How to Cook Bacon Loin Steaks in the Oven for Maximum Flavor

Bacon loin steak, sometimes called Canadian bacon steak or back bacon steak, comes from the loin section of the pig. It is a very lean, tender, and flavorful cut of pork. While grilling or pan-frying are popular cooking methods for bacon steaks, the oven can yield delicious results as well.

Oven-cooking allows the fat to render slowly, keeping the bacon steak nice and moist while adding great bacon flavor to the meat. With the right recipe and cooking technique, bacon loin steaks come out of the oven juicy, tender and packed with smoky, salty, porky flavor

In this article, I’ll provide tips on choosing good bacon loin steaks, share my favorite seasonings and preparation steps, and give a simple oven-baking method to cook bacon steaks perfectly. Let’s get started!

Selecting High-Quality Bacon Loin Steaks

You want to start with high-quality, fresh bacon loin steaks, preferably about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Here are some things to look for when buying bacon steaks for cooking in the oven:

• Marbling: Some white marbling in the meat is good, as it keeps the steaks moist during cooking. Avoid bacon steaks with large chunks of hard fat, which don’t render well in the oven.

• Color: Look for steaks that are pink to deep red in color. Avoid any with brown or grey spots, which indicate oxidation.

• Smell Fresh bacon steak has a mild, meaty smell Strong odors mean the steak is past its prime

• Firmness: Press the steak lightly – it should feel firm to the touch, not mushy.

• Pack date: Try to get steaks with a recent pack date for maximum freshness and the best flavor.

Getting high-quality, fresh bacon loin steak is key for the best oven-cooked results.

Seasoning Ideas for Oven-Baked Bacon Steak

Bacon steak has inherently great flavor on its own. However, seasoning can take it to the next level. Here are some of my favorite ways to add flavor:

• Dry rub: Coat steaks evenly with a dry blend of spices and herbs before cooking. Black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes work well.

• Fresh herbs: Rub steaks with chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, or other hearty herbs. They’ll infuse the meat with flavor.

• Salt: Lightly salt the steaks to amplify the natural pork and bacon flavors. Kosher or sea salt is best.

• Spice blends: For more complex flavor, use bold steak-friendly blends like Montreal steak seasoning or smoked meat rub.

• Marinades: For extra-flavorful steaks, marinate for 1-2 hours in a wet blend of oil, spices, herbs, vinegar, Worcestershire, etc. before oven-baking.

Experiment with different seasoning combinations to discover your favorites! Apply them evenly over all surfaces of the steaks so flavor permeates the meat.

Preparing Bacon Steaks for Oven-Cooking

Properly preparing the steaks before they go in the oven is important for getting the best results:

• Pat dry – Blot steaks with paper towels to remove excess moisture on the exterior. This helps achieve a nice sear.

• Bring to room temp – Take steaks out of fridge and let sit for about 20 minutes before cooking. This reduces oven time and helps them cook evenly.

• Coat with oil – Lightly brush or rub steaks with a thin layer of oil (olive, avocado, etc.) to keep them moist during oven baking.

• Preheat oven – Make sure to preheat your oven fully before putting steaks in. I recommend preheating to 400-450°F for optimal baking.

• Use oven-safe pan – Bake steaks on a heavy, oven-safe pan like cast iron or stainless steel. Avoid glass baking dishes which may shatter.

With these prep steps done, the steaks are ready for oven cooking!

How to Cook Bacon Loin Steaks to Perfection in the Oven

Cooking bacon steak in the oven takes a little bit of technique, but it’s easy once you know how. Follow these steps for tender, juicy oven-baked bacon steaks every time:

• Sear the steaks – First, heat your oven-safe pan over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil is hot, add the steaks and sear for 2-3 minutes per side. This gives the steaks a nice brown crust.

• Finish in the oven – Once seared, transfer the pan to the preheated oven. For medium doneness, bake for 8-12 minutes depending on thickness. Thicker steaks take more time. I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check doneness, removing steaks from the oven when they reach 140°F. This carryover cooking will bring them up to 145°F for perfect medium.

• Rest before serving – When they come out of the oven, transfer steaks to a cutting board and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Letting them rest 5-10 minutes allows juices to redistribute evenly. Don’t skip this important step!

• Slice and serve – After resting, slice the steaks across the grain into strips or medallions. Pour over any pan juices for added flavor. Enjoy your tender, juicy oven-baked bacon steaks!

Cooking times will vary based on the thickness of your steaks and your desired doneness. Get an instant-read thermometer to eliminate the guesswork.

Top Tips for Oven-Baked Bacon Steak Success

Beyond the basic cooking method, here are some additional tips to ensure your bacon loin steaks turn out perfectly oven-baked:

• Bake at a high temp (400-450°F) to get a nice sear while keeping the interior moist.

• Flip steaks halfway during oven cooking to promote even baking on both sides.

• Add garlic, shallots, or onion to the pan for extra flavor that permeates the steaks.

• Brush steaks with oil or melted butter halfway through baking to keep them from drying out.

• Add fresh thyme, rosemary or oregano sprigs to the pan to infuse herb flavor.

• If pan smoking excessively, turn heat down slightly and/or tent steaks loosely with foil.

• Always let steaks rest after baking to allow juices to redistribute before cutting.

• Check for doneness 5 minutes early to avoid overcooking. Use a meat thermometer for best results.

Follow these oven bacon steak tips and tricks for exceptionally moist, tender and flavorful results every time.

Common Bacon Loin Steak Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to overcook steaks in the oven since you can’t see them as well as on the stovetop. Here are some common bacon steak mistakes to be mindful of:

• Overbaking – This dries out the meat, making it tough. Always err on the side of slightly underdone, and rely on a meat thermometer.

• Uneven cooking – Flipping the steaks halfway through prevents one side from overcooking.

• Skipping the sear – A good stovetop sear adds flavorful browning that the oven can’t achieve alone.

• Cooking straight from fridge – Letting steaks warm up to room temp first reduces overall oven time.

• Neglecting to rest – This causes juices to spill out when you cut the steak, making it dry. Always rest oven-cooked steaks before slicing.

• Cutting with the grain – Slicing against the grain shortens the meat fibers for tenderest results.

With good technique, you can avoid these pitfalls and turn out perfect oven bacon steaks every time.

Serving Suggestions for Oven-Baked Bacon Steaks

Bacon steak right from the oven is delicious on its own. But here are some tasty ways to serve it:

• Steak sauce – Serve with classic steak sauces like chimichurri, béarnaise, au poivre or red wine reduction for added flavor.

• Compound butter – Top steaks with gourmet compound butters made with herbs, garlic, bleu cheese or other ingredients.

• On salad – Slice and place oven-cooked bacon steaks on top of fresh green salads for a satisfying meal.

• With roasted veggies – Pair your bacon steaks with oven-roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli or other veggies.

• In sandwiches – For an amazing sandwich, pile sliced bacon steak onto ciabatta or pretzel rolls with toppings.

• With eggs – Chop up leftover bacon steak to make killer breakfast skillets with eggs and veggies.

The possibilities are endless! Oven-baked bacon loin steak is very versatile, so get creative.

Oven Bacon Steak Recipe Inspiration

My simple oven baking method will give you delicious bacon steaks. But here are a few recipe ideas if you want to get more adventurous with flavors:

• Bacon-Wrapped Steak – Wrap tenderloin steaks with bacon before oven baking for incredible flavor.

• Montreal Steak Seasoning – This blend of cracked pepper, herbs and spices is fantastic on oven bacon steaks.

• Coffee-Crusted Steak – For a mocha flavor, coat steaks with freshly ground coffee before oven baking.

• Steakhouse Steaks – Brushing steaks with butter several times during oven cooking gives a rich, steakhouse-quality finish.

• Red Wine Steak – Deglazing the pan with red wine adds delicious pan sauce for serving over the baked steaks.

Let these recipe ideas spark your creativity for making your oven bacon steaks truly unique!

The Takeaway on Cooking Bacon Loin Steaks in the Oven

While often overlooked, the oven can produce amazing results for cooking bacon loin steaks. With the right cut, seasoning, preparation, and baking technique, bacon steaks come out of the oven incredibly juicy, tender and packed with flavor.

What are your favorite seasonings or serving suggestions for oven-cooked bacon steak? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks in the comments below!