Ultimate Bacon-Wrapped Mini Filet Mignons with Blue Cheese

Prepare to impress with these exquisite Bacon-Wrapped Mini Filet Mignons topped with Blue Cheese. Succulent, melt-in-your-mouth tenderloin, perfectly wrapped in crispy bacon, and finished with a creamy, pungent blue cheese crumble – this appetizer is designed to be a showstopper. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion like Father’s Day or simply indulging in a gourmet treat, these bite-sized delights promise an unforgettable culinary experience.

Elevate Your Appetizer Game This Season

June is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to fire up the grill or oven for some sensational cooking. Father’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the dads in our lives than with an appetizer that truly shines? Forget the usual fare; this year, we’re serving up something extraordinary: individual mini filet mignons, embraced by crispy bacon, and crowned with a generous sprinkle of blue cheese. It’s a simple concept, yet the resulting flavors are nothing short of spectacular.

This recipe isn’t just about delicious food; it’s about creating a memorable moment. The combination of savory beef, smoky bacon, and the sharp tang of blue cheese offers a sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to even the most discerning palates. Imagine the rich, buttery texture of prime beef, complemented by the salty, umami crunch of perfectly cooked bacon, all brought together by the bold, creamy notes of blue cheese. It’s a symphony of tastes and textures in every single bite. And the best part? These gourmet bites are surprisingly straightforward to prepare, making them accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Crafting Your Perfect Mini Filet Mignons: Simplicity Meets Elegance

The beauty of this appetizer lies in its elegant simplicity and the quality of its core components. It all begins with selecting a high-quality beef tenderloin, the epitome of tenderness. This premium cut is then portioned into small, manageable, bite-sized pieces, perfectly sized for a single, indulgent mouthful. Each petite steak is meticulously wrapped in a thin slice of bacon, a crucial step that infuses smoky flavor and adds an irresistible crispy texture. To ensure the bacon stays perfectly in place as it cooks, each wrapped mini filet is secured with a wooden toothpick.

This careful preparation ensures that every bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes: the incredibly tender beef, the salty crunch of the bacon, and the creamy zest of the blue cheese. It’s an experience that truly defines melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness, offering a gourmet sensation without hours of elaborate cooking.

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Optimal Flavor

• Beef Tenderloin: The star of the show. For the best results, opt for a good quality center-cut beef tenderloin, often referred to as filet mignon. This cut is inherently lean, exceptionally tender, and has a mild, buttery flavor, making it ideal for these mini steaks. While a well-marbled piece can enhance richness, the tenderloin’s natural tenderness is its primary advantage here.
• Bacon: Thin-sliced bacon is absolutely crucial for this recipe. It cooks faster and crisps up beautifully around the small pieces of tenderloin without becoming too chewy or overpowering the delicate flavor of the beef. Avoid thick-cut bacon, as it may not render fully or become crispy enough in the short cooking time, potentially leaving you with undercooked bacon or overcooked beef.
• Blue Cheese: The choice of blue cheese can significantly impact the final flavor profile. A milder blue, such as Gorgonzola Dolce, offers a creamy texture and a subtle, sweet tang that won’t overwhelm. For those who prefer a bolder, more piquant flavor, a stronger Stilton or Roquefort will provide a sharper, more intense contrast to the rich beef and smoky bacon. Always crumble the blue cheese fresh just before serving for the best texture, aroma, and visual appeal.
• Seasoning: Keep it simple. High-quality beef and bacon, combined with pungent blue cheese, provide a wealth of flavor. Simple salt and freshly ground black pepper are all you need to enhance the natural tastes without masking them. Season generously, as the short cooking time means little flavor absorption after cooking begins.

Mastering the Cook: Two Exceptional Methods for Perfect Results

We’re excited to offer two distinct cooking methods for these mini filet mignons, each designed to achieve slightly different, yet equally delicious, results. Your choice will largely depend on your preference for bacon texture, the equipment you have available, and your desired cooking speed. Both methods ensure a tender interior and flavorful exterior, but they approach crispness and cooking uniformity from different angles.

Method #1: The Classic Sear and Bake for Tender Perfection with a Chewy Edge

This traditional method involves searing the bacon-wrapped mini filets in a hot skillet on the stovetop before finishing them in the oven. It’s a fantastic choice for those who appreciate a slightly chewier bacon texture and the visual appeal of beautiful grill marks (if using a grill pan). The initial high-heat sear creates a gorgeous, flavorful crust on the beef and begins to render the bacon, developing its savory notes. The subsequent oven finish ensures the tenderloin cooks evenly to your desired doneness, providing consistent results without the risk of overcooking the exterior.

Detailed Steps for Sear & Bake:

1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the oven is ready to receive your seared filets promptly, minimizing the time between searing and baking for optimal temperature control.
2. Prepare Skillet: Heat approximately 2 tablespoons of a high smoke point oil (like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil) in a heavy-bottomed skillet – cast iron or stainless steel works wonderfully – over medium-high heat. The oil should be shimmering but not smoking, indicating it’s hot enough to create a good sear.
3. Sear the Filets: Carefully place the bacon-wrapped mini filets into the hot skillet. It’s crucial to sear in batches, if necessary, to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding can significantly lower the pan temperature, leading to steaming rather than searing, which prevents the development of a flavorful crust. Sear each side for approximately 1 minute, focusing on achieving a beautiful golden-brown crust, particularly on the non-bacon wrapped sides.
4. Finish in Oven: Once seared, transfer the mini filets from the skillet to a clean baking sheet, arranging them on their bacon-wrapped sides. Bake for about 2-3 minutes, turning them once halfway through, until they reach your preferred internal temperature. For rare, aim for 125°F (52°C); for medium-rare, 130-135°F (54-57°C); and for medium, 140-145°F (60-63°C). Remember that the internal temperature will rise slightly after removal from the oven (carryover cooking), so it’s often best to remove them just shy of your target temperature.

This method offers excellent control over doneness and allows for those desirable grill marks, adding to the aesthetic appeal of your appetizer, perfect for a refined presentation.

Method #2: Deep Frying for Unrivaled Crispy Bacon Perfection

This method, originally championed by my husband, is a true revelation for achieving uniformly crisp and delightfully crunchy bacon around your mini filets. If your ultimate goal is perfectly rendered, shatteringly crisp bacon that crumbles beautifully with each bite, this is undoubtedly the technique for you. It’s also incredibly fast, ensuring quick cooking and remarkably even results every time, which can be a significant advantage when preparing for a crowd.

Detailed Steps for Deep Frying:

1. Heat Oil: In a deep pot or Dutch oven, heat at least 3 inches of a high smoke point oil (such as vegetable, canola, peanut, or grapeseed oil) to precisely 350°F (175°C). Using a reliable candy thermometer or deep-fry thermometer is essential to monitor the temperature accurately. Maintaining the correct oil temperature is paramount for perfectly cooked food, preventing the filets from becoming greasy (if the oil is too cool) or burning (if it’s too hot).
2. Deep Fry the Filets: Carefully lower the bacon-wrapped mini filet mignons into the hot oil. Again, it is crucial to work in small batches if necessary to avoid significantly dropping the oil temperature. Fry for no longer than 2 minutes. The high, even heat of the deep fryer will quickly crisp the bacon to a golden perfection, and simultaneously cook the tenderloin to a perfect medium-rare to medium doneness, thanks to the rapid and consistent heat distribution.
3. Drain Excess Oil: Once cooked, remove the fried filets from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider. Immediately transfer them to a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. This setup allows any excess oil to drain away efficiently, ensuring the bacon remains as crisp as possible and preventing the appetizer from becoming oily.

While deep frying might seem a bit more involved to some, its efficiency and the superior crispness it imparts to the bacon make it a truly “superior” method for this particular dish. Just remember to exercise caution and practice proper safety measures when working with hot oil.

Regardless of the cooking method you choose, you are guaranteed to create an appetizer that will be the talk of your gathering. These Mini Filet Mignons are truly a meat-lover’s dream, offering a gourmet experience in every bite-sized package.

Mini Filet Mignons with Blue Cheese

By Shinee Davaakhuu

Wrapped in bacon and topped with blue cheese, these melt-in-your-mouth tender mini filet mignons are simply the best appetizer for any special occasion!

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

Servings: 30 pieces

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef tenderloin, center cut
• 1 lb thin-sliced bacon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil (for Method 1: Sear & Bake) OR ample high smoke point oil for deep frying (for Method 2)
• Blue cheese, crumbled, for topping

Instructions

1. If using Method 1 (Sear & Bake), preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the beef tenderloin into approximately 1-inch (2.5cm) cubes. It is crucial to thoroughly pat dry each piece of beef with a paper towel; this step is essential for achieving a good sear and crispy bacon.
3. Cut the thin-sliced bacon strips into roughly 4-inch (10cm) long pieces. Take each cubed steak and carefully wrap it with a strip of bacon, securing it tightly with a wooden toothpick to hold the bacon in place during cooking. Season all sides of the bacon-wrapped beef generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Cooking Method 1 (Sear & Bake): Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. In 2-3 batches (do not overcrowd the pan, as this lowers the temperature and can lead to steaming), sear the bacon-wrapped mini filets for about 1 minute per side, focusing on achieving a good golden-brown crust, especially on the non-bacon sides. Transfer the seared filets to a baking sheet, placing them on their bacon-wrapped sides. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 2-3 minutes, turning them once halfway through, until they reach your desired doneness (e.g., 125°F / 52°C for rare, 145°F / 63°C for medium).
5. Cooking Method 2 (Deep Fry): Heat at least 3 inches of a high smoke point oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer to ensure accuracy. Carefully deep fry the mini filet mignons in batches for no longer than 2 minutes, or until the bacon is golden-brown and delightfully crisp, and the beef is cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove the fried filets using a slotted spoon or spider and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow any excess oil to drain away, ensuring maximum crispness.
6. Immediately after cooking and while still hot, top the mini filet mignons generously with freshly crumbled blue cheese. The residual heat will slightly soften the cheese, enhancing its creamy texture and pungent flavor. Serve warm for the best experience.

Tips & Notes

For detailed step-by-step photos and additional insights into ingredient selection and nuanced cooking techniques, please refer to the comprehensive article above.

Pro Tip: Ensure your tenderloin pieces are as dry as possible before wrapping and cooking. Moisture on the surface can hinder proper searing and prevent the bacon from becoming truly crisp. Also, avoid overcrowding your cooking vessel, whether it’s a skillet or deep fryer, as this drastically lowers the temperature and can lead to steamed rather than seared or fried results.

Make Ahead: You can prepare the bacon-wrapped mini filets up to a day in advance. Arrange them uncooked in a single layer in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Before cooking, bring them to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes for more even cooking results.

Nutrition (per piece, estimated)

• Calories: 166 kcal
• Protein: 3 g
• Fat: 17 g
• Sodium: 31 mg

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Tips for Success: Ensuring Perfect Mini Filet Mignons Every Time

Achieving restaurant-quality results at home is easier than you think with these simple, yet crucial, tips that will elevate your bacon-wrapped mini filet mignons from good to absolutely unforgettable:

• Pat Dry, Always, Always: This cannot be stressed enough. Before seasoning and wrapping, ensure your tenderloin pieces are thoroughly patted dry with paper towels. Any excess moisture on the surface of the meat will inhibit a good sear (Maillard reaction) and prevent the bacon from crisping properly, leading to a less desirable texture.
• Don’t Skimp on Bacon Quality: While thin-sliced bacon is recommended for its ability to crisp up quickly, choose a high-quality bacon brand that you trust for its flavor. The bacon not only adds a crucial salty, smoky crunch but also contributes essential fat for moisture and a rich, savory depth to the overall dish.
• Secure with Confidence: Use sturdy wooden toothpicks to secure the bacon around each piece of tenderloin. If you find the bacon tends to come loose during handling or cooking, don’t hesitate to use two toothpicks in a cross pattern for extra security. Just be sure to count them and remove them all before serving to your guests!
• Batch Cook if Necessary: Whether you’re searing in a skillet or deep frying, resist the overwhelming urge to overcrowd your cooking vessel. Cooking too many pieces at once significantly lowers the temperature of the pan or oil, which can lead to steaming instead of searing or crisping. Cooking in smaller batches ensures even heat distribution, resulting in a superior crust, crispier bacon, and more uniform doneness for all your mini filets.
• Resting is Key, Even for Small Bites: While these are small, individual bites, allowing the cooked filets to rest for a minute or two after they come off the heat is still beneficial. This brief resting period allows the internal juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender, succulent, and ultimately more flavorful bite.
• Fresh Blue Cheese for Peak Flavor: Always crumble your blue cheese just before you intend to serve. Pre-crumbled cheese, especially if left exposed, can sometimes dry out or lose some of its potent aroma and creamy texture. Freshly crumbled cheese ensures the most vibrant flavor and appealing texture.

Serving Suggestions: Pairing for Perfection

These Bacon-Wrapped Mini Filet Mignons with Blue Cheese are incredibly rich and flavorful, making them a versatile appetizer suitable for various occasions and pairings. To truly enhance the experience, consider these suggestions:

• Wine Pairing: Complement the richness of the beef and smoky bacon with a robust red wine. A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, a smooth Merlot, or even a spicy Zinfandel would pair beautifully, standing up to the bold flavors. For a contrasting, lighter touch that cuts through the richness, a crisp, dry sparkling wine or a chilled Sauvignon Blanc can be surprisingly refreshing.
• Perfect for Cocktail Hour: Serve these alongside a curated selection of other sophisticated appetizers to create an impressive spread. Think alongside fresh bruschetta, savory stuffed mushrooms, elegant shrimp cocktail, or a vibrant charcuterie board.
• An Impressive Dinner Party Starter: As a luxurious prelude to a larger meal, these mini filets immediately set a gourmet and celebratory tone. If serving as a starter, consider following them up with a lighter main course or a fresh, vibrant salad to balance the richness.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: A simple sprinkle of finely chopped fresh chives, parsley, or even a few sprigs of thyme can add a beautiful pop of color and a fresh, aromatic note that contrasts wonderfully with the rich, savory flavors.
• Dipping Sauces (Optional): While incredibly delicious on their own, for those who enjoy an extra layer of flavor, a light balsamic glaze, a classic red wine reduction, or even a creamy horseradish sauce could be offered on the side. Ensure any sauce complements rather than overwhelms the delicate beef and strong cheese flavors.

Conclusion: A Gourmet Treat Awaits

From casual gatherings with close friends to elegant dinner parties and special celebrations like Father’s Day, these Bacon-Wrapped Mini Filet Mignons with Blue Cheese are guaranteed to be a sensational hit. They brilliantly combine the luxurious taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture of tenderloin with the irresistible crispness of smoky bacon and the bold, creamy flavor of blue cheese into one perfect, unforgettable bite. Simple to prepare, yet utterly impressive and sophisticated, they prove that achieving gourmet doesn’t have to mean complicated. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to this sensational appetizer. Happy cooking, and enjoy every exquisite morsel of this truly special dish!