Filet mignon is the most exclusive and pricey of the meat variants. Given that you can only get a small fraction of the animal, it’s quite costly.
Filet is a French phrase for tenderloin fillet, which is a cut from the smaller end of the tenderloin.
Filet mignon
Mignon is a French term that signifies cute or dainty, while a filet is a boneless cut of meat or fish. As a result, a filet mignon is a “dainty filet.”
The tenderloin, located in the middle of the animal’s back, is used to make a filet mignon. The tendons in this location do not toughen since the muscles are not overworked—which is why a tenderloin is so tender.
Filet mignon is made from the tail end of the tenderloin, which is usually just 1 to 2 inches in diameter. However, beef filet mignon and beef tenderloin steaks carved from other tenderloin portions can be used interchangeably.
Both are typically 1 to 2 inches thick, with beef tenderloin steaks having a greater circumference of about 2 to 3 inches.
It’s worth noting that what you gain in tenderness comes at the expense of flavor. The meaty flavor of these cuts is diminished by the lack of marbling, fat, and bone.
Tenderloin steaks are frequently served with sauces, garnishes, or pan juices. Steakhouses frequently serve beef tenderloin steaks wrapped with bacon to keep them moist and enhance beefy flavor during cooking.
We know you only cook filet mignon on special occasions and holidays because of its higher price tag, but now that you know how to prepare it in so many various ways, you’ll see how easy it is to prepare even if you don’t have a lot of time to cook.
Because of its softer flavor and excellent texture, filet mignon is a highly sought-after delicacy worldwide. You can cook the filet mignon in various ways, including frying or roasting.
You may also cook it on the stove or the barbecue. Bacon can be wrapped around it if desired. The options are limitless.
How long should filet mignon be grilled?
Cooking takes patience and time. And when it comes to a delicacy like a filet mignon, the cooking must be done properly to avoid serving burnt filet mignon.
Not only does cooking take time, but sometimes preparing the meal for ultimate cooking also takes time.
Several factors can affect the time it takes to cook a filet mignon.
The way you cook it, whether you’re going to grill it, roast it, or fry it, is one of the aspects to consider. Grilling filet mignon, on the other hand, is the most popular method since it increases the flavor.
Cooking a filet mignon takes anywhere from 14 to 20 minutes.
This time frame varies, even more depending on how grilled you want your filet mignon to be. That is, whether you prefer it medium-rare, medium-well, or well-done.
All of these options will push the grilling time up to 20 minutes. Also, if the filet mignon is thickly cut, it will take longer to cook. So, to properly prepare or grill it, you’ll need to cook it for at least 14 minutes.
| Doneness | Temperature | Duration |
| Very rare or rare | 120° F to 125° F | 4 minutes per side |
| Medium rare | 125° F to 130° F | 5 minutes per side |
| Medium | 135° F to 140° F | 6-7 minutes per side |
| Medium well | 145° F to 150° F | 8 minutes per side |
| Well done | 150° F and up | 10 minutes per side |
Why does grilling filet mignon take so long?
Because it is a costly cut of meat, it is critical to cook it properly to get the most bang for your buck. If you choose to grill it, keep in mind that it can take a long time to cook.
If you’re wondering why the Filet Mignon takes so long to grill, consider the following:
- The temperature at which filet mignon is grilled is a crucial element in why it takes so long to cook. The greater the temperature, the faster it will be grilled, and the lower the temperature, the longer it will take.
- Another consideration is thickness. Many prefer thick-cut pieces since the texture is superior and the filet mignon is cooked to perfection. However, the thicker the filet mignon, the longer it will take to grill it, and vice versa.
- Then there are other considerations, such as preparation time. Preparation, such as marination and grill pre-heating, also plays a significant impact in determining how long the filet mignon will take to grill.
- Now, while the temperature is an important consideration, it is also important to remember that the temperature at which you will grill relies on your personal preferences. If a person prefers their filet mignon medium rare, the grilling time will be shorter than if they want medium or well done. Grilling a well-done filet mignon takes the most time. It’s to ensure that it’s completely cooked.
Is it necessary to season filet mignon?
When I grill, I prefer to season filet with a rub of finely chopped fresh rosemary and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Rub a small trickle of olive oil into the filet until it is equally coated on both sides.
If you prefer some more flavors, serve it with garlic and herb butter.
Seasoning filet mignon
Simple salt and pepper can be used to season filet mignon steaks, which I used in this recipe. Garlic powder can be mixed in with salt and pepper.
With filet mignon, homemade or store-bought steak spices work wonderfully.
This cut of beef is particularly excellent for marinating, allowing you to add more flavors to the meat. When a filet mignon is overcooked, it loses its flavor, which is why you should marinate it if you plan to cook it medium well or well done.
Season the outside of the steak with salt and pepper. Allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes with the seasoning on before grilling, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Which is better for filet mignon: a gas or a charcoal grill?
Because any sort of grill can do the job, the solution ultimately relies on your culinary preferences. For that smoky, southern BBQ flavor that some people enjoy, a charcoal grill is preferable.
On the other hand, a gas grill may be your best bet if you want a flavor that more closely approaches bacon’s smokiness.
Bacon, on the other hand, does wonder for the flavor of filet mignon. So, when it comes to grilling filet mignon, it’s probable that gas grills have a slight advantage.
However, don’t feel compelled to buy a new grill just to cook your filets. They’ll cook well on any grill if you know how to adjust the temperature and keep track of the cooking time.
Grilling temperature
Filets should be grilled over medium-high heat on the grill. On a gas grill, get the temperature to roughly 450 degrees Fahrenheit, or place the filets directly over medium coals on a charcoal grill.
This will give them a fantastic sear, similar to what you’d get from a pan sear, with the outside crisp and the inside soft and tender.
You’ll need indirect heat to keep the insides cooking. To accomplish this, move the filets away from the flames on the grill, enabling the smoke to penetrate the meat.
Indirect heat stops your meat from burning on the outside while it cooks on the inside.
Tips
You now know how to grill filet mignon to perfection. Still, here are a few more ideas that may be able to assist you in obtaining the ideal cook every time:
- Use filets at least two inches thick since they cook more evenly on the grill.
- Remember to lightly grease your grill racks with olive oil before pre-heating the grill and grilling your steak if food tends to adhere to them. Always clean your grill before using it by brushing the racks with a wire brush while it’s still hot.
- During the cooking process, keep an eye on the interior temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Remove them from the oven when they reach 125 degrees for a medium-rare cook.
- Allow the filets to rest for 5 to 10 minutes off the grill under a foil tent. This allows the meat’s juices to work their way back into it, making it softer.
- If you’re going to use sauce or butter on your filets, do it while they’re resting.
- Make bacon-wrapped filets or marinated filet mignon with dry red wine for added flavor—both are great for grilling or baking filet mignon!
- Try the reverse sear method instead of overcooking your filets on the grill if you’re afraid of overcooking them. To begin, grill your steaks on a low heat setting until they reach a temperature of 90 to 100 degrees. Then turn the heat up to high and sear the outside on all sides until a brown, crisp crust forms. Check each filet’s internal temperature to ensure it’s at the right temperature.
On the grill
- Make sure your steak is completely thawed before cooking.
- Allow the meat to come to room temperature. 30-40 minutes before grilling, remove your steak from the refrigerator.
- Season steaks to taste.
- On a charcoal grill, sear both sides of the steaks for 1-2 minutes over the hottest portion of the grill. Then switch to medium, ash-covered coals and cook. 1 minute before the midway mark, flip.
- Preheat a gas grill to high before cooking. Reduce to medium heat and continue to grill after searing both sides for 1-2 minutes. 1 minute before the midway mark, flip.
- Grill for 7-8 minutes for a 1-inch steak and 9-11 minutes for a 1.5-inch steak for the perfect medium-rare filet mignon, flipping about 1 minute before the halfway point. A meat thermometer should read 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cover your steaks lightly with foil and set aside for 5 minutes before serving. During this time, the temperature of the meat will rise by around 5 degrees Fahrenheit. This is called “carryover cooking.” The final temperature will be 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Resting steak is also vital because the heat of cooking draws the meat’s juices to the surface. If you slice into it just after it’s finished cooking, those delectable juices will end up on your plate rather than in your steak. Resting your steak will allow the liquids to soak back into and throughout the meat, keeping it moist and tasty.
Last words
Many factors come into play when grilling or cooking something, and this becomes the cause for the grilling taking such a lengthy period. Pre-heating the grill, for example, is one way to reduce cooking time.
You can use such alternatives to cook dishes like filet mignon in a short amount of time.
