Minnesota Maple-Bacon Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Tender pork tenderloin coated in a sweet-savory maple-bacon glaze, slow-roasted with root vegetables for a Midwest-inspired comfort dish. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 55 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, maple syrup, smoked bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork tenderloin
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 4 slices smoked bacon
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 medium parsnips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Trim 1 lb pork tenderloin of excess fat, then slice 4 bacon strips in half and wrap them around the pork, securing with toothpicks.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp maple syrup with 1 tbsp olive oil, then brush half over the bacon-wrapped pork and place it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
- Step 3: Toss 2 peeled, diced carrots and 2 diced parsnips with 1 tbsp olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and spread around the pork on the baking sheet.
- Step 4: Roast for 35-40 minutes until pork reaches 145°F (63°C) internally and vegetables are tender, basting twice with remaining maple mixture during cooking.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Minnesota Maple-Bacon Glazed Pork Tenderloin take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Minnesota Maple-Bacon Glazed Pork Tenderloin?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork tenderloin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Minnesota Maple-Bacon Glazed Pork Tenderloin?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Minnesota Maple-Bacon Glazed Pork Tenderloin for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Minnesota Maple-Bacon Glazed Pork Tenderloin?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect slow cooker recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
