Bacon-wrapped filet mignon is a smart way to serve this popular cut of steak. Adding one or two slices of bacon to a filet can help you make it taste better, whether you want to add more savory flavors to your filet or just try something new. The steak and bacon both crisp up when cooked on a grill or in a pan. The steak is soft and tender, and the bacon edges are crispy.
Cooking a bacon wrapped beef tenderloin is an easy way to add flavor and moisture to an elegant cut of meat. The salty, smoky bacon complements the buttery beef tenderloin beautifully. Kroger sells high quality beef tenderloin that is perfect for wrapping in bacon and grilling or baking to juicy perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 whole beef tenderloin (2-3 lbs), trimmed and tied
- 1 lb thick sliced bacon
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Tenderloin
- Start with a 2-3 lb Kroger beef tenderloin. Remove any silver skin or connective tissue.
- Tie the tenderloin at 1-2 inch intervals with kitchen twine to maintain an even shape.
- Brush the tenderloin all over with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper.
Wrap with Bacon
- Lay strips of bacon vertically along the length of the tenderloin, overlapping slightly.
- Use about 1 lb of thick sliced bacon to fully wrap the tenderloin.
- Wrap the bacon slices around the entire tenderloin, covering all sides.
- Use toothpicks pinned horizontally to secure the bacon in place.
Grill or Bake
For grilling
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
- Grill the wrapped tenderloin for 15-20 minutes per pound, turning occasionally.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check for done-ness. Pull off at 125°F for medium-rare.
For baking
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place tenderloin on a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until an instant read thermometer registers 125°F.
Rest and Serve
- Transfer to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil.
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing into 1/2″ pieces.
- Serve with your choice of side dishes like roasted potatoes or grilled asparagus.
Tips
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Choose a thick, quality bacon that won’t burn or fall off while cooking.
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Chill the wrapped tenderloin for 30 minutes before cooking for the bacon to adhere
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Rotate while cooking for even doneness. The thinner tail end may cook faster.
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Let rest before slicing to allow juices to distribute evenly.
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Slice across the grain for tenderness.
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Add fresh herbs, garlic, or pepper under the bacon for extra flavor.
With Kroger’s beef tenderloin and bacon, you can make restaurant-quality bacon wrapped filet mignon at home. The smoky, salty bacon pairs perfectly with the tender, buttery beef.
Internal Temperature Guide for Filet Mignon
To cook a filet mignon steak, you need to make sure it’s just the right temperature. Use a meat thermometer to find out when the steak is ready to be taken off the heat. The following tips will help you figure out when to remove your steak from the heat based on how done you like it:
- Rare: 115℉
- Medium rare: 125℉
- Medium: 135℉
- Medium well: 145℉
- Well done: 155℉
People like to add more savory, deep flavors to filet mignon steaks by wrapping them in bacon. This is because filet mignon doesn’t have a lot of flavor on its own. You can use turkey bacon or pork bacon to suit your preferences. Adding bacon not only makes the dish taste better, but the fat from the bacon can also keep the filets tender no matter what method you use to cook them.
Regular filet mignon steaks go well with mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, steamed broccoli or asparagus, or onions and mushrooms sautéed in butter. If you’re having a bacon-wrapped filet mignon, we suggest fresh salad, roasted carrots, or sautéed spinach with a splash of lemon juice as a side dish.
A one-inch filet mignon typically takes between 10-12 minutes to grill to medium rare. However, this time can vary depending on the temperature you’re cooking with. In most cases, gas grills will cook filets faster than charcoal grills. Check the meat’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it’s done the way you like it.
Cook Time and Temperature for Filet Mignon
Depending on the below cooking method that you choose, filet mignon may cook in different timeframes. Most of the time, cooking in the oven takes the most time. For filet mignon, pan-searing with a cast iron skillet takes the least time. However, they cooking methods are all relatively similar in length.
The short recipes below show you how to cook bacon-wrapped filet mignon steaks in the oven, on the grill, or in a cast iron skillet. They also tell you the best temperatures to use and how long the steaks should cook for from beginning to end.