What to Serve with Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin (27 Sides)
Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is the perfect way to celebrate the start of fall.
It’s easy to make, and it’s sure to impress your guests.
But let’s be honest: no matter how delicious your main course is, every meal is better when you have a few sides!
Read Also: Pork Tenderloin Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Pork Tenderloin
So, what goes well with bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin?
Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin goes well with a variety of sides. Try serving it with mashed potatoes or sweet potato fries, or even on a bed of rice or pasta. You can also serve the pork tenderloin with a side salad or vegetable dish.
For more suggestions, read on!
What to Serve with Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
The humble bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is a staple of any good cookout.
It’s the perfect combination of salty and sweet, crunchy and tender, meaty and indulgent… but it’s not always easy to know what to serve with it!
Below, I’ve rounded up 27 side dishes that are perfect for pairing with your bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, so you can make sure your guests are getting all the flavors they need:
1. Mashed Potatoes
This is a classic pairing, and for good reason!
The creamy texture of mashed potatoes complements the rich flavor of bacon-wrapped pork tenderloins perfectly.
Try these garlic mashed potatoes as an alternative to plain ol’ white mashed potatoes—they’re super simple to make and will add another layer of savory goodness to your meal.
2. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Grilled corn on the cob is another great way to add some sweetness to your meal without overwhelming it with sugar.
If you don’t have a grill at home (or if it’s just too hot outside for grilling), you can still make this dish in your oven—just check out this recipe!
3. Baked beans
Baked beans are another classic side that goes well with this kind of meal, but they’re a bit more complex than mashed potatoes and can require a few extra steps to make sure they’re perfect.
If you have time to make them from scratch, then by all means do!
But if not, feel free to use canned baked beans instead—they’ll still taste great!
4. Grilled Vegetables
Another perfect side dish to serve with bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is grilled vegetables.
You can use any type of vegetable you like—I recommend chopping it into bite-size pieces and tossing in a little olive oil and Italian seasoning before grilling.
5. Crispy Fried Onions
Fried onions are a delicious alternative to grilled vegetables for your bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, but you’ll want to make sure they’re super crispy!
I suggest using a deep fryer for this step, because it will ensure that all the onions come out perfectly golden brown and crunchy.
If you don’t have a deep fryer, try using your oven!
Just set the temperature at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, keep an eye on them while they’re cooking, and flip them over every few minutes until they’re done!
6. Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Grilled asparagus is always a great option for pairing with bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin because it’s light and refreshing—and it pairs well with both red meat and white meat alike!
It’s also great because you can make it ahead of time and store it in your refrigerator until you’re ready to grill it up again.
7. Creamy Polenta
Polenta is a great side dish because it’s easy to make and comes together quickly, which means you can spend more time enjoying your pork tenderloin.
It’s also gluten-free, so it makes a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
Plus, polenta is creamy and delicious!
You can serve it plain or add some flavorful ingredients like sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
8. Roasted Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the best things about fall—they’re easy to prepare, they’re delicious, and they can be paired with just about anything!
Roasted potatoes are especially good when paired with a savory meal like this one; they’ll add some color and crunch without overpowering the rest of the dish.
9. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
If you’re looking for an alternative to regular potatoes or simply want something different, roasted sweet potatoes are an excellent choice!
They have a delicious sweetness that pairs well with the savory flavor of bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin and add color to any plate they’re served on.
10. Buttered Baby Carrots
Baby carrots are often overlooked in favor of their big brother, the full-sized carrot.
But really, they’re just as sweet and flavorful.
You can boil them up and serve them with butter and a sprinkling of salt, or pickle them for a unique twist on traditional side dishes.
11. Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole is a great side dish for this meal because it has the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that complement the pork tenderloin really well.
Plus, it’s super easy to make!
Just boil some sweet potatoes until they’re soft enough to mash up, mix in some butter and brown sugar, then top with pecans or walnuts before baking for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius).
12. Celery Root Puree
Celery root has an amazing flavor that goes well with anything else you’ve got in your kitchen—but especially something like this meaty dish!
It’s easy to make at home: just peel it up and slice it into chunks, steam it until soft enough to mash up with a fork (or use an immersion blender), then add some cream cheese and sour cream for extra creaminess!
13. Cornbread
This is the perfect addition to any dinner plate—especially if it has bacon on it!
The sweetness of the cornbread pairs well with the savory flavor of the pork tenderloin, while also providing a nice contrast to the crunchy exterior of the meat’s wrapping.
14. Grilled Asparagus
Asparagus is a great option to serve with bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin because it absorbs the flavor of the pork and pairs well with it.
The crispy, salty bacon and soft, juicy asparagus complement each other perfectly.
If you’re looking for a side dish that’s easy to make and tastes amazing, try grilling some asparagus!
15. Garlicky Green Beans
Green beans are another great choice for serving with bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin because they can be cooked in the same pan as the pork tenderloin—saving you time on cleanup!
This is perfect if you don’t have much experience cooking green beans or if your kitchen isn’t fully stocked yet with pots and pans.
Try roasting them at high heat until they’re crisp but not burnt.
The garlic adds an extra layer of flavor that makes these green beans irresistible!
16. Baked Cauliflower
This recipe takes cauliflower from a bland side dish to something rich and decadent that you’ll want to savor every bite of!
A secret ingredient that I love to use is lemon zest and juice—it adds just the right amount of tanginess without overpowering the taste buds (or making them pucker).
17. A Baked Potato with Sour Cream and Chives
This is a classic side dish that can’t be beat!
You can make it ahead of time and heat it up just before serving, or even bake it right alongside the pork tenderloin.
It’s a great way to add some carbs to the meal.
18. Vegetable Medley
This is a great way to add some color and variety to your plate, but you don’t want to go overboard on the vegetables because they need more cooking time than your main course!
If you want to make this ahead of time, try roasting some of your veggies in advance so they’re ready when you need them—you could even roast them at 425°F for about 20 minutes, then put them in the fridge until you’re ready for them!
19. Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Spinach salads are easy to make, but they pack a lot of flavor, so they’re perfect for when you want something healthy but delicious at the same time!
Plus, blue cheese dressing goes perfectly with spinach and pork because it has tons of salt (which helps balance out all that sweetness!).
20. Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a great option because it provides color contrast to your meal.
It’s also very healthy, so you can feel good about what you’re serving yourself and your guests.
Fruit salads also tend to be light, which makes them a good option if you’re worried about overeating at dinner time.
21. Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a classic side for bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin because it goes well with the meat’s salty flavor, and it’s a great way to get some extra protein in your meal.
It’s also an easy dish to make, so you don’t have to worry about spending too much time in the kitchen.
22. Green Salad
This classic option is always a good choice when you want to lighten up the meal a bit.
A green salad can also be served as part of an appetizer spread or as a side dish to soup or chili.
The best part about this side is that it will go with any main course!
23. Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach has been around forever and people love it because it’s so delicious and easy to make.
All you have to do is boil some water for the spinach and then add some cream sauce and spices, and boom!
You’ve got yourself a plate of creamy goodness that will have everyone asking for seconds.
24. Buttered Carrots with Parsley
Carrots are another vegetable that pairs well with this dish because they add some sweetness to this savory dish—but not too much!
They’re also another source of vitamins and minerals that will help keep you feeling full throughout the day after eating this meal so there’s no need to feel guilty about indulging in something so delicious!
25. Couscous with Cherry Tomatoes and Feta Cheese
This side is a perfect accompaniment to almost any dish that contains meat.
The soft couscous will soak up the juices from the pork while still being light enough to leave room for another serving of meat (if you’re like us!).
The salty feta cheese adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes, making it an enjoyable bite with every forkful.
26. Brown Rice Pilaf with Walnuts and Dried Cranberries
This side is a great alternative if you’re looking for something a bit more hearty than couscous but still want something light enough to complement your main entree.
The brown rice pilaf has just enough texture that it won’t get lost in the dish, while still being soft enough to be eaten along with everything else on your plate—I promise that it won’t get soggy!
The dried cranberries add a burst of tartness that will cut through all of those rich flavors while still allowing you to taste every last bite of your pork tenderloin entrée!
27. Fried Rice with Peas and Carrots
Fried Rice with peas and carrots is a delicious, easy way to add some extra veggies to your meal.
This recipe calls for frozen peas and carrots, but feel free to use fresh if you have them on hand!
The dish is simple:
- Just sautee the vegetables in some oil until they’re crispy, then combine them with rice cooked in chicken stock and seasonings.
- Top it all off with an egg and serve!
What to Serve with Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin (27 Sides)
Ingredients
- Mashed Potatoes
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Baked beans
- Grilled Vegetables
- Crispy Fried Onions
- Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Creamy Polenta
- Roasted Potatoes
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Buttered Baby Carrots
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Celery Root Puree
- Cornbread
- Grilled Asparagus
- Garlicky Green Beans
- Baked Cauliflower
- A Baked Potato with Sour Cream and Chives
- Vegetable Medley
- Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
- Fruit Salad
- Mac and Cheese
- Green Salad
- Creamed Spinach
- Buttered Carrots with Parsley
- Couscous with Cherry Tomatoes and Feta Cheese
- Brown Rice Pilaf with Walnuts and Dried Cranberries
- Fried Rice with Peas and Carrots
Instructions
- Pick your favorite recipe from this list to serve with your delicious meal.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Be ready to munch in no time!
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.