This Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin is quick to make and packs a ton of flavor! Just five ingredients make it perfect for a weeknight.
Seriously, who wouldn’t love a juicy pork loin wrapped in bacon? Pork loin is so great for an easy weeknight meal that I always have one in my fridge ready to go, and this bacon-wrapped pork loin? This is my favorite so far.
Why You’ll Love Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin
Easy and elegant – This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, start to finish! It’s perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough that you could serve it to guests.
Flavor pop – I used an applewood smoked bacon marinated pork loin for the extra flavor, but you can use any pork loin, marinated or not (trust me though, you’ll love the marinated pork loin). Plus the addition of applewood smoked bacon and a glaze of honey and balsamic vinegar? Yum!
Moist and juicy – The stuffing of blue cheese and the outer layer of applewood smoked bacon adds flavor and helps keep the pork loin moist and juicy throughout the cooking process.
Simple preparation – Despite its gourmet appearance and complex flavors, this pork loin is surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a perfect option for both experienced cooks looking to impress and beginners seeking a delicious yet manageable recipe.
Versatile – Whether served for a formal dinner or sliced up for a casual family meal, this dish is versatile enough for any occasion.
Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin Ingredients
- Pork Loin: Choose a pork loin that is 2 to 2 and a half pounds, center cut and boneless. I used a marinated applewood smoked pork loin but you can use the pork loin of your choice.
- Bacon: 8-10 slices of regular cut, not thick cut bacon. Use Applewood Smoked bacon if it is available!
- Crumbled blue cheese: Use a high quality brand of blue cheese crumbles.
- Honey & Balsamic Vinegar: This sweet and tangy combination really enhances the flavors of the bacon and blue cheese.
Refer to the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin
- Sear: In a hot skillet, brown the pork loin on all sides over medium-high heat.
- Slice & Stuff: Being sure not to cut all the way through, cut a lengthwise slit in the pork loin and gently fold open. Stuff with blue cheese crumbles and fold closed.
- Wrap: line bacon slices on a cutting board with edges slightly overlapping, then place the pork loin over the bacon. Roll the bacon around the pork loin and wrap until bacon completely covers the pork loin.
- Glaze: Use a basting brush and coat the bacon with honey and balsamic vinegar mixture.
- Bake: Roast the pork loin on a wire baking rack set over a baking sheet. Cook for 20 minutes, bast again with the honey and balsamic vinegar, continue baking until pork is cooked through, and remove from the oven.
- Rest: Let the pork loin rest for about 10 minutes, then slice and serve!
Don’t be concerned if a little blue cheese leaks out a bit. The bacon helps to keep it all in and also helps to keep the pork loin very moist.
Variations, Substitutions, & Cooking Tips
Add herbs – Add depth and aroma to the flavor profile by incorporating fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage into the blue cheese stuffing.
Add fruit: Experiment with different fruits such as sliced apples, cherries, pears, or figs to complement the blue cheese and bacon, adding a hint of sweetness to the dish.
Glaze swap: Use maple syrup instead of honey to create the glaze.
Cheese choices: If blue cheese isn’t your preference, try it with crumbled feta, goat cheese, or even shredded sharp cheddar for a different flavor profile.
Bacon swap: Replace the applewood smoked bacon with pancetta, prosciutto, or smoked ham.
Secure the wrap: Use toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure the bacon around the stuffed pork loin to prevent the stuffing from spilling out during cooking and ensure a neat presentation when slicing.
Temperature check: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork loin reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for optimal doneness, avoiding overcooking and dryness.
Blanch the bacon: For easier wrapping or to ensure doneness, you can blanch the bacon before wrapping the pork loin.
Serving Suggestions: This bacon-wrapped pork loin pairs well with almost anything. Try rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even a nice, fresh salad.
Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin
This Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin is quick to make and packs a ton of flavor! Just five ingredients make it perfect for a weeknight.
Ingredients
- 1 Fresh Pork Loin Filet, about 2 pounds
- 8-10 slices bacon, not thick-cut
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 T balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Sear pork loin in a hot skillet with a little vegetable oil over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Cut a large slit lengthwise into pork loin, taking care not to cut all the way through. Stuff with blue cheese and hold closed.
- Lay bacon on a large cutting board with edges slightly overlapping lengthwise. Set pork loin on bacon. Slowly roll up the pork loin and bacon until pork loin is completely covered.
- Place bacon on a wire baking rack set over a sheet pan (cover the sheet pan in foil, if desired, for easy cleanup later). Mix together honey and vinegar, then brush about half over bacon.
- Place in oven and cook for 20 minutes. Brush with remaining honey mixture, return to oven and cook another 5 minutes or until pork loin is cooked through.
- Allow pork to rest 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
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- Smoked Pork Loin
- Teriyaki Pork Loin With Pineapple Relish
- Cherry & Balsamic Crock Pot Pork Chops
- Grilled Boneless Pork Chops with Mexican Corn Salad
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