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Wrapped in bacon and served with a creamy horseradish sauce and a glass of Sonoma-Cutrer wine, these filet mignon bites are dressed to impress.
With the holiday season in full effect, I’ve been thinking of more ways to pair appetizers with wine – besides the typical cheese platter. I wanted to do something fancy enough to match with a Christmas Cocktail Party or a New Year’s Eve Bash. And, it doesn’t get much more fancy than filet mignon.
These bites of deliciously tender steak are wrapped in bacon… Because: 
1. The bacon helps to keep the filet extra moist.
2. It adds a bit of smoky flavor to the filet.
3. Everything is better with bacon.
But, let’s not forget about the finishing touch – The creamy horseradish sauce. Think of this sauce as the star on top of the Christmas tree or the champagne toast at midnight. It’s the finishing and expected touch – Tangy, spicy horseradish, combined with creamy greek yogurt, a bit of breadcrumbs to thicken things up a bit, and some unsweetened applesauce to add an extra layer and a hint of sweetness to the mix. It’s a star of this dish – Outshined only by the smoky bacon and tender filet mignon. But those two things can really outshine anything, right?
And then comes the wine. When we’re hosting company, I like to offer at least a couple of wine pairing options. First, because not everyone has the same taste in wine. Second, because it’s fun to taste a couple different wines with the food, to see how each can compliment the food differently.
I chose two different Pinot Noirs from Sonoma-Cutrer to pair with these Filet Mignon Bites – A Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and a Vine Hill Pinot Noir.
The Russian River Valley Pinot Noir leaned on the more savory side, with hints of tobacco, baking spicy and blackberry. Its flavors were amazing with the smoky bacon. On the other hand, the Vine Hill Pinot Noir had a bright acidity, and hints of cherry, cola and vanilla. This wine almost seemed like the more feminine of the two and I thought it balanced the delicate filet nicely.
Which wine do you think you’d prefer with these Filet Mignon Bites?
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Filet Mignon Bites with Horseradish Sauce and Sonoma-Cutrer Wine
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Bacon-wrapped filet mignon bites are elegant yet easy. Creamy horseradish sauce adds a delightful zing.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (454 g) beef tenderloin
- 1/2 lb thin-sliced bacon
- Salt
- Pepper
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 oz (57 g) greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (224°C).
- Pat the tenderloin dry and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- Cut each strip of bacon in half and wrap it around a steak cube. Secure with a toothpick.
- Season each side of the steak with salt and pepper.
- Spray a grill pan or grill with cooking spray and warm to medium-high heat.
- Sear the steak cubes for 1-2 minutes on each side.
- Place the steak cubes on a baking sheet with the bacon side down.
- Bake for 2-3 minutes, flip, and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, until cooked to your liking.
- Brush with Worcestershire sauce.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
- Combine the Greek yogurt, horseradish, breadcrumbs, and applesauce in a medium bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For perfectly cooked bites, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches your desired doneness.
- Substitute Dijon mustard for some of the horseradish in the sauce for a different flavor profile.
- Store leftover bites and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 bites
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 80
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of wine pairs best with the filet mignon bites?
Sonoma-Cutrer wine is recommended as it complements the rich flavors of the bacon-wrapped filet mignon.
How do I make the horseradish sauce creamy?
The creamy horseradish sauce is made with Greek yogurt, which adds a smooth texture, along with breadcrumbs and unsweetened applesauce for thickness and sweetness.
Why is bacon used in this recipe for filet mignon bites?
Bacon is used to keep the filet mignon moist and adds a smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
