How Long To Cook Beef Pinwheels In The Oven For Perfectly Tender Results

Beef pinwheels are an impressive and delicious entrée to serve for dinner parties or special occasions. These tasty bites consist of thin slices of beef rolled up around flavorful fillings like cheese, vegetables, and herbs. Not only do they look beautiful on the plate, but they’re also simple to make. However, knowing how long to cook beef pinwheels to achieve the perfect tenderness can be tricky.

Follow this guide to get expert tips on oven cooking times and temperatures for flawlessly cooked beef pinwheels every time.

What Are Beef Pinwheels?

Beef pinwheels are made by pounding beef steaks thin, layering on savory fillings, then rolling the meat up into spirals. Flank, skirt, or top sirloin steak are commonly used. The thin slices of beef roll up around the filling neatly and hold their shape well.

Some popular fillings for beef pinwheels include:

• Spinach and feta
• Sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella
• Mushrooms and Swiss cheese
• Caramelized onions and blue cheese
• Roasted red peppers and goat cheese

Once rolled up and secured, the beef pinwheels are seared to add flavor. Then they go into the oven until cooked through. Sliced into rounds, these beef rolls make for a stunning presentation.

Choosing the Right Cut of Beef

The cut of beef you choose is important, as you want meat that is sliceable when raw but still tender when cooked. The top picks are:

Flank steak: Very thin and flat with good marbling. Slices beautifully when partially frozen.

Skirt steak: Thinly cut steak with excellent flavor. Needs to be pounded thin.

Top sirloin: Affordable option that is lean yet tender when cooked right. Must be thinly sliced.

Always select beef labeled “choice” or “select” for the most tender pinwheels. Have the butcher thinly slice the meat or do it yourself after partially freezing. Cut against the grain into long pieces around 1/4 inch thick.

Preparing the Beef Pinwheels

Proper prep is key for beef that rolls up easily and cooks evenly. Follow these tips:

• Place beef steaks in the freezer for 30 minutes until firm but not completely frozen. This makes slicing easier.

• Slice beef into 1/4 inch thick rectangular pieces. Cut with the grain for simple rolling.

• Pound slices lightly with a meat mallet to an even 1/8 inch thickness.

• Season beef all over with salt and pepper before adding fillings.

• Spread filling across the surface, leaving a 1/2 inch border to prevent leakage.

• Roll up lengthwise and secure at 1-inch intervals with toothpicks or kitchen twine.

• Chill rolled beef pinwheels 30 minutes to help hold shape during cooking.

How to Cook Beef Pinwheels in the Oven

The oven is the ideal cooking method for beef pinwheels, as it surrounds the meat with gentle, consistent heat. This allows the inside to become perfectly tender while the outside gets crispy.

Cook at a high temperature. Preheat your oven to 375°F-400°F. The high heat helps develop a flavorful, browned exterior on the beef.

Use a baking sheet. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Place pinwheels seam side down so the filling doesn’t leak out.

Don’t overcrowd. Leave at least 1 inch between pinwheels on the sheet so air can flow around each one. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of proper browning.

Cook uncovered. Baking uncovered allows moisture to evaporate and the exterior to crisp up nicely. Tenting with foil makes for soggy, steamed beef.

Flip once. About halfway through baking, flip each pinwheel over using tongs. This ensures even browning on both sides.

Use a meat thermometer. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a pinwheel to check for doneness. It should reach 145°F for medium-rare.

Let rest before slicing. Once cooked, transfer pinwheels to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes so juices redistribute. Then slice into rounds and serve.

How Long to Cook Beef Pinwheels

Beef pinwheel cooking time can range quite a bit based on the thickness of the beef, oven temperature, and desired doneness.

Here are general guidelines for how long to bake beef pinwheels:

Medium-rare (145°F):

• 1/4 inch thick pinwheels: 12-15 minutes
• 1/2 inch thick pinwheels: 18-22 minutes

Medium (160°F):

• 1/4 inch thick pinwheels: 15-18 minutes
• 1/2 inch thick pinwheels: 22-26 minutes

To ensure your beef pinwheels turn out perfectly cooked, always rely on an instant-read thermometer over cook times. Ovens can vary, so checking temperature is the only foolproof way to know when they’re done.

Tips for Perfectly Baked Beef Pinwheels

Follow these extra tips to ensure your beef pinwheels have that ideal crunchy exterior, tender and juicy interior, and melted filling every time.

• Pat beef dry before seasoning and filling for better browning.

• Brush pinwheels lightly with oil or melted butter before baking.

• Use toothpicks or kitchen string to secure the rolls and prevent unrolling.

• Preheat the oven fully before baking so it’s nice and hot.

• Bake in the center of the oven so pinwheels cook evenly.

• Resist the urge to peek. Opening the oven door frequently cools it down.

• Don’t overbake or pinwheels will be tough. Use a thermometer.

• Allow pinwheels to rest before slicing into perfect rounds.

Fantastic Filling Ideas

While classic cheese and vegetable fillings pair wonderfully with beef, get creative with these tasty beef pinwheel filling recipe ideas too:

• Caramelized onions and mushrooms
• Bacon, potato, and cheddar
• Chili spiced beef with pepper jack
• Greek style with spinach, feta, and red onion
• Tex Mex with refried beans, salsa, and cilantro
• Italian style with sun-dried tomato pesto and mozzarella
• Thai peanut sauce and Asian veggies

Mix and match flavors to suit your tastes. Just keep the fillings thin so the beef rolls up neatly.

Serving Suggestions

These foolproof beef pinwheels deserve an equally impressive presentation:

• For appetizers, slice into 1-inch rounds and arrange on a platter.

• For dinner, fan 3-4 slices out on the plate and drizzle with sauce.

• Pair with roasted potatoes, risotto, or pasta for a complete meal.

• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives.

• Serve with chimichurri sauce, barbecue sauce, or peppercorn cream sauce for dipping.

• Top sliced pinwheels with extra shredded cheese for cheesy beefy bites.

Beef pinwheels truly have an elegant, appetizing look about them. But follow proper cooking techniques, and you’ll discover they’re surprisingly easy to master. Now that you know exactly how long to cook pinwheels in the oven, you can serve up these impressive appetizers or entrées with confidence. Enjoy!