Easy Grilled Jalapeno and Bacon Pork Tenderloin
Move over jalapeno poppers! If you’re looking for the ultimate dish to serve up on Super Bowl Sunday, this double the pork creation will be a total touch down. Easy Grilled Jalapeno and Bacon Pork Tenderloin will have you feeling like the MVP with its smoky, savory, slightly spicy flavors.
Pork is the ultimate blank canvas for flavors and also an ideal protein for weeknight meals. Whether it’s baked in the oven like Easy One Dish Pork and Root Vegetables, or this quick cooking, bold creation, it’s always a favorite. Requiring less than five ingredients and coming together in under an hour, this is sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
Pork tenderloin is such a great protein to stock up on and always have on hand. Not only is it usually sold two per package, but it also seems that it’s always on sale for BOGO. This Easy Grilled Jalapeno and Bacon Pork Tenderloin is a great way to take that larger cut of meat and break it down for a quick sear on the griddle.
- Pork Tenderloin – Tender, lean, and fast cooking. The pork tenderloin gets sliced into six portions and pounded thin making this dish come together that much faster.
- Jalapenos – Jalapenos add a little kick to this dish but don’t overpower the flavors of the pork. Removing the seeds eliminates most of the heat but none of the flavor.
- Brisket Seasoning – This savory blend always includes salt, black pepper, and garlic. You can use your favorite variety. I used Spiceology for this recipe. You can use the code SALTY 10% off.
- Bacon – This not only adds smoky and savory flavor, but the fat in the bacon keeps the pork tenderloin tender, juicy, and moist. And doesn’t crispy bacon really make everything better?
How to Make Easy Grilled Jalapeno and Bacon Pork Tenderloin
With less than five ingredients and a cooking time faster than ordering take out, these boldly flavored pork cutlets are the right answer any night of the week. So, fire up the grill and let’s get cooking!
Time needed: 45 minutes
Pork cutlets are stuffed with jalapenos and wrapped in crispy and smoky bacon.
- Pregame
Preheat your grill with a griddle insert to 500 degrees.
- Slice
Cut your jalapenos into 8 pieces and set aside. You can remove the seeds for less heat if desired. Slice your pork tenderloin into 6 equal portions.
- Tenderize
Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of a piece of pork. Use a meat mallet to pound it our thin. Repeat with the remaining pork.
- Stuff
Season both sides of the pork. Add a slice of jalapeno onto the pork and wrap it tightly. Take a piece of bacon and wrap it around the stuffed pork. Repeat with the remaining pork.
- Grill
Place the wrapped pork seam side down on the hot griddle. Allow each side to cook for approximately four minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve
Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Variations
While this double pork combination is total savory perfection, the same recipe can also be made with chicken. Make sure that your chicken cutlets are pounded out thinly and evenly. Cook them until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Substitutions for Easy Grilled Jalapeno and Bacon Pork Tenderloin
These jalapeno stuffed pork chops don’t pack a ton of heat because it’s only a small portion of jalapeno, however they can be made completely mild but with all of the flavor. Replace the jalapenos in this recipe with slices of sweet bell peppers or even more mild and earthy poblano pepper slices.
Storage
There’s nothing like grilled meat that makes for great leftovers and also meal prep. These stuffed pork chops will keep for up to four days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be reheated in the microwave or in an oven set at a low temperature.
You can also prepare these up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator and take them out to come to room temperature while heating up your grill.
Tools
These jalapeno stuffed bacon wrapped pork chops were cooked on the Aspire by Hestan gas grill. The stainless steel griddle makes it easy to sear the bacon wrapped pork and achieve that golden, crispy crust.
This same recipe can be made on an indoor griddle, or your outdoor grill. If grilling these bacon wrapped pork chops, make sure you carefully monitor your fire as to prevent any flare-ups from the bacon.
To ensure that your pork is perfectly cooked but not overcooked, an instant read digital thermometer is a great tool to have on hand. This will ensure that your pork remains juicy and tender.
Top Tip for Easy Grilled Jalapeno and Bacon Pork Tenderloin
When picking bacon for this recipe, make sure that you pick bacon that is thin cut. Because pork tenderloin cooks so fast this will allow the bacon to cook through while getting crispy.
In addition, making sure that your pork is pounded into an even thickness will also allow the pork to cook evenly.
Easy Grilled Jalapeno and Bacon Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
- 1 grill with griddle
- 1 meat mallet
- 1 sharp knife
- plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin
- 2 jalapenos
- 1 tbsp brisket seasoning
- 6 strips bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your grill with griddle to 500 degrees.
- Slice your jalapenos into 8 strips. Remove seeds for less heat if desired.
- Slice your pork tenderloin into 6 equal portions.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap over a pork chop. Use a meat mallet to thinly and evenly pound your pork cutlet. Repeat with the remaining pork.
- Season both sides of the pork with the brisket seasoning.
- Place a piece of jalapeno in the center of the pork and wrap the pork around it. Take a piece of bacon and wrap around the pork. Repeat the process with the remaining pork.
- Place the wrapped pork seam side down on the hot griddle. Allow each side to cook about 4 minutes, flipping so all sides brown. Cook until done.
- Let cool briefly before serving.
- Enjoy!