How to Cook Perfect Bacon Loin Steaks in the Oven

Bacon loin steaks, also known as bacon chops, make for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner. These flavorful pork steaks are cut from the loin and wrapped partially or fully in bacon. The bacon adds great texture and smoky flavor as it crisps up in the oven.

Cooking bacon loin steaks in the oven results in evenly cooked meat that’s juicy and tender on the inside with crispy bacon on the outside. While you can pan fry or grill them, using the oven means you don’t have to stand over a hot stove

Below I’ll explain everything you need to know to cook bacon-wrapped pork loin steaks in the oven to perfection every time

Benefits of Cooking Bacon Loin Steaks in the Oven

Here are some of the reasons oven-baking is my favorite way to prepare bacon loin steaks:

• Requires minimal prep and easy cleanup since everything cooks on a sheet pan.
• Allows you to cook multiple steaks easily at once.
• Produces crispy bacon without constant monitoring and flipping.
• Prevents burner flareups from bacon grease that happen on the stovetop.
• Lets you bake other sides like veggies right alongside the steaks.
• Frees up stove space for simmering sauces or cooking other dishes.

Oven cooking gives you deliciously browned bacon and evenly cooked meat with little fuss or hassle Now let’s look at how to do it right

Step-By-Step Guide to Oven-Baked Bacon Loin Steaks

Follow these simple steps for bacon loin steaks cooked to perfection:

1. Choose Your Steaks

Pick steaks that are 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick so they hold up well during cooking. Look for those labeled “bacon-wrapped” or wrap your own pork loin steaks in bacon.

2. Prep the Steaks

Pat pork dry and lightly season with salt, pepper and any other spices you like. Garlic powder, thyme, rosemary and paprika all pair nicely with pork.

If wrapping your own steaks, stretch bacon slices to cover one side of each steak best you can. Secure bacon edges with toothpicks.

3. Preheat Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place a wire baking rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Lightly coat the rack with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.

4. Cook the Steaks

Arrange steaks on the greased rack with bacon sides up. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crisped and an instant read thermometer inserted in the pork reaches 145°F.

5. Rest and Serve

Remove pan from the oven and let steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps seal in the juices. Slice or chop steaks, then serve and enjoy!

And it’s as simple as that. The oven does most of the work for you. Now let’s look at some variations and extra tips for oven-baked bacon loin steaks.

Cooking Tips and Variations

• Bake at a high temp. Cooking at 400-425°F gives you crispier bacon. Lower temps work but will increase cook time.

• Use a meat thermometer. This takes the guesswork out of doneness. Pork is safe at 145°F.

• Try partial bacon wrapping. Covering just 1/3 to 1/2 of each steak saves some fat and calories.

• Brush with glazes or sauces. Lightly brush with barbecue sauce, teriyaki, maple syrup or bourbon glazes during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.

• Broil to finish. If bacon isn’t quite crisp enough, broil for 1-2 minutes to end. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.

• Add roasted veggies. Toss halved Brussels sprouts, cubed potatoes, carrots, etc. right on the baking sheet during the last 10-15 minutes.

Now that you know how to oven-bake them to perfection, let’s explore some easy recipe ideas.

Tasty Bacon Loin Steak Recipes

These flavorful recipes put bacon loin steaks to delicious use:

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin Steaks

• Brush 4 pork loin steaks with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce before oven baking.

• Serve with mashed sweet potatoes and sautéed green beans.

Maple Dijon Pork Loin Steaks

• Whisk 1/4 c maple syrup, 3 tbsp Dijon mustard and 1 minced garlic clove.

• Brush mixture on steaks before and during baking.

• Serve over wild rice pilaf with roasted Brussels sprouts.

Bacon Wrapped Pork Steaks with Potatoes

• Toss halved baby potatoes in olive oil, salt, pepper and rosemary.

• Roast in baking pan alongside bacon loin steaks for full flavor.

Cider Glazed Bacon Steaks

• Brush steaks with a glaze of 1/2 c apple cider, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp mustard and 1 tsp cinnamon.

• Bake and serve with roasted acorn squash wedges.

Tips for Meal Prep and Leftovers

Bacon loin steaks hold up well for meal prepping and leftovers. Here are some tips:

• Let cool completely before packing steaks to store. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

• Reheat gently in the microwave or oven without overcooking.

• Slice or chop steaks to add to salads, sandwiches, wraps, omelets or breakfast hashes.

• Dice and add to soups, pastas, fried rice dishes or casseroles.

With this complete guide, you can now enjoy restaurant-worthy bacon loin steaks easily at home. Crisp, juicy and full of flavor, oven-baked bacon steaks make for a quick and satisfying dinner any night of the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to cook bacon loin steaks in the oven?

Bacon loin steaks take about 20-25 minutes to cook in a 400°F oven. The bacon should become crispy and browned while the pork cooks through and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Use an instant read meat thermometer to check doneness.

What is the best temperature to cook bacon loin steaks in the oven?

400-425°F is the ideal oven temperature range for achieving crispy bacon and properly cooked pork when baking bacon loin steaks. Higher heat helps render bacon fat and brown the bacon.

Should you wrap bacon around pork chops before baking?

Yes, wrapping pork chops or loin steaks with bacon before baking adds delicious flavor from the bacon fat and creates a nice crispy bacon crust on the meat. Partially or fully wrapping pork chops in bacon helps keep the lean meat tender and juicy.

How do you keep bacon from burning on pork chops in the oven?

If your bacon is getting too dark or burning before the pork cooks through, try partially precooking the bacon first. You can also tent foil loosely over the steaks to shield the bacon or reduce oven temperature slightly. Keeping bacon layers thin will also help prevent burning.