BBQ smoked bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is smothered in BBQ sauce and a layer of smoky bacon. The pork is cooked on a wood pellet grill or smoker that turns out juicy and tender. Can also be cooked on a wood chip smoker.
Smoked BBQ pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon and glazed with BBQ sauce instantly makes your mouth water. This carnivore’s dream is a delicious date night meal and sure to impress at dinner parties.
Has your hubby been hinting at wanting a smoker for Christmas? Trust me, it is as much a gift to yourself as it is for him. Those are the best kind of presents, aren’t they?
To be honest, I use a Pit Boss pellet smoker, which works very similar to an electric smoker that uses wood chips. The best flavor of pellets is cherry wood or apple wood.
Pork tenderloin smoked has an incredible depth of smoky flavor. The bacon wrap keeps the soft meat extra juicy while also adding a satisfying salty crunch to each bite. You’ll wonder why you ever had it any other way.
Why You Should Be Smoking a Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is actually one of the cheaper cuts so this is a smart dish for a small budget. It’s a lean cut of meat without excess fat, but is a very tender meat.
You’ll find I have several pork tenderloin recipes on my site because it is one of my favorite things to cook. It’s very tender, cheap to buy, and I can add a honey mustard glaze, BBQ, teriyaki, and bacon, or serve it in a savory brown gravy, as my pork medallions recipe calls for.
I prefer it to a pork loin too. Not only does it cut down the cooking time, but pork loin is cut into pork chops when all is said and done. It’s a bit tougher than a tenderloin (hence the name.)
Ingredients for Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Tenderloin
- Slices of Bacon
- Favorite BBQ Sauce
- Toothpicks
How Long to Smoke Pork Tenderloin
Never tried a smoked pork tenderloin recipe before? Here are a few of my first-time cooking tips below.
Pork Tenderloin Internal Temperature
Pork should have an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be safe to eat.
When I set my smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes 60-90 minutes depending on the exact thickness of the tenderloin. It may take longer for larger smokers, especially with indirect heat. Brining the tenderloin first may help shorten the cooking time, but is not required.
Does Tenderloin Need Brining Before Smoking?
Brining is done to help prevent the meat from drying out when cooked on the grill, in the oven, or smoker. Although you can definitely add this extra step, it is not necessary for this specific recipe.
One of the reasons why I went for bacon-wrapped smoked pork tenderloin is its juiciness. Bacon is a brilliant way to keep any cut of meat soft and juicy.
Does Pork Tenderloin Need a Dry Rub?
Like with brining, using your favorite rub is a good option for smoking pork but not mandatory. There are other ways to add flavor to the tenderloin without having to let the dry rub seep in first.
To keep things simple, I am glazing the bacon-wrapped tenderloin with a homemade BBQ sauce. The BBQ sauce also helps to lock in the moisture while preventing too dark a char.
How to Smoke Pork Tenderloin
- Set the electric pellet grill or smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove any silver skin from the pork tenderloin with a sharp knife.
- Wrap pork tenderloin with bacon and use toothpicks to secure it. Brush BBQ sauce on all sides of the tenderloin.
- Oil grates with oil to prevent sticking. Close the fire/heat element so that direct heat is not applied to prevent burning the outside of the pork. Cook for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, flip the pork so that both sides get the grate sear. Brush more BBQ sauce on at this point to caramelize it as it cooks.
- Continue cooking for another 15-30 minutes with direct heat open until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part using your digital meat thermometer.
- Place the pork on a cutting board and slice it into 2-inch slices on the long edge and serve with additional BBQ sauce.
What to Serve with Smoked Pork Tenderloin Wrapped in Bacon
Let’s look into the many different side dishes you can serve this smoked meat on a beautiful plate.
Classic Steakhouse Style: Serve with easy air fryer fries and a crunchy leafy salad like a cobb salad or romaine lettuce with a light vinaigrette. Give it the steak restaurant look by plating it on a butcher’s block.
Barbecue Feast: Even with the temperatures dropping outside you can have a backyard BBQ-style meal by serving the smoked tenderloin with corn on the cob and a pasta salad. Serve with several dipping sauce options, as is mandatory for any barbecue.
Fancy French Date Night: The secret to French cuisine is indulgence so go all out by serving the bacon-wrapped tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and some lemony green beans. Make the meal a little lighter with a homemade ratatouille instead.
Hostess with the Mostess: Give your guests the choice of a colorful array of baked potatoes. Then show them that Brussels sprouts are far from boring if only prepared right – my favorite Brussels sprouts recipe is spicy and smokey.
How to Reheat Pork Tenderloin
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Take the leftover pork tenderloin out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.
- Place the pork tenderloin in an oven-safe dish or on a baking sheet. If it’s large or already sliced, you may cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive drying.
- Reheat the pork in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Once it reaches the desired temperature, take it out of the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
I am in love with my smoker and hope that after trying this pork tenderloin and bacon recipe you will love yours, too. Meat smokers are a great way to make your meals feel more special.
The deep flavors that penetrate the meat through and through cannot be matched by any other cooking method.
I hope you give it a try and show me your beautiful results. Share your recipe successes via Instagram or Facebook and let me know if you need any more tips on smoking pork. I am happy to share!
Recommended Recipes
Tender BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 1 pound Pork Tenderloin
- 6-8 Bacon Slices
- BBQ Sauce
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Set pellet grill or smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit with the fire/heat element closed so that direct heat is not applied. This will make it into more of an oven with circulating hot air.
- Remove any silver skin from the pork tenderloin with a sharp knife.
- Wrap pork tenderloin with bacon and use toothpicks to secure. Brush BBQ sauce on all sides of the tenderloin.
- Spray grates with nonstick cooking spray and add the pork tenderloin. Close the lid.
- Flip the pork after 45 minutes so that both sides get the grate sear. Optionally, you can brush more BBQ sauce on at this point to caramelize it as it cooks.
- Continue cooking for another 15-30 minutes with direct heat (allow it to smoke) until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part.
- Place the pork on a cutting board and slice it into 2-inch slices on the long edge and serve with additional BBQ sauce.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn referral fees from products I love and recommend at no extra cost to you.
Leave a Reply