Lindsey, do you know how to make perfect Fillet Mignon Steaks on a stove or pan seared filet mignon? This is one of the questions my readers ask a lot. Well, I´ve got you covered.
The best way to cook a filet mignon on the stove is to sear it first in a pan on the stovetop and then finish it by allowing it to cook more evenly in the oven. This will give you the desired gradient in texture but without the undesirable gradient in temperature.
In the rest of the article, we are going to look at a step-by-step guide for how to cook a filet mignon on the stove and learn about the equipment and ingredients you need, what to serve it with, how to store leftovers, and nutritional values.
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How to Cook Your Filet Mignon on the Stove
Filet mignons are one of the most luxurious steaks around, so it may seem daunting trying to cook one yourself.
Preparing the perfect filet mignon is not difficult, but it is very precise. You will have to get each part of the process just right and on time for the best result.
To make it easy for you, we have broken down the process into 4 larger steps with smaller steps within each of them.
If you follow all of these steps to the letter, you will have a filet mignon worthy of a high-class restaurant.
Step 1: The Prep
Take your filet mignon out of the fridge. You need to do this ahead of time for two reasons.
The first reason is that you will need to get the moisture off of it. Do this using a disposable paper towel by patting your steak with it until it is no longer wet.
This is important because the more moisture there is on the surface of the steak, the slower it will cook, throwing off your timings.
The second reason is that the steak will cook more evenly if it starts at room temperature. Have your steak out on a countertop for about half an hour before you begin cooking.
Prepare whatever seasoning you will use by rubbing it onto your steak. For a classic steak taste, we recommend some simple salt and pepper.
Set your oven to preheat at 450 degrees F.
Place a pan with oil over your stovetop and let it warm up on high heat until the oil begins moving.
Step 2: The Sear
Once the oil is ready, place your steak onto the pan and let it cook for about 2-and-a-half minutes.
Flip your steak over, add butter and whatever herbs you plan on using, and let it cook for another 2-and-a-half minutes.
The herbs are optional and down to taste, but a time honored classic is rosemary.
Step 3: The Even Cook
When your steak is seared, you will need to transfer it over to the oven, which should already be preheated.
If you were using an oven-safe pan, you can just move it over. If you are using a separate tray for your oven, use tongs to move your steak onto this tray.
Do not use a fork or anything else that will pierce the steak. Doing so will let the juices run out and rob you of much of the flavor.
Keep your filet mignon in the oven for 7 minutes for medium-rare.
Step 4: The Delivery
When your steak is done in the oven, take it out and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.
This last step is crucial since it will allow the juices to settle, meaning you will get a much more flavorful steak at the end of the process.
Once this is done, you are ready to serve.
What Do You Serve Filet Mignon With?
Many people and restaurants will serve the filet mignon on its own, adding only the seasonings or herbs that went on during the cooking process.
This is the classic way to serve filet mignon, but if you want something a little bit more filled out, you can try any of the below options.
Bearnaise sauce is very often paired with filet mignon. It can be a bit difficult to prepare, though, so this is one for the more experienced chefs among you.
For a hearty meal, you can serve your filet mignon with mashed potatoes and baked seasonal vegetables.
If you would prefer something lighter and more aromatic instead, a side of mushrooms does wonder to complement the tender steak.
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How Do You Store Filet Mignon Leftovers?
If you are storing your leftover filet mignon in the fridge, you will need to do it the right way so that when you reheat it down the line, it does not have a rubbery texture or a flat taste.
The key is not letting your steak dry out in the fridge.
To do this, the best option is to use a zippable bag or, if you do not have any handy, some foil that you can fold around your steak.
In both cases, once the steak is wrapped, you will need to squeeze out any air from between the steak and the inside of the bag.
Place your steak on the lowest shelf of your fridge just in case it ends up leaking, and it should be good to take out and reheat over the next half-week or so.
Ingredients for Filet Mignon on Stove
The filet mignon is one of the most tasty and valued cuts of beef. This is why it is also one of the most expensive.
What you get for this price is a steak that tastes incredible on its own and does not, in theory, need anything else to make it edible.
Nonetheless, a few extra ingredients can help to enhance the taste. Different people will have different preferences, so this is just one way to prepare your filet mignon.
For the steak itself, all of the cooking times in this article assume it is between 1 and 2 inches thick and beef, not to be confused with the pork variant of filet mignon.
You will also need oil for the searing. Sunflower or rapeseed oil are both good choices.
The following ingredients are all optional and can be used in any combination or all together:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter
- Garlic
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
Filet Mignon Nutrition Facts Per Serving
People disagree on whether a serving of filet mignon should be 3 oz or 6 oz. For the sake of the table below, we are assuming a serving size of 6 oz. The data is sourced from the USDA.
| Calories | 554 kcal |
| Protein | 45 g |
| Fat | 29 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Iron | 2.9 mg |
| Cholesterol | 164.8 mg |
| Potassium | 560 mg |
| Sodium | 91.8 mg |
Equipment and Cooking Time for Filet Mignon on Stove
To make this recipe, you will need a stove with both a stovetop and an oven to bake in. You will also need a pan to sear the steak with and a tray to place it in the oven.
If you have an oven-safe pan, you can use it for both the searing and the baking.
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The only cooking time you will modify from the instructions above is the time that the steak spends in the oven.
The searing times remain consistent regardless of what kind of steak you want. The 7 minutes in the oven that we learned was for medium-rare, so let’s have a look at the other options.
| Rare | 5 minutes |
| Medium-Rare | 7 minutes |
| Medium | 8 minutes |
| Medium-Well | 9 minutes |
| Well Done | 11 minutes |
Filet Mignon Recipe FAQs
Do I need to put the filet mignon in the oven as well?
For this recipe to work, yes. You can, of course, cook your steak in a pan only, but you will have to adjust the cooking times to get a result that is closer to evenly cooked.
Can I cook my filet mignon from frozen?
Yes, there are other recipes for cooking filet mignon from frozen, however, I recommend defrosting first instead for the best result.
Is filet mignon healthy?
Yes. Although you could not survive on filet mignon alone, this steak has a wide nutritional profile. It does contain some saturated fats, though, so be aware of this.
Fillet Mignon Recipe – How to make perfect Fillet Mignon Steaks >> Check out the video below:
Conclusion
We have learned today how to cook a filet mignon on stove by looking at a step by step guide to getting the perfect steak by searing it first and finishing it off in the oven.
References
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23515113/how-to-cook-filet-mignon/