Cooking a filet mignon correctly may seem simple but it is not always easy. What we are looking for is a beautifully caramelized steak that is tender and delicious. In this post I have put together a quick video on how to cook a filet mignon to medium rare. I use a simple method that is tried and tested and yields a great result every time. I will be showing you how to caramelize the outside of your steak while maintaining a perfectly cooked center. I am also going to show you how to infuse flavor by using a simple beurre noisette.
What is the difference between a filet mignon and a tenderloin?
Filet mignon is a french term which means “cute filet” and refers to the medallion shaped cut of beef that comes from the tenderloin. The tenderloin is the long thin muscle located within the loins of an animal which is popular for its tenderness. Approximately 18 – 25% of the tenderloin consists of fat which also makes it a very lean cut of meat.
How to cook a filet mignon to medium rare.
- Preheat your oven to 320 °F.
- Start off by seasoning the beef on both sides using salt and pepper. Pat in the excess as seen in the video.
- Preheat a frying pan on high heat. Once the pan is hot add oil and butter. While the butter melts add in a clove or two of garlic and some herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage or oregano. The herbs are optional depending on your preference. In this example I used rosemary and sage plucked straight out of my herb planter.
- Once the butter has turned golden brown (beurre noisette) place the butt of the steak on the frying pan. Leave it to sear for 45 seconds to a minute or until caramelized as seen in the video. This will depend on the heating capability of your cooking source as well as the quality of frying pan you are using.
- Turn the beaf over using a pair of tongs, move it around the pan to absorb some of the butter and let it sear for another 45 seconds. Baste the steak using a table spoon and keep doing this for the remainder of the 45 seconds. Remove the steak from the stove top.
- Place the seared steak into an oven friendly dish and cover it with tin foil then place it into the oven for 8 minutes. This time will vary depending on the size of meat you will be cooking.
- Once it is ready to come out of the oven, leave it to rest for approximately 6 minutes.
- Use a sharp knife to cleanly slice the steak. The center should be pink (not bloody or raw). Then the filet mignon is perfectly cooked to medium rare.
How long should I cook the filet mignon for?
This a very important question when it comes to cooking your steaks just right. This will depend on the temperature you prefer. The temperature refers to the “doneness” of the steak. A rare steak will be ready quicker then a well – done steak, you get my point. In the video above I showed you how to cook a filet mignon to medium rare but ultimately it comes down to personal preference.
The best way to check your steaks temperature is by using a cooking thermometer. Below is a simple table showing you the different internal temperatures commonly used when cooking a filet mignon.
| Doneness | Internal temperature |
| Rare | 125 – 130 °F |
| Medium Rare | 130 – 140 °F |
| Medium | 140 – 150 °F |
| Medium Well | 150 – 160 °F |
| Well Done | 160 – 20 °F |
There are many ways you can go about cooking a filet mignon but the method in this post is tried and tested and very simple. It may take a couple of tries to perfect but once you get it, you wont forget it. With experience you will begin to cook your meat perfectly simply by touch, taste and smell. In the beginning stages I highly suggest using a cooking thermometer to get the temperature you are looking for. Practice searing the steak and getting the correct color. Practice infusing flavor by adding different herbs and spices to the beurre noisette. Soon you will be cooking filet mignons like a professional.
What should I serve with a filet mignon?
- Sauce – There are a multitude of different sauces for filet mignon but to name a few you could use a red wine sauce, cheese sauce, creamy mushroom sauce. If you want something lighter and more refreshing, try out our chimichurri recipe.
- Rice – Coupling the steak with rice is simple. For those who are looking for a healthy lean meal use brown rice.
- Potato – Another carbohydrate option is a delicious oven baked potato. Add this to your meal with a dollop of sour cream for wholesome heart dish. If baked potato is not your thing then whip up a potato salad. How about mash potatoes? This spud is very versatile and any of the examples I have given will go well with a filet mignon.
- Vegetables – Don’t forget the veggies. Add greens such as broccoli, brussels sprouts or green beans. You could use root vegetables like carrots or beats. Some pan fried cauliflower would also be delicious. Again the options are endless.