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Bacon-Wrapped Beef Medallions with Smoked Paprika Butter

August 14, 2006 by Nicole 18 Comments

beef-with-butter-for-web.jpg

I decided to get out and grill something before I missed the deadline for Carnival of the Grill, a blogging event hosted by Men in Aprons. I usually don’t need an excuse to fire up the grill, but it’s been so hot lately I’ve chosen to stay in my air conditioned kitchen and have kept my distance from fire-producing objects. Luckily, the mercury seems to be dropping and it’s actually pleasant outside in the evenings again.

So last night, in honor of my return to the grill, I opted for something fancy.  And by fancy I don’t mean complicated, I mean expensive. It’s nice to splurge once in a while and the thick beef tenderloin steaks at the market looked so good that I couldn’t resist. Although I love a good porterhouse or rib eye, there’s nothing like biting into a perfectly grilled tenderloin steak.

Usually I don’t do much to these steaks… a little olive oil, salt, and pepper and they taste amazing. But occasionally I wrap them in bacon.  Last night I took it a step further and crowned my effort with a slice of spicy, smoky compound butter. I was inspired to make this butter a few days ago after visiting 101 Cookbooks. I love smoked paprika and I’m always looking for new ways to use it. It tastes amazing in this butter and I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner! By the way, if you like to make your own barbecue rubs and you have never tried smoked paprika… go buy some now!

Yes, a steak wrapped in bacon and covered in butter might sound like a heart attack waiting to happen, but beef tenderloin is very lean and we’re only talking about one slice of bacon and maybe a teaspoon of butter. Adding a dab of compound butter to grilled meat takes it to a whole new level. Try some sage butter on a grilled pork chop if you don’t believe me.

Bacon-Wrapped Beef Medallions

4 beef tenderloin steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick
4 slices bacon
olive oil
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper

1. Take steaks out of fridge and let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. While steaks are coming to room temperature, get your grill ready (gas or charcoal).

2. Rinse steaks and pat dry with paper towels. Tightly wrap one slice of bacon around each steak, securing with with a toothpick. Brush a thin layer of olive oil on each side of the steaks and season both sides with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.

3. Place steaks over a direct medium-hot flame and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. Move steaks to indirect heat, reduce grill temperature to medium, and continue cooking until the interior temperature reaches 145 degres for medium rare (medium 160, well-done 170).

4. Remove steaks to a platter, top each steak with a slice of Spicy Smoked Paprika Butter (if using) and resist the urge to cut into them for at least 10 minutes!! It is important to let ANY meat rest for 10 minutes after it comes off the grill so that the juices can redistribute throughout the meat. If you cut it right away, all the juices will run right out.

Spicy Smoked Paprika Butter

1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup) at room temperature
1 T. smoked sweet paprika
1 t. chili powder
1/4 t. chipotle chili powder (or substitute with cayenne pepper)
1/2 t. powdered cumin
1/2 t. garlic powder
salt to taste

1. In a small bowl, mix all ingredients into butter until well combined. Add salt to taste and mix well.

2. Spoon mixture onto a sheet of waxed paper, roll it into a cylinder and twist each end tight. Refrigerate overnight or place the wrapped butter in a freezer bag and freeze until ready to use.

Recipe notes: The butter will keep in the freezer for 6 months. When ready to use, defrost in the fridge to make it easier to slice.

Make sure you visit 101 Cookbooks to check out some other ideas for making and using compound butters.

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Filed Under: Bacon, Low Carb, Main Courses, On the Grill

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam says

    August 14, 2006 at 10:21 am

    utterly sublime!!
    Reply
  2. Lizabeth says

    August 14, 2006 at 11:29 am

    My husband saw this when I was reading it and is dying for it to show up on the table...very soon we will try.
    Reply
  3. Nicole says

    August 14, 2006 at 11:39 am

    Yeah this one's a pretty big hit with my husband too :-)
    Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    August 14, 2006 at 3:12 pm

    OH, Nicole, this looks incredible. I'll be sure to direct Quinn toward this, as he is our resident grill master.
    Reply
  5. Quinn says

    August 14, 2006 at 5:10 pm

    I saw the (absolutely gorgeous) picture before I saw the title and the word "Heaven" was the first thing I thought! Beef tenderloin is my favorite splurge food. It sounds like I'm on Alton Brown overload recently, but if you get a chance to watch his Good Eats episode "Tender is the Loin I" you will be rewarded. I always add a little butter to my steaks as soon as they come off the grill (and while they rest.. so smart!), but you have inspired me to try spicing it up next time.
    Reply
  6. gardenpath says

    August 14, 2006 at 10:06 pm

    This sounds so good--it is right before supper, here, and I am hungry. Your food descriptions are wonderful. You must be a writer, as well as a good cook.
    Reply
  7. Curt says

    August 15, 2006 at 1:38 pm

    Great view of a wonderful steak! It may lead to a heart attack, but it's heaven all the way! I also am glad to see someone that appreciates The Spice House and the products they provide... I've yet to find another site with the quality and prices. Next time I'm grilling, want to come over to get some photos? I love that shot!
    Reply
  8. Mae says

    August 16, 2006 at 12:17 am

    Heaven! The beef looks stunning with the butter slowly melting... yummy!
    Reply
  9. sooishi says

    August 28, 2006 at 7:28 am

    Looks dangerously delicious! ;)
    Reply
  10. Mark Bellenoit says

    October 23, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    No one cares if you "stole" the recipe, it's just too good not to share! My Partner and I have no problem making long and difficult recipes, and when something easy with so many levels of flavor comes along, well, all the better. Thanks for posting.
    Reply
  11. Ulla says

    July 23, 2010 at 3:56 am

    I made this last week and it was just incredibly tasty! I also made garlic fries to go with it, the butter was delicious on those too. Thanks ALOT for posting!!! :D
    Reply
  12. Christina says

    January 12, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    Thank you so much for this recipe! Made this tonight and couldn't have been any better. My husband and I loved it! =)
    Reply
  13. Greg says

    May 6, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    Oh yeah that looks good! I've done the tenderloin and bacon routine before, but have never seen the paprika butter addition, I can't wait to give it a try!
    Reply
  14. borisa says

    January 21, 2014 at 5:39 am

    Good stuff!!! Here in region of southern Europe (Balkans) paprika is one of very popular veggies. It goes in almost every dish. That is why these medallions are so tasty:)
    Reply

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