Are you looking for a delicious and impressive meal to serve at your next dinner party or special occasion?
Look no further than Kroger bacon wrapped beef tenderloin!
This mouth-watering dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them asking for the recipe.
But how do you cook it to perfection?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to cook a delicious and juicy Kroger bacon wrapped beef tenderloin that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
So, grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Kroger Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin?
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Tenderloin
Before cooking, it’s important to properly prepare the beef tenderloin. Start by trimming any white membrane and fat from the filets using a sharp knife. Then, wrap a slice of bacon completely around each filet, slightly stretching as you wrap, and secure with a piece of cotton butcher’s twine or a toothpick. Finally, season heavily with salt and pepper on both sides of the filets.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F while you prepare the skillet.
Step 3: Heat the Skillet
Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and let it get hot. After about a minute, add some butter and melt it, swirling it around the pan to coat. When the butter is bubbling, add the beef tenderloins to the pan and sear for 90 seconds per side.
Step 4: Finish Cooking in the Oven
Transfer the skillet and beef tenderloins to the preheated oven and roast for 6-7 minutes. Check for desired doneness using a meat thermometer (see temps below in Notes).
Step 5: Rest and Serve
When the beef tenderloins are done, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a clean plate. Cover with foil and let rest for 6-7 minutes. Remove twine or toothpicks from the beef tenderloins and serve each one drizzled with balsamic vinegar glaze.
Ingredients Needed
To make Kroger bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin, you will need the following ingredients:
– 1 beef filet steak, 8 to 10 ounces, 2 inches thick
– 2 slices of bacon
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 tablespoons of butter
– Balsamic vinegar glaze (optional)
Note: The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the steak and your preferred level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check for desired internal temperature: 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium, and 160°F for well-done.
Preparing The Beef Tenderloin
To prepare the Kroger bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin, start by trimming any white membrane and fat from the filets using a sharp knife. Then, wrap a slice of bacon completely around each filet, slightly stretching as you wrap, and secure with a piece of cotton butcher’s twine or a toothpick. Finally, season heavily with salt and pepper on both sides of the filets.
It’s important to note that the bacon will help keep the beef tenderloin moist during cooking, but it’s still important to season the meat properly to enhance its flavor. Make sure to season both sides of the filets generously with salt and pepper.
Once the beef tenderloin is wrapped in bacon and seasoned, it’s ready to be cooked. Follow the instructions above for searing and roasting in the oven to achieve a perfectly cooked, juicy beef tenderloin. Remember to let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices inside to settle and redistribute.
Wrapping The Beef Tenderloin With Bacon
Wrapping the beef tenderloin with bacon is a crucial step in this recipe, as it not only adds flavor but also helps to keep the meat moist and tender. To begin, lay out a large sheet of plastic wrap on a clean surface, overlapping two sheets if necessary. Then, lay the bacon slices vertically on the plastic, slightly overlapping each other.
Next, sprinkle the beef tenderloin with salt and pepper and place it horizontally across the bacon slices, along the bottom of the rectangle of bacon. Carefully roll up the plastic and bacon around the beef so that it is wrapped tightly and evenly. Twist the ends of the plastic to tighten and form the meat into an even log shape.
Place the wrapped beef tenderloin in the refrigerator for at least an hour to firm up, allowing the bacon to stick to the beef and retain its shape during cooking. Once chilled, remove the plastic wrap from the beef tenderloin and discard it.
At this point, you can use toothpicks to secure any loose bacon ends to ensure that they don’t unravel during cooking. Then, place the beef tenderloin seam-side down in a large cast-iron pan or roaster that has been lightly coated with canola oil. Brown on all sides over high heat for about 4-5 minutes per side until crispy and golden.
Once browned, transfer the whole pan to a preheated oven and roast for about 30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 135°F for medium-rare. Remove from oven and transfer the roast to a platter to rest before slicing into 1/2-inch-thick slices. The result: a deliciously juicy and flavorful bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin that’s sure to impress your guests.
Cooking The Beef Tenderloin In The Oven
Cooking the beef tenderloin in the oven is a classic method that yields delicious results. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Thaw and Season the Beef Tenderloin
Make sure the Kroger bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin is completely thawed before cooking. If it’s frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours. Once thawed, remove it from the refrigerator at least one hour before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. Season the beef tenderloin heavily with salt and pepper on both sides.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F.
Step 3: Roast the Beef Tenderloin
Place the beef tenderloin on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Do not add water or cover the roast. Roast until a meat thermometer registers 130°F (about 25–30 minutes) for medium-rare doneness or 140°F for medium doneness (about 30–35 minutes). Remember, your roast will continue to warm after removing it from the oven.
Step 4: Rest and Serve
Transfer your roast to a carving board and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for 15–20 minutes before carving. The temperature of the meat will continue to rise for as much as 10°F during this time. Resting is important because the heat of cooking pulls the juices in the meat toward the surface; if you slice into it immediately after cooking, those flavorful juices will end up on your plate, not in your steak. Allowing your roast to rest will give the juices time to sink back in and throughout the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.
Checking The Internal Temperature Of The Beef Tenderloin
Checking the internal temperature of the beef tenderloin is crucial to ensure that it is cooked to perfection. The best way to know if the beef tenderloin is cooked to the desired level of doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, making sure not to touch any bones or fat.
For a medium-rare beef tenderloin, the internal temperature should read 135°F. For a medium beef tenderloin, the temperature should read 150°F. Keep in mind that the meat will continue to cook after it is removed from the oven, so it’s important to take it out a few degrees before it reaches the desired temperature.
It’s important to note that color alone is not a reliable indicator of doneness. The USDA recommends cooking steaks and roasts to at least 145°F for safety reasons, but many people prefer their beef tenderloin cooked to a lower temperature for optimal taste and tenderness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your beef tenderloin is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
Letting The Beef Tenderloin Rest Before Serving
After cooking the beef tenderloin, it’s important to let it rest before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish. During the cooking process, the protein fibers in the meat tighten and expel moisture. Resting allows these fibers to relax and reabsorb some of that moisture.
To properly rest your beef tenderloin, remove it from the oven or skillet and transfer it to a clean plate. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for 6-7 minutes. This will allow the temperature to even out and the juices to settle back into the meat.
It’s important to note that the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise slightly during the resting period. To ensure your beef tenderloin is cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to check its temperature before removing it from the oven or skillet. For medium-rare, aim for 130°F; for medium, aim for 140°F.
Once your beef tenderloin has rested, remove any twine or toothpicks and serve immediately. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar glaze for an extra burst of flavor. Remember, thicker cuts of meat like beef tenderloin require a longer resting time than thinner cuts, so be patient and let your dish rest before serving for optimal taste and texture.