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    Home » How To

    Perfect Filet Mignon: How to Make a Happy Wife

    Published June 12, 2019. Last modified January 22, 2020 By Gary White

    1.1K shares
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    Perfect filet mignon image for Pinterest.

    Cooking steak can be a little intimidating. But with this tried-and-true formula, you'll cook perfect filet mignon from now on! Both seasoned to perfection and melt-in-your-mouth tender.

    Two filet mignons in cast iron skillet.

    How to Make a Happy Wife

    It's true what they say: happy wife, happy life. I am so blessed with both! And one thing that keeps my wife smiling is an occasional perfect filet mignon for dinner. When we first got married, almost four years ago, she was a well-done kinda girl. But I'm happy to report that she has seen the light! She now knows the beauty and perfection of medium rare. I feel so accomplished.

    A Cheaper Way to Date Night

    Man, I really love going out to eat. But since we started having kids, our date nights look a lot different. By the time we pay for a babysitter, order two meals and a couple drinks, we're looking at $200 easily. Well, it's a good thing I like to cook! And that I'm pretty decent at it. It also helps that our kids are usually in bed by 7pm every night. That's plenty of time to enjoy a great filet, mushroom risotto, and a bottle of Pinot Noir.

    Two filet mignons in cast iron skillet.

    HOW TO MAKE A PERFECT FILET MIGNON

     

    Two uncooked filets on white cutting board, seasoned with salt and pepper.

    Remove filets from refrigerator at least 20 minutes before cooking. Once near room temperature, season well on all sides with salt and pepper.

    Cast iron skillet on stovetop.
    Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Once it begins to smoke a little, add oil. Then swirl around pan for about 15 seconds.

    Two filets in cast iron skillet, seared on both sides.

    Add filets to screaming hot pan and sear on all sides (top, bottom, and all around sides), 2-3 minutes each side.

    Two filet mignons in cast iron skillet with garlic, thyme, and rosemary.

    When searing the final side, add butter, thyme, rosemary, and garlic to pan.

    Basting filets with butter in cast iron skillet.

    Baste steaks constantly for the last 2-3 minutes.

    Filets in cast iron skillet in oven.

    Transfer skillet to oven. Cook times - rare: 5 minutes; medium rare: 6 minutes; medium: 7 minutes; anything else: just don't. Halfway through cook time, turn steak for even cooking.

    Two filets resting on plate.

    Remove skillet from oven and transfer filet to plate to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.

    And this is the AMAZING result...

    Two filet mignons on wood cutting board, sliced to show medium rare temperature.

    More Ideas for Impressive Dinners at Home

    • Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
    • Pressure Cooker Lamb Shanks - With Gordon Ramsay Style!
    • Ratatouille Frittata

    ★ Did you make this Perfect Filet Mignon? Please give it a star rating below! ★

     

    Two filet mignons in cast iron skillet.

    Perfect Filet Mignon

    The perfect method for filet mignon. Nail it every time!
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 433kcal
    Author: Gary White

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz. center cut filet mignon 8 oz. each
    • 2 Tbsp. grape seed oil
    • 1 rosemary sprig
    • 3 thyme sprigs
    • 3 cloves garlic smashed
    • 2 Tbsp. butter
    • course kosher salt
    • fresh cracked black pepper

    Instructions

    • Remove filets from refrigerator at least 20 minutes before cooking. Once near room temperature, season well on all sides with salt and pepper.
    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
    • Heat skillet over high heat. Once it begins to smoke a little, add oil. Then swirl around pan for about 15 seconds.
    • Add filets to screaming hot pan and sear on all sides (top, bottom, and all around sides), 2-3 minutes each side. When searing the final side, add butter, thyme, rosemary, and garlic to pan. Baste steaks constantly for the last 2-3 minutes.
    • Transfer skillet to oven. Cook times - rare: 5 minutes; medium rare: 6 minutes; medium: 7 minutes; anything else: just don't. Halfway through cook time, turn steak for even cooking.
    • Remove skillet from oven and transfer filet to plate to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 433kcal | Protein: 20g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 353mg | Vitamin A: 220IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 2.8mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Matthew

      November 07, 2017 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      What happens if your wife is Vegan? Does that mean I get double portions? Suggestions?

      Reply
    2. vivster

      September 11, 2018 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      This was awesome

      Reply
    3. Lancerlady

      February 16, 2019 at 9:20 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you! I the wife made this for my husband and it was awesome!

      Reply
      • Gary

        February 17, 2019 at 2:04 pm

        Happy to help!

        Reply
    4. Samantha

      May 23, 2019 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      Love it!

      Reply
    5. Lisa

      July 26, 2019 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      Def the best steak I’ve ever made. Thanks, Gary!

      Reply
    6. Tony Hollifield

      September 19, 2019 at 7:46 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this in a 200 year old family cast iron. I only tweaked the recipe for fats.
      I rubbed the filets with truffle oil after completely drying the surface of the meat.
      Then seasoned the outside of the meat on all sides. Coarse Salt, Pepper, and granulated garlic.
      I used duck fat in the place of the oil.
      I also used fresh rosemary from my garden.
      This is the absolute best filet I have ever made or eaten.

      Thank you for sharing your recipe with us!!

      Reply
    7. Melissa Fraum

      September 30, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      5 stars
      The best steak I’ve ever made at home - Hands down!

      Reply
    8. Julie

      February 14, 2021 at 10:33 am

      5 stars
      WE LOVED THESE FILETS!! I bought Prime Filets from Costco for Valentines Day and these were SUCH a delight!!! Mine stayed in (my 22-year-old) the oven for a total of 10 minutes for medium rare. I usually BBQ my steaks, but I'm a cast-iron-cooker from here on! We also ATE the rosemary and thyme sprigs, and the "goo" left in the pan went into the freezer for future gravy. YUM!

      Reply
    9. Pete

      March 20, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      Searing time is way too long

      Reply
    10. Kaylan

      March 19, 2022 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      Found this recipe for our anniversary dinner and it came out incredible!

      Reply
      • Gary White

        March 20, 2022 at 7:39 pm

        Happy anniversary!

        Reply
    11. Laura

      February 14, 2023 at 11:21 pm

      5 stars
      This is the BEST steak I’ve ever cooked. I made it tonight for our Valentine’s Day dinner date night at home (once we put the kids to bed). I’ve made this several times and it is the only way I will cook my filets now. I’ve got the timing down and they come out perfect. Juicy, flavorful, perfect texture, just all around delicious. My husband asks for this frequently and it is better than going out to a restaurant. Tonight we had it with asparagus and sweet potato fries!!!

      Reply
    5 from 16 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Meet Gary:

    I believe that food is meant to be enjoyed! Whether creating a simple recipe or taking the time to cook a recipe that's more involved, this is my goal: Creating delicious food that everyone can enjoy. Read more about me...

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