Description
This Perfect Filet Mignon recipe guides you to create a tender, flavorful steak with a rich garlic and rosemary butter finish. It combines a quick, high-heat sear to develop a crust with a gentle oven bake to reach your preferred doneness. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make it ideal for an elegant, restaurant-quality meal at home.
Ingredients
Steak
- 2 Filet Mignons (preferably 6-8 oz each)
- Salt & ground black pepper (to taste; season generously)
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola oil works well)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Prep: Remove the Filet Mignons from the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes prior to cooking to bring them to room temperature. Unwrap, season generously with salt and pepper, and let rest uncovered on a plate at room temperature. This step ensures even cooking and better searing.
- Sear: Preheat your oven to 360°F (182°C). Heat a medium cast iron skillet over high heat for 3 to 5 minutes until very hot. Carefully add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet, watching for splatters. Place the Filet Mignons in the skillet and sear for 2 to 3 minutes on each side (1 to 2 minutes per side for petite filets) until they develop a rich brown crust. Remove the skillet immediately from the heat once searing is complete.
- Finish: Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, peeled garlic cloves, and fresh rosemary sprigs to the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 2 to 8 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness. Use these guidelines based on steak thickness and internal temperature: 2 minutes for rare, 3–4 minutes for medium-rare, 5 minutes for medium, 6–7 minutes for medium-well, and 8 minutes for well-done. Remove the skillet when the internal temperature is about 5 to 10°F below your target doneness, as the meat will continue to cook while resting.
- Rest: Remove the steaks from the skillet and transfer them to a plate. Tent loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. Serve the filet mignons garnished with the garlic, rosemary, and butter from the skillet for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- For best results, allow steaks to come to room temperature before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Adjust baking time according to the thickness and size of your filet mignon: smaller or thinner filets require less time.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperatures: 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium, 150°F for medium-well, and 160°F for well done.
- Resting the steak after cooking is critical; skipping this step causes loss of juices and drier meat.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
