Description
Deer Tenderloin wraps tender meat in crispy bacon for a mouthwatering dinner that brings wild game to your table with rustic charm. Roasting this protein-packed dish delivers rich flavor that makes your family dinner feel like a special woodland feast.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 lbs deer tenderloin
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Oil:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to precisely 375°F and position the rack in the center of the oven.
- Thoroughly pat the 2 lbs deer tenderloin completely dry using paper towels to ensure perfect seasoning adherence.
- Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the entire tenderloin surface, massaging the oil to coat thoroughly.
- Sprinkle 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, and 1 tbsp chopped thyme across the meat, pressing the herbs gently into the surface.
- Season the tenderloin generously with salt and black pepper, covering all sides uniformly.
- Carefully wrap 12 bacon slices around the tenderloin, slightly overlapping each slice to create complete coverage.
- Secure each bacon strip with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during cooking.
- Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and sear the bacon-wrapped tenderloin for 2-3 minutes per side until bacon starts to crisp.
- Transfer the skillet directly into the preheated 375°F oven and roast for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium-rare.
- Remove from oven and let the tenderloin rest for exactly 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bacon to ensure it crisps nicely and covers the entire tenderloin without leaving gaps.
- Use fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to enhance the wild game’s natural flavor and complement the bacon’s richness.
- Allow the meat to come to room temperature before cooking to guarantee even heat distribution and a more consistent doneness.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer for precise results, as deer meat can quickly become tough if overcooked.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-36 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg