Here’s a dinner recipe that even the picky eaters might like: Curry Pork Lettuce Wraps with Bacon
I whipped this up for dinner last week, and as I was making it… my son was over my shoulder saying, “No celery! Don’t put curry in it! It’s going to be icky!” I told him to relax… that I knew what I was doing… and that he’d soon be begging me to have more than one. A lot of kids are wary of things with flavor (like curry) or texture (celery), and I just hope most parents out there are at least trying to give their kids a variety of foods to try so they can develop a healthy and varied palate. Food is awesome, so it’s a shame when people don’t want to try new things!
This recipe calls for an already marinated Smithfield Peppercorn and Garlic Pork Tenderloin. Just bake it according to the directions on the package, slice it, let it cool and chop it up. You’ve had chicken salad, right? Same concept here, but using seasoned pork instead of chicken + celery and apple.
Those three ingredients are mixed with a simple mayo/curry powder/lemon juice/salt/pepper mixture.
Then the curry pork salad is spooned into lettuce leaves… and topped with crisp Smithfield bacon, of course!
Back to the kiddo (who is 14, by the way)… he was a little leery of tasting these, but he spotted the bacon on top and decided it would be okay to give it a try. And guess what? He LOVED them. He ate two and asked for a third. Picky kid approved!
I must say, this was the most delicious recipe I made last week. I loved it in the lettuce wraps, but it would also be good tucked into a croissant or something similar. And with some beautiful, crunchy autumn apples… it makes for a delicious seasonal dinner.
Curry Pork Lettuce Wraps with Bacon
Ingredients
- One 24 ounce Smithfield Peppercorn and Garlic Pork Tenderloin
- 6 slices bacon
- ¾ cup finely chopped celery
- ¾ cup chopped red apple
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 10 large lettuce leaves (red or green leaf work well)
Instructions
- Bake the tenderloin according to package instructions. Slice into ½ inch slices and let cool. Chop into small pieces.
- Cook bacon until crisp; then chop.
- Place the cooled, chopped pork in a medium bowl with the celery and apple.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon, curry and salt. Add the chopped pork/apple/celery and mix to combine.
- Lay out the lettuce leaves on a platter. Spoon the pork mixture into the lettuce leaves and sprinkle with bacon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Here are a few more lettuce wrap recipes you might enjoy:
- Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Dipping Sauce by Natasha’s Kitchen
- Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps by RecipeGirl
- PF Chang’s Copycat Chicken Lettuce Wraps by An Edible Mosaic
- Poppy Seed Chicken Fruit Salad Lettuce Wraps by Carlsbad Cravings
Disclosure: This post has been written in partnership with Smithfield to share their line of marinated pork. This is a product that I know and use in my kitchen. All opinions shared are my own.
I love the addition of the curry, I bet the flavor is unbelievable!
I would be all over these wraps! I love that you used pork tenderloin and bacon. Hello pork happiness!
Wow Lori, these are such a unique spin on a lettuce wrap. I love that this recipe has all of those crunchy fresh elements and the touch of curry powder. Glad the kiddo liked them too! As my grandmother used to say “Don’t knock it ’til you try it”. 🙂
Great idea to sub the seasoned pork for chicken. It’s pork squared, with the bacon on top. Never a bad thing, in my book. Love your lettuce cups, and I would be right behind your son, asking for a third one.
Oh I love a good lettuce wrap – these look great! Love that you switched it up and used pork.
I love the idea of using the Smithfield pork instead of chicken!! This looks fabulous – wishing i had it for lunch today!
Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog through my search of lettuce roll recipes and wow! These look great! I love what you said about picky eaters and how parents really need to still encourage their children to try new things. That is exactly the same thing I tell people. My kids are still picky, but I was too when I was a kid. That didn’t stop my parents from cooking whatever they wanted for dinner, and I had to eat it. Turned out, there are very few things that I don’t like now as an adult. I believe that is due to trying so many new things while growing up. Anyway, I love the recipe and will definitely be giving it a try! Thank you for sharing!
-Ashley