Seared Filet Mignon Recipes

PERFECT FILET MIGNON RECIPE

Steps:

• Remove your filet mignon from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. (This will ensure even cooking.)
• Mash together half of the butter (1 tablespoon, 14 g), rosemary, thyme, and garlic. (Sprinkle in a little sea salt if using unsalted butter.) Form into a log and refrigerate until the last step.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
• Trim any connective tissue around the edges of the beef tenderloins. Season the filets liberally with sea salt and black pepper on both sides.
• Heat the cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, until the skillet is very hot. Melt the remaining butter (1 tablespoon, 14 g) in the skillet.
• Add the filets. Sear for 2 minutes on each side, without moving them around.
• Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake to desired level of doneness. (I recommend medium rare.) For a 2 in (5 cm)thick filet, that is 5 minutes for rare, 6 minutes for medium rare, 7 minutes for medium, or 8 minutes for medium well. Use a meat thermometer to check for the right temperature - 120 degrees F (52 degrees C) for rare, 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for medium rare, 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for medium, and 155 degrees F (68 degrees C) for medium well. The temperature will rise by another 5 degrees F while resting (see next step).
• Remove the filets from the oven and transfer to a plate. Top each with 1/2 tablespoon (7 g) of herb butter (slice the log of herb butter into four parts and put one on each steak). Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before cutting.

SEARED FILET MIGNON

Steps:

• Season the Filet Mignons with salt and pepper. Combine the butter and oil in a large saute pan over high heat. When the pan is hot and foam has subsided, add the beef. Sear for three minutes per side for rare. Transfer to a warm platter.

PAN ROASTED FILET MIGNON WITH GREEN PEPPERCORNS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the steaks generously with salt on both sides. Press the top and bottoms of the steaks into the peppercorns to crust on each side.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy saute pan or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the steaks and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Cook until the internal temperature is around 125 degrees F for medium-rare. Remove the steaks from the pan and allow them to rest.
• In the same pan the steaks were cooked in, add the shallots along with the remaining tablespoon oil and the green peppercorns and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the shallots are softened and lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, then add the brandy and return the heat to medium. Cook for 1 minute. Add the beef stock and cream, then reduce the liquid by half until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt as needed.
• Turn off the heat. Swirl in the butter and melt, stirring often. Return the steaks to the pan and coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with the parsley and a splash of red wine vinegar to balance the richness of the sauce. Place the steaks on a plate, then spoon the sauce over and serve.

THE PERFECT FILET MIGNON

Steps:

• Pat the steaks dry, then sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Firmly press the seasoning into the meat.
• Heat the oil in a medium stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes. Add the steaks and cook until a golden crust forms, about 2 minutes. Flip with tongs and cook until golden on the second side, about 2 minutes (see Cook's Note). Flip again and cook for 2 minutes. Flip once more and add 4 tablespoons of the butter and the thyme and garlic. Let cook, undisturbed, until the butter stops foaming, 1 to 2 minutes. Tilt the pan slightly so the butter pools and spoon it over the steaks. Continue to cook the steaks, basting constantly, until they are medium rare and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 118 degrees F, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer the steaks to a plate to rest. Discard the garlic, thyme and fat from the skillet, but do not wipe out the browned bits.
• Place the same skillet over medium heat and add the shallots and 1 tablespoon butter. Cook, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon, until softened, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the brandy. Return the skillet to the heat and continue to cook over medium until the skillet is dry, being careful as it may ignite, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until the liquid reduces by half, about 3 minutes. Add the beef stock and bring to a boil. Whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• To serve, slice the steak, spoon the sauce over the top and sprinkle with the chives.

REVERSE-SEAR FILET MIGNON (OR RIBEYE FILET)

Steps:

• Season the steak on both sides with the salt and place on a rack set inside a sheet pan for 10 minutes at room temperature while you preheat your oven.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Insert a probe thermometer horizontally through the side of the steak and roast the steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 120 degrees F, about 30 minutes (see Cook's Note). Remove the steak from the oven and rest uncovered for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place a 12-inch cast-iron pan over high heat until it reaches at least 600 degrees F, about 10 minutes. (You'll know you're close when a half teaspoon water dropped into the middle of the pan is completely evaporated in 5 seconds).
• Brush a very light coat of peanut oil onto both sides of the steak. Sear steak on each side for 1 minute.
• Rest the steak on a rack 5 minutes, and then slice diagonally against the grain to serve.

PAN-SEARED FILET MIGNON

Steps:

• Sprinkle fillets with salt and pepper on both sides. Rub seasoning into meat with your fingers.
• Melt butter with olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add filets and cook 5-7 minutes on each side.
• Remove from heat, cover filets with foil and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.