Gordon Ramsay Filet Mignon Recipe - TheFoodXP (2024)

FAQs

How do top chefs cook filet mignon? ›

for Filet Mignon

Sear on high heat for 2 minutes on one side, then turn and move to indirect heat. Turn them 1 minute before the halfway point of the cooking time. For perfect doneness, we recommend you use a meat thermometer and use the Measuring Doneness chart below.

Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a 12-inch cast iron pan until it begins to shimmer. Put the steaks in the pan, rub-side down and cook until a crust forms, about 3 minutes. Turn the steaks over, lower heat a bit and continue cooking until medium-rare doneness, about 4 minutes longer.

Filet Mignon is always a favorite steak choice, prized for its tenderness and flavor. The best way to cook Filet Mignon is on the grill, but pan-seared Filet Mignon is also excellent. You can also broil Filet Mignon in the oven for an exceptional flavor.

Use olive oil and butter to cook your Filet Mignon. Olive oil is best for holding up while cooking, the butter is used for basting. Add garlic cloves, cracked open but skin on, and a whole sprig of rosemary to your pan to flavor the butter. To "baste" the Filet Mignon, add the butter to the hot pan.

The best method for how to cook filet mignon is quickly with direct heat. Opt for cooking methods such as broiling, grilling, and pan-frying. Long, slow cooking (or any overcooking) will dry out this cut of steak, robbing it of its flavor and tenderness.

When deciding how to season Filet Mignon, salt and pepper are all you really need for this cut of beef. But beyond that, it's a matter of personal preference. Fresh rosemary and cracked black pepper are a popular flavor combination for this steak, as are garlic-based mixtures and those that feature thyme and marjoram.

Broiling steak gives it a quick sear that baking does not. However, if cooking past medium-rare, broiling could crisp the outside of filet mignon too much while not cooking the inside enough.

Filet Mignon Temperature Tip: Aim for an internal temperature of 130-135ºF, after resting, for medium-rare. Remember, there isn't much fat in the lean filet. Higher heat quickly denatures the protein strands, making them tough and chewy.

If you want a juicy steak that's not overcooked, be sure to use a reliable meat thermometer, removing the steak from the grill when it reaches 125-130 degrees for medium rare.

Internal juices constrict during the cooking process, and resting meat allows its juices to reabsorb and redistribute. Cutting it too soon will cause its juice to pool out and yield a dry cut of meat.

What makes filet mignon so tender? ›

Because the short loin is tucked under the cow's ribs and next to the cow's backbone, the musculature bears little weight and contains minimal connective tissue, keeping the meat beautifully soft and tender. Filet is prized for its wonderful mouth texture — it practically melts — and delicate yet beefy flavor.

Filet mignon is one exception to the full-of-flavor rule. It's not as beefy as other cuts, but it's one of the most tender cuts there is. Therefore, a marinade isn't the best option. However, it can benefit from an au jus or an herb butter placed on top after cooking for just the right amount of flavor.

Place a cast iron skillet over direct heat, and heat up some olive oil. Give both sides a light coat of SPG rub. Throw the steak on the cast iron, and let the steak sizzle for about 1 minute, then flip. Keep flipping every minute.

But the reality is that flipping a steak repeatedly during cooking—as often as every 30 seconds or so—will produce a crust that is just as good (provided you start with meat with a good, dry surface, as you always should), give you a more evenly cooked interior, and cook in about 30% less time to boot!