Bacon Wrapped Steak Bites: The Ultimate Campfire & Grill Recipe

There’s something undeniably satisfying about cooking over an open flame. The crackling fire, the smoky aroma, and the anticipation of a delicious meal – it’s a primal experience that connects us to our ancestors. And when you combine that experience with the irresistible flavors of perfectly cooked steak and crispy bacon, you’ve got a recipe for pure culinary bliss. Enter: Bacon Wrapped Steak Bites. These little morsels of meaty goodness are not only incredibly easy to make, but they’re also the perfect campfire and grilling food. They require minimal prep, cook quickly, and deliver a huge punch of flavor that will leave everyone wanting more.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create the perfect bacon-wrapped steak bites, whether you’re grilling them over a charcoal grill, cooking them over a campfire, or even baking them in your oven. We’ll cover ingredient selection, preparation techniques, cooking methods, and even offer some variations and serving suggestions to help you customize this recipe to your liking.

## Why Bacon Wrapped Steak Bites are Perfect for Camping and Grilling

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why these steak bites are such a fantastic choice for outdoor cooking:

* **Easy to Prepare:** The recipe is incredibly simple and requires minimal ingredients and effort. You can even prep the steak bites ahead of time and store them in a cooler, making them ideal for camping trips.
* **Quick Cooking Time:** Steak bites cook quickly, especially over the high heat of a grill or campfire. This means you won’t be stuck tending the fire for hours while everyone else is enjoying themselves.
* **Delicious Flavor Combination:** The combination of savory steak and salty bacon is a classic for a reason. The bacon not only adds flavor but also helps to keep the steak moist and tender during cooking.
* **Portion Control:** Steak bites are the perfect size for individual servings, making them easy to manage and distribute around the campfire.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize the recipe with different seasonings, marinades, or dipping sauces to suit your taste preferences.
* **Minimal Cleanup:** No need for complicated cookware or lots of dishes. With proper setup, cleaning is fast and easy.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make bacon-wrapped steak bites. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on the number of people you’re serving.

* **Steak:** 1.5-2 pounds of steak, cut into 1-inch cubes. The best cuts for this recipe are sirloin, ribeye, or New York strip. These cuts are flavorful and tender enough to hold up well to grilling or campfire cooking. If you’re on a budget, you can also use chuck steak, but you may want to marinate it for a few hours to tenderize it. Avoid tough cuts like flank steak or skirt steak, as they can become chewy when cooked into small bites.
* **Bacon:** 1 pound of bacon, cut in half or thirds. Choose a good quality bacon that’s not too thin or too thick. Thin bacon will cook too quickly and become brittle, while thick bacon may not cook through completely by the time the steak is done. Center-cut bacon is a good option, as it has a good balance of fat and meat.
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons. Olive oil helps to prevent the steak from sticking to the grill or skillet and also adds a bit of flavor.
* **Garlic Powder:** 1 teaspoon. Garlic powder adds a savory note to the steak bites.
* **Onion Powder:** 1 teaspoon. Onion powder complements the garlic powder and adds another layer of flavor.
* **Smoked Paprika:** 1 teaspoon. Smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor that’s perfect for grilling or campfire cooking.
* **Salt:** 1 teaspoon (or to taste).
* **Black Pepper:** 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste).
* **Optional Marinade Ingredients:** See section below for marinade suggestions.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Cutting Board:** For preparing the steak and bacon.
* **Sharp Knife:** For cutting the steak and bacon.
* **Mixing Bowl:** For tossing the steak with seasonings.
* **Grill or Campfire Cooking Grate:** For cooking the steak bites.
* **Tongs:** For turning the steak bites.
* **Meat Thermometer (Optional):** To ensure the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
* **Skewers (Optional):** For easier handling and cooking, especially over a campfire. Use metal skewers for grilling and soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using them over the campfire to prevent them from burning.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make bacon-wrapped steak bites, step-by-step:

**Step 1: Prepare the Steak**

* Remove the steak from the refrigerator and pat it dry with paper towels. This will help it to sear properly.
* Cut the steak into 1-inch cubes. Try to cut the cubes as evenly as possible so they cook at the same rate.
* Place the steak cubes in a mixing bowl.

**Step 2: Season the Steak**

* Drizzle the steak cubes with olive oil.
* Add the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
* Toss the steak cubes to coat them evenly with the seasonings.

**Step 3: Wrap the Steak with Bacon**

* Cut the bacon strips in half or thirds, depending on the length of the strips.
* Wrap each steak cube with a piece of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if necessary. Make sure the bacon is wrapped tightly around the steak to prevent it from falling off during cooking.

**Step 4: Cook the Steak Bites**

There are three main ways to cook these delicious morsels, each with its own nuances:

**Method 1: Grilling**

* Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375-450°F or 190-230°C).
* Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
* Place the bacon-wrapped steak bites on the grill grates.
* Grill for 8-12 minutes, turning frequently, until the bacon is crispy and the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F (54-57°C); for medium, aim for 135-145°F (57-63°C); and for medium-well, aim for 145-155°F (63-68°C).

**Method 2: Campfire Cooking**

* Build a campfire and let it burn down to hot coals. You want a steady, even heat for cooking.
* Place a cooking grate over the coals. Make sure the grate is stable and secure.
* Thread the bacon-wrapped steak bites onto skewers.
* Place the skewers on the cooking grate.
* Cook for 10-15 minutes, turning frequently, until the bacon is crispy and the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness. Be careful to avoid flare-ups from the bacon fat dripping into the fire. If flare-ups occur, move the skewers to a cooler part of the grate.

**Method 3: Baking (Oven)**

* Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
* Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
* Place the bacon-wrapped steak bites on the baking sheet.
* Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness. You may need to broil the steak bites for the last few minutes to crisp up the bacon.

**Step 5: Let Rest and Serve**

* Remove the bacon-wrapped steak bites from the grill, campfire, or oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the steak, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bite.
* Remove the toothpicks (if used) before serving.
* Serve the steak bites immediately.

## Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Steak Bites

* **Choose the Right Cut of Steak:** As mentioned earlier, sirloin, ribeye, or New York strip are the best choices for this recipe. They are flavorful and tender enough to hold up well to grilling or campfire cooking.
* **Don’t Overcook the Steak:** Steak bites cook quickly, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them and avoid overcooking them. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
* **Use Good Quality Bacon:** The bacon is a key component of this recipe, so it’s important to use good quality bacon that’s not too thin or too thick. Center-cut bacon is a good option.
* **Wrap the Bacon Tightly:** Make sure the bacon is wrapped tightly around the steak to prevent it from falling off during cooking. Secure it with a toothpick if necessary.
* **Don’t Crowd the Grill or Pan:** If you’re grilling or pan-frying the steak bites, don’t overcrowd the grill or pan. This will lower the temperature and prevent the steak from searing properly. Cook the steak bites in batches if necessary.
* **Let the Steak Rest:** Letting the steak rest for a few minutes before serving allows the juices to redistribute throughout the steak, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bite.

## Marinade Suggestions (Optional)

While these steak bites are delicious with just a simple seasoning rub, you can also marinate them for extra flavor and tenderness. Here are a few marinade suggestions:

* **Garlic Herb Marinade:** Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
* **Teriyaki Marinade:** Combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger.
* **Spicy Chipotle Marinade:** Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon chipotle powder, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Marinate the steak cubes for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours, in the refrigerator before wrapping them with bacon.

## Serving Suggestions

These bacon-wrapped steak bites are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of dipping sauces and sides. Here are a few serving suggestions:

* **Dipping Sauces:** Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or horseradish sauce.
* **Sides:** Serve with grilled vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and zucchini. You can also serve them with a side of mashed potatoes, rice, or coleslaw.
* **Appetizers:** Serve as appetizers at your next party or gathering. They’re sure to be a hit!
* **Main Course:** Serve as a main course with a side salad and some crusty bread.
* **Skewers:** Serve on skewers for easy handling and eating.

## Variations

Here are a few variations you can try to customize this recipe to your liking:

* **Cheese-Stuffed Steak Bites:** Before wrapping the steak with bacon, stuff each cube with a small piece of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack.
* **Jalapeno-Wrapped Steak Bites:** Add a slice of jalapeno pepper to each steak bite before wrapping it with bacon for a spicy kick.
* **Mushroom-Stuffed Steak Bites:** Sauté some mushrooms with garlic and herbs, then stuff each steak bite with the mushroom mixture before wrapping it with bacon.
* **Sweet and Savory Steak Bites:** Brush the bacon-wrapped steak bites with a mixture of maple syrup and soy sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for a sweet and savory flavor.

## Storing Leftovers

Leftover bacon-wrapped steak bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave until heated through.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Nutritional information will vary depending on the ingredients used and the serving size. However, a rough estimate for 4oz (113g) serving (approximately 5-6 steak bites) is as follows:

* Calories: 350-450
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 2-5g

## Conclusion

Bacon-wrapped steak bites are the perfect campfire and grilling food. They’re easy to make, cook quickly, and deliver a huge punch of flavor. Whether you’re camping, tailgating, or just grilling in your backyard, these little morsels of meaty goodness are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the grill or campfire, and get ready to enjoy a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Enjoy!