How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Updated: Dec. 04, 2023

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin sliced on a cutting board

TMB Studio

This is such an easy dinner and is destined to become a family favorite. Make our bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with just six ingredients.

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. We have ideas below for tasty sides to serve with the bacony tenderloin to make it a meal to remember.

Also, check out these yummy bacon wrapped shrimp recipe that will impress your guests.

How to Cook Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

This recipe makes four servings (or six for a larger tenderloin), and takes about 40 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

Overhead Shot Of All Ingredients for bacon wrapped pork tenderloin On marble Surface TMB Studio

10 strips thinly-sliced bacon
1 pork tenderloin (1 to 1-1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Kitchen twine

Editor’s Tip: Be sure to choose the right cut: here’s the difference between loin and tenderloin.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the bacon

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a medium baking sheet (15x10x1 inches) 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

hands adding spice rub to pork tenderloin for Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin TMB Studio

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

hands wrapping bacon strips around meat for Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin TMB Studio

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.

Editor’s Tip: Our Test Kitchen found these bacon brands to be the very best.

Step 4: Bake

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

Optional: Once the pork reaches 145° switch the oven setting to broil. Broil the tenderloin for 1-3 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 FAQs

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 have a little pink showing in the center and is still safe to eat.

What to 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 20-25 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. Next, try this delicious bacon-wrapped pork chops recipe.

More Bacon-Wrapped Recipes to Try

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Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Tender chicken gets a special treatment when spread with a creamy filling and wrapped with tasty bacon strips. This easy bacon-wrapped stuffed chicken recipe is frequently requested by my bunch. —MarlaKaye Skinner, Tucson, Arizona Go to Recipe

Bacon Wrapped Avocado Wedges Exps Ft20 251666 F 0311 1 3

Bacon-Wrapped Avocado WedgesWe all know that almost everything is improved with bacon—and avocado is no exception. Since it's made in an air fryer, this bacon-wrapped appetizer is one to remember. It will definitely impress your friends! —James Schend, Dairy Freed