. Place the tenderloin in the basket of your air fryer, and cook it at 400° for 20 to 25 minutes, turning it over one time halfway through cooking. The internal temp should be 145°. The tenderloin can be cut in half to fit better into small air fryer baskets; these smaller portions will also cook through more quickly.