Not long ago, I talked about how my husband Trey has been cooking more since our son was born when I shared my favorite basic crispy air-fried wings recipe.
I have to give him all the credit for this recipe for how to broil steak (more specifically, how to broil filet mignon wrapped in bacon). .
There are a lot of different sides that we can serve with steak that we broil in the oven for dinner, so we do it about once a week. It’s quick, filling, and we can use whatever we have on hand.
When I broil steak instead of baking it, I get these little charred bits that I love. It also only takes a short time to make, even if you like your steak well done, like I do.
Bacon wrapped London broil is a delicious and easy way to prepare a flavorful, juicy cut of beef. The salty, savory bacon complements the beef wonderfully and helps keep it tender and moist. Follow these simple steps and tips and you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality London broil right at home.
Getting Started with Bacon Wrapped London Broil
When preparing bacon wrapped London broil you’ll need
- 1-1.5 lbs London broil, pounded to an even thickness
- 4-6 slices bacon
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: marinade or seasoning rub
Choose the Right Cut of Meat
For bacon wrapped London broil, you want to select a top round, top sirloin, or flank steak. These are all budget-friendly cuts that become very tender and flavorful when marinated. Look for a roast that’s around 1 inch thick.
Pound the Meat
Take a meat mallet and pound the London broil to an even thickness between 1/2 to 1 inch. This helps the meat cook nice and evenly. Be careful not to overdo it though, you don’t want to shred the meat.
Prepare the Bacon
Cut the bacon slices in half lengthwise This makes them easier to wrap tightly around the edges of the London broil
Marinate for Maximum Flavor
Marinating is highly recommended to infuse flavor and help tenderize the meat. A simple marinade of olive oil, salt, and pepper will work nicely. For more flavor, use a store-bought marinade or make your own with ingredients like:
- Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic
- Rosemary
- Lemon juice
- Brown sugar
Let the meat marinate for 1-4 hours in the refrigerator. The longer the better to let the flavors penetrate into the meat.
Season the Meat
If you don’t marinate, be sure to generously season both sides of the London broil with salt and pepper. Another easy option is to use a spice rub. Good spices for London broil include garlic, onion, paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and brown sugar.
Wrapping the London Broil in Bacon
To wrap the seasoned London broil:
- Cover the top of the meat evenly with bacon slices, slightly overlapping them.
- Use toothpicks pinned horizontally across the bacon slices to hold them in place. This keeps the bacon from unraveling while cooking.
- Drizzle some olive oil over the bacon and season lightly again with salt and pepper.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before cooking to help the bacon adhere to the meat.
Cooking Your Bacon Wrapped London Broil
You can cook bacon wrapped London broil either by grilling or broiling. Both methods work well and result in delicious, flavorful meat.
Grilling Method
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Place the London broil directly over the heat and close the lid.
- Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side. Keep the lid closed as much as possible.
- Use tongs to rotate the meat every 2 minutes or so while grilling. This ensures even cooking.
- Remove from the grill when the thickest part of the meat reaches your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer for the most accurate temperatures.
Broiling Method
- Position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heating element and preheat the broiler to high.
- Place the London broil on a broiler pan and broil for 5-7 minutes on each side.
- Watch it closely to make sure the bacon and edges don’t burn.
Doneness Temperatures
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium well: 155°F
- Well done: 165°F
The bacon ensures the lean London broil stays nice and moist while cooking. Remove it from the heat when it’s 5°F below your desired finished temperature, since the meat will continue cooking as it rests.
Let it Rest
Once cooked, transfer the London broil to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute so you have a juicier, more flavorful piece of meat.
While it rests, you can make an easy pan sauce if you like. Add some beef broth and red wine to the drippings in the pan and simmer until thickened and blended. Whisk in a pat of butter at the end.
Slicing and Serving
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Slice the rested London broil as thin as possible against the grain. Cutting against the grain produces shorter muscle fibers for tender, easy to chew meat.
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Fan the sliced London broil out on a platter or individual plates.
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Drizzle with pan sauce, if using.
Bacon wrapped London broil tastes amazing with classic sides like mashed or roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, hearty salads, or rice pilaf. It’s easy to prepare and makes an elegant yet budget-friendly dinner any night of the week.
Bacon Wrapped London Broil Tips
Follow these tips for the most delicious bacon wrapped London broil every time:
- Choose an evenly shaped roast about 1 inch thick.
- Trim any excess fat before pounding to an even thickness.
- Let meat sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Refrigerate the wrapped meat 1-2 hours before cooking.
- Use tongs to rotate the meat while grilling or broiling.
- Grill or broil with the lid closed as much as possible.
- Use a meat thermometer to determine doneness.
- Let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
- Add extra flavor with marinades, spice rubs or pan sauces.
- Pair with roasted, mashed or grilled potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cut of beef for London broil?
Top round, top sirloin, and flank steak are all good choices. They are budget-friendly lean cuts that become very flavorful when marinated.
Should London broil be marinated?
Yes, marinating helps tenderize the meat and add lots of flavor. At the very least, generously season with salt and pepper.
How long should you marinate London broil?
For the best results, marinate for 1-4 hours in the refrigerator. Over 12 hours can start to make the meat mushy.
What is the best way to cook London broil?
Grilling or broiling are the best cooking methods. Grill over high heat for 4-5 minutes per size. Broil for 5-7 minutes per side.
How do you keep London broil from drying out?
Wrapping it in bacon, marinating, basting while cooking, and letting rest before slicing will all help keep it juicy. Don’t overcook.
What are the best side dishes with London broil?
Roasted or mashed potatoes, rice pilaf or pasta, sauteed veggies, and salads are all excellent pairings.
In Conclusion
Wrapping London broil in bacon is an easy way to keep the lean meat juicy, tender and full of flavor. Pound the meat, marinate, evenly wrap in bacon, and grill or broil to desired doneness. Rest before slicing against the grain. Serve with hearty side dishes for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
What Kind of Pan Do You Use?
We use a cast iron pan for this meal. I like using a cast iron pan because it can go from the oven, under the broiler, and then to the stove top for my additional cook time with no problems.
We only wash our cast iron pan a few times a month, and we never use soap or put it in the dishwasher. With most cooking, this leaves a little residue on the steaks, which makes the crispy, charred bits on the steaks even better.
We usually make two steaks at a time, but I only photographed one because I was working during the day and was by myself. Before broiling, I season both sides of the steaks with an all-purpose seasoning that has salt in it. There are LOTS of options.
Once our broiler is preheated, I put the pan in. I broil for 4-6 minutes, then use kitchen tongs to flip the steak over. Then, I broil for another 4-6 minutes.
Then, I’ll take Trey’s steak out of the pan and put it on a plate. I’ll put a bowl on top of the steak. You can also wrap the steak in foil and allow it to rest for 5 minutes.
For my steak (done), I will cook it on the stove top for an additional few minutes. I use the kitchen tongs again to turn the steak over on its side so the bacon gets a little more crispy. Then I will remove to a plate, cover with a bowl, and let it rest for 5 minutes.
You can serve all sorts sides with this—truly anything. If we haven’t had any greens yet in the day, I’ll make a simple salad. If I’m feeling really hungry or more indulgent, I’ll air fry some French fries.
Side Dish Options:
As with any simple recipe, the quality of the ingredients makes all the difference. So, getting a quality filet mignon is key. If you are able to get steak locally grown, that’s always awesome too.
Almost always, we buy filets that are wrapped in bacon. If we don’t find any, we’ll add a small amount (one tablespoon or less) of butter to the steak while it’s cooking. But the bacon adds a little fat, so I don’t think this necessary.
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How Long Does It Take To Broil a Steak?
This of course depends on a few factors, including type of steak, ounces, and thickness of the cut. We typically buy 8-ounce bacon wrapped filets that tend to be 1 1/2 inches thick.
About 4 minutes on each side is how long Trey likes his steak to be cooked to a medium end.
I like my steak cooked more to a “done” doneness level, with very little pink on the inside. I know, I know! Serious steak lovers will probably say I’m doing it wrong and I get it.
But as someone who was a vegetarian for a long time, I don’t like the texture of raw or undercooked meat, even though I eat more meat now.
I don’t really enjoy sushi and I don’t like much if any pink in my steak. Sorry, I mean it! I usually cook my steak for 6 minutes on each side and 5 more minutes on the stove top.
