Bacon-Wrapped Steak: Pan-Searing Perfection

Bacon-wrapped steak is a delicious and surprisingly easy dish to prepare. Whether you're looking for a romantic Valentine's Day meal or a special birthday dinner, this dish is sure to impress. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to create the perfect bacon-wrapped steak, from choosing the right ingredients to pan-searing and oven-roasting techniques. We'll also offer suggestions for mouth-watering sauces and side dishes to complete your meal. So, get ready to fire up your skillet and prepare a restaurant-worthy meal in the comfort of your own home!

Preheat oven to 420-450°F

Preheat your oven to 420-450°F. The time this will take depends on the type of oven you have. For example, gas ovens respond more quickly to changes in the thermostat setting than electric ovens. Therefore, a gas oven may take less time to preheat than an electric oven. Additionally, the size of your oven cavity and the altitude you are at can impact the preheat time. For instance, a bigger oven cavity will take longer to heat up, and if you are at a higher altitude, you can expect a slightly longer preheat time. Oven contents can also affect preheat time; if you have pans or bakeware inside your oven, they will absorb heat, causing the oven to take longer to preheat.

As a general rule of thumb, you should preheat your oven for 10-15 minutes. However, it is recommended to use an oven thermometer to help you navigate your oven's unique characteristics and determine when it has finished preheating.

Prepare the steak

Take your steaks out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This will help the steaks cook more evenly.

Pat the steaks dry with paper towels to absorb any moisture. This will help form a beautiful crust when cooked.

Generously season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as rosemary or thyme.

Wrap each steak with a strip of bacon. Use a toothpick or kitchen twine to secure the bacon in place. The bacon will add flavour and help keep the steaks tender.

Preheat a cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the pan and heat until the oil is shimmering or easily movable.

Place the steaks in the pan and listen for a sizzling noise, which indicates that the pan is hot enough. If you don't hear a sizzle, remove the steaks and heat the pan longer.

Sear the steaks for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they develop a nice colour. You can also hold the steaks on their sides with tongs to sear the bacon.

For a pan-seared steak, continue cooking on the stovetop. Otherwise, transfer the skillet to the oven to finish cooking.

Wrap the steak with bacon

Wrapping steak with bacon is a great way to impart more savoury, deep flavours into the meat. You can use turkey bacon or pork bacon, depending on your preference. The fat from the bacon will also help keep the steaks tender.

Before wrapping the steaks, pat them dry with paper towels. This will help form a beautiful crust when cooked. Then, season the meat with oil and your favourite seasonings, distributing them gently and evenly on all sides.

For each steak, you will need one strip of bacon. Wrap the bacon around the sides of the steak, securing the ends with a toothpick or kitchen twine. If you are cooking multiple steaks, repeat this process for each one.

Now your bacon-wrapped steaks are ready to be seared!

Heat a cast iron skillet

To pan-sear a bacon-wrapped steak, you'll need to heat a cast iron skillet. This is a crucial step in ensuring your steak develops a beautiful crust and deep flavour. Here's a detailed guide on how to heat your cast iron skillet for the best results:

Firstly, ensure your cast iron skillet is properly seasoned. This will not only help prevent your steak from sticking but will also enhance the non-stick properties of the skillet. If your skillet is new or hasn't been seasoned in a while, rub a thin layer of vegetable oil or melted shortening onto its surface, heat it in the oven for an hour, and let it cool. Repeat this process three to four times to build up a good seasoning foundation.

Now, let's get the skillet nice and hot. Place the skillet on your stovetop and turn the heat up to medium-high. You want to give the skillet enough time to heat up properly, so it's best to do this before you start preparing your steak. This will ensure your steak sears evenly and effectively.

How do you know when your skillet is ready? The key is in the sizzle. When you place your hand above the skillet, you should feel heat radiating upwards. Additionally, a drop of water should skitter across the surface and evaporate almost immediately. If the water droplet doesn't move or takes a while to evaporate, your skillet needs more time to heat up.

Once your skillet is hot, the next step is to add some fat. You can use a drizzle of olive oil or a tablespoon of butter. This will help prevent sticking and add flavour to your steak. Let the fat heat up; you'll know it's ready when the butter has melted and starts to foam, or the oil begins to smoke slightly.

Now that your cast iron skillet is heated and ready, it's time to add your bacon-wrapped steak. Place the steak in the centre of the skillet and listen for that satisfying sizzle. Don't be tempted to move the steak around too much; let it sear for a good minute or so on each side to develop a deep brown crust.

Finally, once your steak is seared to perfection, it's essential to give it some rest time. Transfer the steak to a plate or cutting board and let it rest for at least five minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your steak stays moist and tender.

By following these steps and paying attention to the small details, you'll be well on your way to mastering the art of cooking a bacon-wrapped steak with a perfectly heated cast iron skillet.

Sear the steak

To sear your bacon-wrapped steak, you will need to heat a cast iron skillet on the stovetop on medium-high heat. Add some olive oil to the pan and heat until shimmering. You should be able to move the oil around the pan easily.

Once the oil is hot, place your bacon-wrapped steaks in the pan. You should hear a sizzling noise. If not, remove the steaks and heat the pan for longer. Sear the steaks for 1-2 minutes on each side. You can also sear the edges of the bacon by holding the steak in place with tongs.

After searing, transfer the skillet to the oven to finish cooking. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be 135°F.

Frequently asked questions