Juicy Bacon-Wrapped Pork Roast with Portuguese Spices

Nothing beats a good roast, and this one is about as easy as it gets, prep the pork, season it, wrap it in bacon, and let the oven do all the work. Simple as that! 🙂 The seasonings here are classic Portuguese, sweet paprika, a generous smear of massa de pimentão (a rich, salty, fermented red pepper paste that’s basically a Portuguese pantry staple), a little garlic, some cayenne for warmth, and a drizzle of good olive oil. That’s it. You don’t need a lot of fuss to get something seriously delicious on the table, and this recipe is proof of exactly that.

Now, the real star of the show here? The bacon. Wrapping the pork in bacon is the trick that makes all the difference, as it roasts, the bacon acts like a protective jacket, keeping all the moisture locked inside the meat while at the same time rendering its fat slowly over everything underneath. The result is pork that is tender, juicy, and loaded with that deep, savory, porky deliciousness!!!! YAY!

The leftovers, if there are any, are almost as good as the main event. Slice it super thin the next day and pile it into a couple of crusty sandwiches, honestly one of the best lunches you’ll have all week. But first things first, serve it fresh out of the oven with some roasted potatoes on the side, let it rest properly, and enjoy! 🙂 Let’s check the recipe!

Juicy Bacon Wrapped Pork Roast with Portuguese Spices

Servings: 4
Time: 1hr 10mins
Difficulty: Normal
Rating: ★★★★★
Print

A super easy, ridiculously delicious oven roast with Portuguese style seasonings... and then you wrapp it with bacon!!! When has bacon evern failed anyone hehehe 🙂

Ingredients

Pork – 600g (Loin Cut)
Bacon – 6 Slices
Onion – 2
Garlic – 4 Cloves
Carrot – 1
Sweet Paprika – A Pinch
Red Pepper Paste – 1 Teaspoon
Pepper – A Pinch
Cayenne pepper – A Pinch
Salt – A Pinch
Olive Oil – A Drizzle

Directions

Slice the carrots and onions and crush the garlic. Line the baking tray or pan you are going to put in the oven with the carrots and onions.
Place the pork on top and season with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and a little more of red pepper paste on the pork (if you already seasoned the pork for a quick marinade, then you should have used a bit of the red pepper paste as well).

Now wrap the pork with the bacon. If necessary, use toothpicks to secure the bacon to the pork, then season the bacon with pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper.
Place in a preheated oven at 190ºC.
Cook in the oven for about 50 minutes. If the bacon starts to brown, cover with aluminum foil, remove from the oven, and let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving. Serve with some roasted potatoes 😉 Enjoy!

Notes & Tips: Massa de pimentão is a staple of Portuguese cooking, its a thick, salty, deeply flavored fermented red pepper paste. You can find it at Portuguese or Spanish grocery stores, or online. In a pinch, a mix of roasted red pepper puree with a little salt and a touch of olive oil and vinegar gets you close enough!

This is a super easy recipe to roast a beautiful piece of pork, the real trick is the bacon. It acts as a natural shield, protecting the meat from drying out and basting it continuously as it renders. The result? Juicy, flavorful, deeply porky deliciousness with a gorgeous crust.

The recipe uses classic Portuguese-style spices, sweet paprika, red pepper paste (massa de pimentão), and a little cayenne for warmth. But feel free to season to your own taste! Smoked paprika, garlic powder, or even a touch of cumin work beautifully here.

Oven temperatures vary quite a bit, so keep an eye on your roast rather than watching the clock. A meat thermometer is your best friend, aim for an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F) for safe, juicy pork. If the bacon looks done but you’re not sure about the center, cover with foil and give it more time.

Roasting Time Guide at 190°C (375°F): As a general rule, allow roughly 45–50 minutes per kg (20–25 minutes per lb) of pork loin at 190°C (375°F). Here’s a handy reference:

500g (1.1 lb) → ~25–30 minutes 600g (1.3 lb) → ~30–35 minutes (this recipe) 750g (1.6 lb) → ~35–40 minutes 1 kg (2.2 lb) → ~45–50 minutes 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) → ~65–75 minutes 2 kg (4.4 lb) → ~90–100 minutes

This recipe for Juicy Bacon Wrapped Pork Roast with Portuguese Spices was originally created on BakeAfter.com. Esta receita de Porco Assado com Bacon foi publicada em português no Iguaria.com.