How to Cook a Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

Bacon-wrapped filet mignon is a smart way to serve this popular cut of steak. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your filet mignon with savory flavors or you just want to try something new, adding a slice of bacon or two to a filet can help you elevate your meal. Just as your steak would crisp up on the grill or in a pan, the bacon crisps, too, giving you an ideal blend of soft, tender steak and crisped bacon edges. 

Cook Time and Temperature for Filet Mignon

Depending on the below cooking method that you choose, filet mignon may cook in different timeframes. Generally, oven cooking takes the longest, while pan-searing with a cast iron skillet can cook filet mignon in the shortest amount of time. However, they cooking methods are all relatively similar in length.

Follow along with the quick recipes below that outline how to cook bacon-wrapped filet mignon steaks in the oven, on the grill, or in a cast iron skillet, to discover the best temperatures for cooking and how long you can expect your filets to take, from start to finish.

Oven Cooked Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

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.

Ingredients

• Filet mignon
• Salt and pepper
• 1 piece of sliced bacon per filet
• Olive oil 

Directions

1. Salt filet generously on all sides. Let filet mignon sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook.
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
3. Wrap the bacon around the sides of the filet, using a toothpick to secure the two ends of bacon. Sprinkle the filet with pepper.
4. Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat with a drizzle of olive oil
5. Sear the filet on each side for 1-2 minutes before transferring the skillet to the oven’s middle rack.
6. Cook for 12-15 minutes to medium rare or until the filet reaches your desired level of doneness and bacon is crisp. 
7. Rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Grilled bacon-wrapped filet mignon is best for imparting smoky grill flavors into your steak and bacon. It’s best to use a gas grill with temperature controls for this recipe, but a charcoal grill will work, too. Just be sure to allow for extra cooking time if using the latter.

Ingredients

• Filet mignon
• Salt and pepper
• 1 piece of sliced bacon per filet
• Olive oil 

Directions

1. Season filet mignon with salt on all sides and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the grill to 450 degrees.
3. Wrap one slice of bacon around each filet, securing the ends with a toothpick. Sprinkle the steak with black pepper.
4. Lightly brush the steaks with olive oil before placing them on the grill. Sear on each side for 1-2 minutes. Then, use tongs to hold each filet on its side to sear the bacon.
5. Move the steaks to a low-heat area of the grill to finish cooking to your preferred temperature (125 degrees for medium rare).
6. Remove steaks from the heat and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before enjoying.

Pan Seared Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon with Cast Iron Skillet

If you have a few minutes to spend with your filet mignon, then this cooking method can work for you. Pan-searing is the best way to ensure you get crispy bacon all around. 

Ingredients

• Filet mignon
• Salt and pepper
• 1 piece of sliced bacon per filet
• Olive oil 
• 1 tbsp butter per filet

Directions

1. Remove filet mignon from the refrigerator; salt on all sides, and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat a skillet to medium high heat. 
3. Season the filet with black pepper before wrapping it with a slice of bacon. Use a toothpick to secure the bacon ends to the filet.
4. Sear the filet on each side for 2-3 minutes. Then, use tongs to hold the filet on its side to sear the bacon. Hold it in place for 1-2 minutes before moving to another area on the side until all sides are seared and the bacon is crisp. This should take about 5-10 minutes.
5. Turn the heat to low and add butter to the pan. Once melted, use a spoon to baste the top of the filet continuously until it reaches your desired temperature (125 degrees for medium rare).
6. Rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Internal Temperature Guide for Filet Mignon

Filet mignon is one of the thickest steaks to cook, so it can be tricky to get to the right temperature. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to judge when your steak is ready to remove from its heat source. Use the following guidelines to determine when to take your steak off the heat based on the level of doneness you prefer:

• Rare: 115℉
• Medium rare: 125℉
• Medium: 135℉
• Medium well: 145℉
• Well done: 155℉ 

Filet Mignon FAQs