Hasselback Pineapple Pork Tenderloin

04.14.2023• Gourmet, Pork, Poultry

This Hasselback Pineapple Pork Tenderloin is spread open like a fan and filled with sweet pineapple, spicy red onions, and smoky bacon. Then that’s topped with a caramelized sauce, making this loin one flavor-packed dish!

Ingredients

1 ¼ pounds pork tenderloin
3 slices bacon Applewood or cherrywood smoked – sliced into two-inch pieces (or just over the width of the tenderloin)
1 small red onion halved and sliced ¼ inch thick
6 ounces pineapple chunks canned, drained and halved if large
1 jalapeno sliced (substitute = pickled jalapenos) – optional
1 tsp kosher salt or to taste
½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
1 tsp smoked paprika or paprika (optional)

Garnish & Sauce

1 scallion sliced for garnish
Bacon bits chopped for garnish
pineapple bourbon barbecue sauce or pineapple habanero sauce (Terrapin Ridge)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 °F.
Place the pork tenderloins on a cutting board and make parallel incisions 1 inch apart widthwise along the length of the meat leaving ⅓ inch. The bottom of the tenderloins should remain intact and hold the ingredients in the seam.

1 ¼ pounds pork tenderloin
Season the tenderloin inside the pockets and around the exterior with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika
Place a pineapple slice, bacon, and red onion slice in each pocket. If necessary, trim the slices so they stick out about 1/4 inch. Spoon six or more tablespoons of the sauce over each tenderloin and top with the jalapeno slices if using.

3 slices bacon, 1 small red onion, 6 ounces pineapple chunks, pineapple bourbon barbecue sauce, 1 jalapeno
Bake until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 degrees F, 22 to 25 minutes.
Turn to broil. Broil until the glaze is bubbling and the bacon ends are browned, 2-3 minutes. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes.
Slice and place on a serving platter or individual plates. Garnish with scallions and bits of bacon, and serve with additional sauce.

1 scallion, Bacon bits

Notes

Grill Option: Place prepared tenderloin on a heavy-duty sheet of aluminum foil with sides folded up or a foil grill pan. Grill for 20 – 25 minutes on medium-high and indirect heat.

Bacon: If you prefer crispier bacon, cook it in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes before placing it in the tenderloin pockets.