Of course, it makes sense. It seems like a question that does not need to be asked by any sane person. Crispy bacon and a delectable, tender steak together?
Believe it or not, there is a pretty good reason why it’s a good idea to wrap a filet in bacon.
Wrapping a tenderloin steak in bacon serves three purposes: 1) infuses the filet with savory, salty, umami goodness as it bastes the filet with bacon fat. 2) prevents the filets from drying out, making them even more succulently juicy as the fat seeps into the steaks. 3) creates a caramelized crust from the extra fat.
How to cook a bacon-wrapped filet mignon
A grilled bacon-wrapped filet is a spectacular treat and is relatively easy to pull off — cook on high-heat for between four to six minutes on each side, and let it rest for 5- 10 minutes to get a perfect medium-rare finish.
However, searing and roasting is — in many people’s minds, including our ButcherBox Head Chef Yankel Polak — the best way to approach a filet mignon to get the most delicious results.
According to Chef Yankel, a meal centered on a filet mignon wrapped in bacon is, “Romantic and luxurious.”
“It is the perfect dinner for an indulgent night in,” he adds.
Below is the recipe for Chef Yankel’s bacon-wrapped filet recipe with buttermilk mashed potatoes and a mushroom wine sauce. Yankel’s recipe calls for wrapping a couple of ButcherBox filet mignons in ButcherBox bacon, which you can do with either a toothpick or butcher’s twine.
Why do we wrap filet mignon in bacon?
Filet mignon comes from one of the least fatty parts of a cow, which is the reason it is so tender. However, this can also be a reason why some folks don’t like filets as much as, say, a well-marbled ribeye. The lack of fat also means a lack of some of the flavors that we — as a steakhouse-packing public — have come to love.
Wrapping a filet in bacon allows for some of the savory, smokey goodness inherent in bacon to seep into the filet when cooking. The fat also burns off the bacon, creating a crispy sear when grilling or cooking in a cast iron pan, or other stovetop methods.
Filet mignon, a lean cut from the little-used tenderloin section of a cow. It has little to no marbling, or intramuscular fat, due to its lack of use. Grass-fed cattle, however, do produce filets with some unique marbling and depth that isn’t found in grain-fed and finished cows. Butter, ghee, or some other fatty dairy product like blue cheese is often added when cooking to up the fat content and flavor.
As filets are often grilled, seared, or roasted, adding fats is vital to keeping the cut moist and tender. If it is cooked without added fats like butter or bacon, a filet can quickly dry out.
No one wants to waste a spectacular — and pricey — cut of beef like filet mignon by cooking it wrong.
Pan-seared Bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon – Bruce Holley
FAQ
Is filet mignon always wrapped in bacon?
What does wrapping meat in bacon do?
Why do they wrap filet mignon?
What makes filet mignon so tender?
Why do you wrap a filet mignon in bacon?
When you wrap the filet in bacon, the steak is infused with tons of bacon flavor while cooking. Another great reason to use bacon is the beautiful sear it helps to give the meat. The fat from the bacon, as it cooks, gives the filet mignon a perfectly seared appearance. Not only does it look pretty but tastes so delicious.
Can you cook bacon wrapped filet mignon in the oven?
Cooking bacon-wrapped filet mignon in the oven is probably the easiest way to learn how to do it. And, if you have a cast iron skillet, you can take your filet straight from searing in a pan to finishing it off in the oven without dirtying more dishes. Salt filet generously on all sides.
How do you cook a filet mignon in the oven?
Let filet mignon sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Wrap the bacon around the sides of the filet, using a toothpick to secure the two ends of bacon. Sprinkle the filet with pepper. Sear the filet on each side for 1-2 minutes before transferring the skillet to the oven’s middle rack.
What goes well with bacon wrapped filet mignon?
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon pairs well with pretty much everything from salad to pasta to potatoes to rice. Here are some of our favorite sides to serve with tenderloin filets: Comforting Sides: Baked Mac and Cheese, Mushroom Risotto, P armesan Risotto, Rice Pilaf, and Mushroom Asiago Orzo.