This Paleo and Whole30 Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin has a sweet and smoky sauce that’s refined sugar free, incredibly delicious and even kid friendly! The recipe can easily be doubled for a crowd and the prep is just 10 minutes. 
I have been meaning to post this recipe for 6 whole months – no joke! Every single month, I scheduled it on my calendar and then kicked it off. I can’t explain why – it’s my family’s favorite way to eat pork and actually the only way we eat it ever since I tried out the recipe last June.
Nope, I definitely won’t be blaming the recipe since a.) bacon-wrapped anything is always delicious b.) the sauce is downright drinkable – I know that sounds weird but it’s totally not, trust me and c.) it’s Whole30 AND naturally sweetened with dates. Although had I used dates to sweeten desserts prior to making this – it was the first time I used dates in a savory sauce, and, I was WAY impressed.
So the recipe itself has nothing to do with why I’ve been hanging on to this one. In fact, I have a scary number of savory dinner recipes that I haven’t gotten around to posting for one reason only – the photo process makes me insane.
Part of it is the timing (I have to cook dinner early – like 6 hours early – for optimal light) and part of it is the production of setting up a “dinner scene” when I’m the only one home, plus showing the meal in different stages of prep always seems to take forever.
Whatever the excuses are though, I need to work through them ASAP! I’m thinking January will be the perfect excuse to cut the crap and start posting all these Whole30 goodies I’ve been postponing.
And now, back to this one – my bacon wrapped pork! What I love about this recipe (um, besides what I already said?) is that the prep is seriously FAST! I used my food processor to put together the sauce and it took about a minute. There’s no marinating prior – just pour half the sauce on the pork, layer on the bacon, pour on the remaining sauce, and roast. It’s that simple!
Pork tenderloins are skinny (I used a “fat” one and it was still relatively narrow) so they cook fast in the oven. Depending on the size of your pork, you’re looking at at 30-40 minute cook time. Plus, you’ll still have room in your oven to roast some potatoes or other veggies – I roasted my pork at 400 F which is also a good temperature for veggie-roasting! I wouldn’t want to be left in a bind with no roasted potatoes – I don’t think you’d like it either.
This recipe is also easy to double if you’re cooking for a larger family, a crowd, or want leftovers – the cook time will likely change so make sure to take the temperature of the meat to know for sure that its done.
Are you ready for smoky-sweet bacon wrapped deliciousness? Let’s go!
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin {Paleo & Whole30}
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin {Paleo & Whole30}
Ingredients
- 1.25-1.5 lb pork tenderloin Whatever is available in this range is fine, cook time might vary based on the size of your tenderloin
- 1/3 cup pitted dates softened*
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 2 Tbsp brown mustard
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- sea salt to sprinkle on meat
- 6 slices nitrate free sugar free bacon (for Whole30) - I get mine from U.S. Wellness Meats
Instructions
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Cut off the silver skin from your tenderloin and remove any excess fat. Sprinkle it with salt all over and set it in a roasting pan or large cast iron skillet. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
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To make the sauce, a food processor or high speed blender will work best. Place the softened dates and water in the food processor and process on high until a paste forms. Add the coconut aminos, mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder and black pepper and pulse until combined.
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Pour half of the sauce over the meat and turn to cover the bottom as well. Lay the half strips of bacon over the top of the pork to cover (tuck gently underneath if there's extra), then pour remaining sauce over the top and brush to evenly coat.
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Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 155 degrees. If desired, place under the broiler for 5 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Allow the meat to rest 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve - enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*You can soak dates in very hot water for 20 minutes to soften them up
Nutrition
What I used to make my bacon wrapped pork tenderloin:
Want more Paleo and Whole30 family dinner ideas? Try one of these!
Easy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
Slow Cooker Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
Turkey Meatballs with Apples and Herbs
Tell Me!
Have you used dates in savory sauces?
Would you like to see more dinner-type recipes? They are on their way!
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Thanks for sharing! Looks delicious! And yes to more dinner recipes! I do need inspiration haha
I need some too actually! I’ve gotten into my dinner rotation rut and I need to find a way out!
Ooh… I love that you brought this out now; I think this would make a family a really perfect holiday meal.
I would like to make this, but what could I replace the dates with? My husband and I are keto, low carb.
I am keto as well and I would just leave the dates out.
It’s still very good without the dates!
Hey i found your recipe while planning a menu for a month of Whole 30. I’d never heard of coconut aminos before so i checked out the link you provided. From what i read it looks almost like a sugar substitute. Do you know if this ingredient is whole 30 compliant, and if not will the recipe still taste good without it? I guess i can try it and see for myself, but wondering if you’ve tried it.
Coconut aminos is not a sugar substitute – it is used in place of soy sauce (soy sauce contains wheat and soy) and is Whole30 compliant: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/
I tried this with a deer loin because I had one in my freezer and it turned out just as amazing! thank you for the recipe 🙂
Ooh that sounds good! So glad it worked for you 🙂
Ummm…what am I supposed to do with the other half of the bacon? The recipe is not clear as written.
The recipe reads “lay the half strips of bacon over the top of the pork” – you begin with 6 strips of bacon, cut them in half, and lay all the pieces over the top to cover the top of the pork loin. The loins are skinny enough that a half strip is long enough to lay over the top and gently tuck the ends underneath. Does this make sense?
OHHHHHH I SEE!!! “Lay the half strips!” not— “lay half the strips!” DUH!!! I read it at least a dozen times that way. THANK YOU! Had this last night and it was delicious. Even my husband who is not Paleo loved it. I mean come on, who doesn’t love bacon wrapped anything? The sauce was perfect – not too overbearing, just right. Thanks so much for the quick response.
We actually had this tonight too, the whole family loves it – so happy you guys did too!
I just made this for dinner and it is now one of my favorite recipes! It was so good!!
Fabulous! So thrilled you liked it 🙂
HI Michele, could I do this in my crock pot?
Do you need to use brown mustard?
I’d keep the mustard but it doesn’t have to be brown, just make sure the ingredients are Whole30 compliant if needed for whatever you’re using 🙂
What sort of dates does this require? Are they the ones that are dried already (with dried fruits etc.)
Thanks! Can’t wait to try!
Any dates will do since you can soak them to re-moisten. If you can, get ones that look “gooey” in the package and not too dried out.
I googled pork loin and whole 30 and found this. Omg- fantastic!! Made this for my family for Valentine’s Day and everyone loved it!
I did not have dates so made without and was delicious. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Oh wow so thrilled you guys liked it! The dates add a bit of sweetness but good to know you still enjoyed it without 🙂
This was the best pork loin I’ve EVER made. So moist and delicious!!!
Great! So thrilled you liked it 🙂
Michele
I am fixing this for guests…tonight. I found a brand, Nature’s Place that was more ‘clean meat’ but they only had pork chops and loin, not TENDERLOIN> I bought the chops. They are 2 to a pack equalling 1 pound. I bought 3 packs giving me 3 pounds of meat. Any ideas on how I might modify this recipe for chops?
Thanks,
Hmm, you can probably wrap the chops, brown then on all sides in a cast iron, then add the sauce and finish in the oven or broiler, though I’m not sure what the time would be on that!
Anxious to try this! I’m curious – Have you ever made this in a crock pot?
I haven’t! Not sure how that would work. The pork wouldn’t be an issue but you’d have to find a way to get the bacon crispy.
Holy cow, that was delicious! Took mine about 45 minutes to cook and I don’t think I soaked my dates long enough but it still tasted great. Definitely keeping this recipe handy.
Do you make a side to go with this? If so, what? On your recipes can you include some suggestions for sides please! : )
Typically we have sweet potato fries or baked french fries, roasted veggies or a green salad, plantains or tostones, butternut squash fries, that sort of thing.
We paired this with a green salad (greens, avocado, red onion, Primal Kitchen greek dressing) and baked (hasselback) sweet potatoes.
Sounds delicious 🙂
We made this for dinner last night… i had the ingredients all in house, the instructions were easy to follow, and we had a tasty, healthy dinner on the table in under and hour. Thank you for sharing!
This was DELICIOUS! Thank you for such a yummy recipe! 🙂
If I don’t have Coconut aminos could I use soy sauce, or what would be a good substitute. We aren’t following ny specific eating plan. Thx.
If you aren’t concerned with sticking to paleo soy sauce, or GF soy sauce would work, use one with less sodium.
I sometimes use Braggs Liquid Aminos
This was hands down the best pork tenderloin recipe I’ve ever had! Thank you so much for sharing.
That’s great!! Thrilled you liked it so much 🙂
This is amazing! I’ve got it book marked and I plan to use the date sauce on a regular basis. Absolutely delish!
What about using figs instead of dates? 🙂
Haven’t tried it but worth a shot 🙂
This recipe is fantastic! Delicious recipes like this have made our Whole30 journey so much easier. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so happy you liked it, yay!
I made this tonight and it was awesome! My picky husband even loved it!
I’m so thrilled you guys enjoyed it!
I just made this in my slow cooker – 5.5 hrs on low and crisped up the bacon in the broiler when it was done. It came out delicious!
Wow that’s awesome to hear, thanks for letting me know!
Super easy, super delicious! My husband raved. This will be a regular at our house.
I have made this recipe a million times. It is huge hit with my whole family. Sometimes I add bacon and sometimes I don’t. I substitute soy sauce for the coconut aminos. Thanks for a great recipe!
I made this exactly according to the recipe (rare for me) because it sounded delicious and it really was! This goes in my Whole 30 book as a keeper. I had a 1lb 4oz tenderloin that I cooked for 30 minutes and it was about 5 minutes too long but otherwise it was mouthwateringly yummy. We’re having leftovers tonight – that good!