The irresistible combination of crispy bacon wrapped around a tender, juicy pork fillet—glazed with a touch of honey—makes this dish a true weeknight wonder. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, this recipe delivers gourmet-level flavor that’s sure to impress.
Perfect for busy evenings or special dinners alike, the bacon not only infuses flavor but keeps the lean pork moist and succulent during roasting. A final drizzle of pan juices elevates this dish to next-level deliciousness. Pair it with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing meal with minimal cleanup.
Full Recipe:
1 lb (500g) pork tenderloin, at room temperature
8 to 10 slices of streaky bacon
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp honey
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan).
Lay bacon strips vertically on a board with slight overlaps.
Season the pork with salt and pepper. Tuck the thin end underneath to create even thickness.
In an oven-proof skillet, heat oil over high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until browned (about 5 minutes). Remove from skillet and let cool slightly.
Place pork on top of the arranged bacon strips. Use a knife to lift and roll the pork so the bacon wraps it completely.
Return pork to skillet seam-side down. Drizzle honey over the top and brush to coat.
Bake for 25 minutes, basting with pan juices at the 20-minute mark.
Rest for 5 minutes, baste one final time, then slice and serve with remaining juices.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 511 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
An Irresistible Classic: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is one of those rare dishes that manages to be both weeknight-easy and dinner party-fancy. This recipe hits all the right notes: it’s simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and makes an elegant impression with minimal effort. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or entertaining guests, this dish stands tall as a centerpiece that delivers every single time.
At its core, the recipe is a perfect union of two delicious components—lean, tender pork wrapped in salty, crispy bacon. It’s finished with a touch of honey for sweetness, creating a harmony of textures and flavors that will make this a go-to in your kitchen repertoire.
Why This Dish Works
There are a few reasons this dish is both foolproof and phenomenal. First, pork tenderloin is a very lean cut of meat. It’s often compared to chicken breast in terms of fat content, but its texture is far more tender when cooked right. However, the challenge with pork tenderloin is that it dries out easily due to its low fat content.
Enter bacon.
Wrapping pork tenderloin in strips of bacon serves multiple purposes. It not only adds flavor but also acts as a self-basting shield. As the pork roasts in the oven, the bacon fat slowly renders, infusing the meat with moisture and savoriness. The result is pork that’s tender, juicy, and far from the dried-out versions many have sadly encountered.
The final glaze of honey elevates the dish even further. The sugars in the honey caramelize during roasting, blending with the salty, smoky bacon for an irresistible coating that’s both savory and slightly sweet. This glaze also helps the bacon develop a rich, golden brown crust, adding another layer of appeal in both taste and presentation.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor
One of the most attractive features of this recipe is its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something impressive. In fact, this dish shines with just a handful of staples—pork, bacon, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. That’s it.
But don’t let the short ingredient list fool you. Each component is chosen for maximum impact. The pork acts as a neutral canvas, the bacon adds flavor and fat, and the honey introduces that beautiful sticky glaze. It’s the kind of recipe where the technique does all the heavy lifting, proving that great food doesn’t need to be complicated.
Perfect for Entertaining or Meal Prep
This recipe is a star on any dinner table, but it’s also extremely practical. Because the pork is wrapped in bacon and roasted whole, it presents beautifully when sliced and served. You can make it in advance by assembling the bacon-wrapped tenderloin earlier in the day and refrigerating it until you’re ready to roast.
It’s also a great meal-prep option. Slice the finished tenderloin into medallions and serve over salads, grain bowls, or sandwiches. The flavor holds up well, and the leftovers reheat beautifully—something that’s not always true for lean pork.
For dinner parties, this dish offers a wonderful hands-off cooking experience. Once it’s in the oven, you’re free to focus on side dishes, guests, or a well-earned glass of wine. And the pan juices leftover in the skillet? They make an excellent natural sauce for drizzling right before serving.
Cooking Temperatures and Doneness Tips
If you’ve ever been nervous about cooking pork tenderloin because of its reputation for dryness, this recipe is a confidence-booster. Searing the pork before wrapping it in bacon and baking helps create a crust that locks in moisture. Then, roasting at a relatively high temperature ensures it cooks quickly and evenly.
The ideal internal temperature for juicy pork tenderloin is 65°C (149°F), which gives you meat that is fully cooked but still retains a faint blush of pink in the center. If you prefer your pork more well-done, go for 68°C (155°F). A meat thermometer is your best friend here—there’s no guesswork involved.
After cooking, a short resting period of five minutes allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat more tender and easier to slice. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This dish is rich and savory, so it pairs well with sides that balance or contrast those flavors. A creamy mashed potato is a classic choice, absorbing all the pan drippings like a flavor sponge. Roasted vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts or carrots, also make an excellent accompaniment and add color to your plate.
For a lighter meal, serve it alongside a simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the bacon and honey glaze. Cauliflower mash is a great low-carb alternative if you’re trying to keep things light without sacrificing flavor.
As for drinks, the slightly sweet glaze pairs beautifully with dry white wines like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. If you prefer red, a light Pinot Noir with earthy undertones will complement the pork and bacon without overpowering it.
Variations and Customizations
While the recipe is wonderful in its original form, it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are a few ways you can customize it:
Add herbs: Tuck some rosemary, thyme, or sage under the bacon for an aromatic boost.
Use a spice rub: Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, or cumin on the pork before searing for an extra flavor dimension.
Switch the sweetener: Maple syrup or brown sugar can be used instead of honey for a different kind of sweetness.
Change the bacon: Use turkey bacon for a lighter option, or prosciutto for an upscale twist.
You can even make it spicy by adding a dash of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the glaze, giving it that sweet-heat combo that some palates crave.
Nutritional Considerations
Pork tenderloin is a lean source of protein, making it a great choice for those watching their fat intake—especially when compared to fattier pork cuts. While bacon does add some fat and sodium, using a moderate amount and pairing it with nutrient-rich sides can still make for a balanced meal.
The dish is also naturally gluten-free and low in carbs, making it friendly for people following gluten-free, keto, or paleo eating plans. Just be mindful of your bacon and honey quantities if you’re counting calories or sugars.
A Dish That Delivers Every Time
What makes bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin such a hit is how reliably delicious it is. It’s almost impossible to mess up if you follow a few basic techniques. The bacon shields the pork from drying out, the honey glaze brings sweetness and shine, and the finished product looks as good as it tastes.
Even better, it scales well—double it for a larger gathering or halve it for a romantic dinner for two. Its versatility makes it just as suitable for weeknight cooking as it is for holidays or special occasions.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Pork Recipe
In the realm of easy yet impressive recipes, bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin stands as a true champion. It checks every box—affordable, elegant, flavorful, and simple. With only a few ingredients, it manages to deliver gourmet-level results without hours in the kitchen.
Whether you’re trying it for the first time or adding it to your regular rotation, this dish offers both satisfaction and flexibility. It’s perfect for picky eaters and adventurous foodies alike, and once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. This isn’t just another pork recipe—it’s the pork recipe.
Let the aroma of roasting bacon and tender pork fill your kitchen—you’re about to fall in love with this dish.