How to Cook a Filet Mignon

Filet Mignon is one of those classic dishes made by searing in a saute pan and then baking in the oven until tender. It’s seasoned with garlic, cumin, and coriander that gives it a sizzling great steakhouse taste!

This filet mignon recipe will be absolutely delightful due to the mixture of garlic, coriander, cumin, and pepper. Cooking your filet mignon for dinner will only take a few minutes and be an easy dish to pair with other sides. Fill your plate and home with love through this dish.

I have been obsessed with this classic filet mignon recipe because it is straightforward to make for dinner (especially Valentine’s Day dinner!) It can easily be made into a healthy dish by adding a salad, green beans, or by adding some extra flavors through a side of cheesy potatoes.

Want to learn my favorite cheesy au gratin potato recipe? Learn how to make them here!

Best Way to Cook Filet Mignon

You can cook filet mignon a few ways, and it all depends on the texture you want. No matter what you decide, all of the methods listed below are excellent ways to make your filet mignon dish.

●     Oven: Baking a filet mignon is a great way to cook a steak in its own juices. The only real drawback here is that it doesn’t get as nice of a deep brown sear that cooking on the stovetop does.

●     Pan-Seared: It’s best to do in a stainless steel or iron skillet. However, because this cut of beef is so thick, it can take a long time before the center becomes cooked. Which is why I find it best to sear the steak on the stove, and then pop it in the oven.

●     Grilled: This is the best way to get those fine grill marks on each side of the meat. It also cooks the inside of the steak nicely so that you get the best of both worlds – the sear and the internal temperature of your liking.

What is Filet Mignon Cook Temperature?

Filet mignon is one of the dishes you can choose how well done something is. Some prefer this dish to be rare, and others prefer it to be well done. There are specific temperatures you should aim for to achieve the proper texture and flavor.

Using a meat thermometer to get the internal temperature is the easiest way at home if you have not been trained by touch.

Rare 125°F, bright red in the middle

Medium-Rare 135°F, brown on the outer edges, and pinkish red in the middle

Medium 145°F, light pink in the middle and crusty brown on the edges

Medium-Well 155°F, this may have a slight pink middle but will be very brown overall

Well-Done 165°F, brown on the inside and outside

How to Check Steak Doneness with Hand

Chefs in restaurants are trained to feel the steak with their fingers and can tell the doneness by how firm the steak is.

To get a feel for how the steaks should be at each temperature, use your index finger to feel the softer tissue between your thumb and the base of the palm on the other hand. This is what a raw steak feels like when pressed down.

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Rare Make the “okay” sign by putting your thumb and index finger together. Using the same index finger as your other hand, press the tissue again. This is what a rare steak will feel like when pressed.

Medium-Rare Still holding the “okay” sign, switch to your thumb and middle finger touching. This is what medium-rare steaks feel like.

Medium Bring your thumb and ring finger together. This is a perfect medium steak.

Well-Done Touch Your thumb and pinky together and press the same spot on that hand. This is what a well-done steak feels like.

What is Filet Mignon? Is it Healthy?

When you have filet mignon, you may be wondering what it is and if it’s healthy. Firstly, this is the cut from the small end of the tenderloin of a cow and it’s also called beef tenderloin. People generally love this cut because it has a rich, bold flavor that totally just melts in your mouth with each bite, but that also means it’s an expensive cut of beef.

It’s a tender but thick steak. This cut of meat is a great source of rich protein, it has loads of iron, and is packed full of vitamin B12. This can help promote the development of red blood cells and the maintenance of nerves.

How Long Will This Dish Take?

Prep Time: 3 Minutes

Cooking Time: 16 Minutes

Rest Time: 10 Minutes

Ingredients for Filet Mignon

• Filet Mignons (Beef Tenderloins)
• Minced Garlic
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Salt
• Black Pepper

How to Cook Filet Mignon in a Pan

Here are the exact steps you can take to make the best filet mignon dish!

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Combine garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper together in a shallow dish.
3. Rub the mixture on all sides of both filet mignons.
4. Bring a medium-sized skillet (oven-proof if you have one) to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive or canola oil to the pan.
5. Place filet mignons in the pan and do not move them for 2 minutes. Flip them, and cook an additional 2 minutes to get a nice sear on both sides.
6. Place the steaks in the oven for approximately 12 minutes (this time gets the temperature to medium-rare after resting.)
7. Allow steaks to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Looking for steak sauce?

This steak is absolutely delicious on its own, but if you’re a sauce lover try out this peppercorn sauce, cowboy butter sauce or this 5-minute steak sauce.

What to Serve with Filet Mignon

• Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Bacon, Mushrooms, and Green Beans
• Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Ultimate Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

Final Thoughts

This dish is easy to make and such a wonderful treat once in a while. Your belly will be growling while letting the filet mignon rest, but it is very important to let it sit for at least ten minutes.

It allows all of the juices to absorb to create a super flavorful bite. You will absolutely love the results of this recipe!

Recommended Recipes

• Air Fryer Steak and Chicken Kabobs
• Cast-Iron Skillet Flank Steak
• Grilled Marinated Flank Steak with Chimichurri
• Juicy Air Fryer Steak
• Steak, Potato, and Mushroom Foil Packs

Enjoy!