The Proper Internal Temperature For Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Ah, the sizzle of a perfectly seared steak, the juicy tenderness of a succulent chicken breast, or the mouthwatering aroma of a slow-roasted pork shoulder – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-cooked piece of meat.

But as any seasoned chef will tell you, achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and safety is all about cooking meat to the correct internal temperature. Like any other meat, bacon wrapped pork tenderloin has to be cooked to the proper temperature in order to be both delicious and safe to eat.

What Is The Right Internal Temperature For Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin?

The right internal temperature for bacon wrapped pork tenderloin is 145°F (62.8°C). The temperature should be taken with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. It is important to note that the temperature should be taken in the center of the meat, not the edges.

How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin To The Right Internal Temperature

The best way to ensure that bacon wrapped pork tenderloin is cooked to the right internal temperature is to use a thermometer. However, a typical method would be to cook it at a temperature of 425°F (218.3°C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

It is also important to keep in mind that the internal temperature of bacon wrapped pork tenderloin will continue to rise after it is removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is important to remove the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin from the heat source when the thermometer reads 145°F (62.8°C). This will ensure that the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin is cooked to the right internal temperature.

Why Is Internal Temperature Important?

Cooking food to the right internal temperature is essential for food safety. Bacteria can cause foodborne illness when food is not cooked to the right temperature.

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin is particularly susceptible to foodborne illness because it can contain higher levels of bacteria than other meats. Therefore, it is important to ensure that bacon wrapped pork tenderloin is cooked to the right internal temperature in order to avoid foodborne illness.

When Cooking Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, It Is Important To Keep The Following Tips In Mind:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Cut the pork tenderloin into 3-4 inch pieces.
3. Wrap each piece of pork tenderloin in bacon.
4. Place the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin on a baking sheet lined with foil.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through.
6. Let the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Recipes

If you want to remove the pork and replace it with say, chicken, that is fine

Recipe 1. Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Honey and Sriracha

Ingredients:

1 pork tenderloin
1 package of bacon
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon sriracha

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2) Cut bacon slices in half.

3) Wrap each bacon slice around pork tenderloin, tucking the ends underneath.

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4) Place pork on a rack in a roasting pan.

5) Bake for 30 minutes.

6) Remove from oven and brush honey and sriracha on top of bacon.

7) Return to oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until bacon is crisp.

Recipe 2. Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Apples

Ingredients:

1 pork tenderloin
1 package of bacon
2 apples, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon sage

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2) Cut bacon slices in half.

3) Wrap each bacon slice around pork tenderloin, tucking the ends underneath.

4) Place pork on a rack in a roasting pan.

5) Bake for 30 minutes.

6) Remove from oven and add apples to the pan, toss with olive oil and sage.

7) Return to oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until bacon is crisp and apples are tender.

Sources

1. Pork Cooking Temperature – National Pork Board. (2021b, August 12). Pork.org. https://pork.org/pork-cooking-temperature/#:~:text=The%20safe%20internal%20pork%20cooking%20temperature%20for%20fresh%20cuts%20is,the%20maximum%20amount%20of%20flavor.
2. Schilhab, B. (2022, December 28). Pork Tenderloin Wrapped in Bacon. Fed & Fit – Easy, Healthy Recipes, Meal Prep, Wellness, and Beauty. https://fedandfit.com/bacon-wrapped-pork-tenderloin/