HOW LONG DO YOU COOK FILET MIGNON RECIPES

Steps:

• Perhaps the most common steak question I get is “How long should I cook Filet Mignon?”  The short, but likely inaccurate answer, is “about 10-12 minutes”. However, the real answer, is a bit more complicated. The question is not a simple one…nor does it have a simple answer. In reality, how long you should cook your filet mignon depends on a number of factors, many of which are unique to your preferences, your filet, and even to your specific kitchen, stove, grill, and pan. The reality is, each time you cook a filet, the cooking time could be materially different. Fortunately, if you learn the fundamentals that drive cooking time, if you practice (i.e. cook) a little bit, and if you use some of the simple tools of the trade, you’ll figure out how long to cook each filet thrown your way. Follow the advice below, and you’ll be well on your way! How Long do you Cook Filet Mignon Let’s start at the end. Most filet mignon lovers are looking for two things: A crispy golden brown outside that has a crunchy texture, and salty beefy flavor A tender, juicy center cooked to their preferred temperature – between rare and well done To get the crispy crust, it’s best to use direct heat (a hot pan or grill), and it’s easy to visually tell when you have that crust established. But, that same heat does a poor job of getting the filet’s center to the proper doneness. So, you’ll want to use in-direct heat (like an oven) to cook the filet through to where you want it.  And it’s impossible to visually tell how cooked the filet is on the inside. How do you want your Filet cooked? I like to cook filet mignon to medium rare…but I’m not going to judge you, if you want it cooked differently. However that is, it helps to know what internal temperature corresponds to what level of done-ness. So here you go: Rare Filet mignon: ~120 degrees Medium Rare: ~130 degrees Medium: ~140 degrees Medium Well: ~150 degrees Well Done: ~160 degrees So, now we know two things. First, we want to use direct heat to get a crisp crust on the outside. And second, we want to use indirect heat to bring the internal temperature up to the desired doneness. Time is the Critical Variable I like to start my filet mignon on a very hot pan or grill. About 3 minutes on each side to create that crust, without burning the steak. And that 3 minute time, is going to work whether the filet is thick or thin. However, once it’s seared, you vary the cooking time (with the indirect heat of an oven or closed grill) until the internal temp reaches the desired level.  A thin filet mignon, will likely have an internal temperature of 130 right after searing both sides. If you want it med-rare, you’d take it immediately off the heat. But a thick filet mignon will still be raw in the center, needed more time to reach medium-rare, and even longer to get to medium or well-done. The time will also vary depending on the temperature of your oven or grill. As a general rule, I plan on the internal temperature of the filet increasing about 10 degrees for every 3 – 4 minutes in the oven.  But, the safest, most accurate way to tell if you’re filet has cooked long enough is to use an instant read meat thermometer. And remember, once cooked, make sure to let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving!

Steps:

• There is no reason to be intimidated about cooking a filet mignon.  While I have many friends and family that get nervous about steaks…they really are one of the easier things you can cook.  To me,  the Perfect Filet Mignon has a salty, crispy outside, and tender, juicy, medium rare center.  The perfect Filet has aromatic hints of rosemary, and the savory nuttiness of brown butter.  Below, and in this recipe video, we’re going to talk about how to cook the perfect filet mignon.  Well go through the core cooking techniques that you need for just about any steak, but also talk about the specific things for filet mignon, that you need to know, for it to come out absolutely perfect.  My one disclaimer regarding doneness.  I personally like my filet mignon medium rare, but I understand that reasonable people can like it more or less done.  We've Tried (and Loved) HelloFresh. We Think You Will Too. Give Them a Try at $90 Off   If your idea of the Perfect Filet is one that’s well done…go for it – although there is tiny place in my heart that really hopes you’ve at least tried medium or medium rare ;-)  Hope you enjoy it!   How to Cook the Perfect Filet Mignon About the Filet Mignon Make sure that you buy a good quality filet mignon Filet Mignon is the tenderloin, a muscle that does very little work; thus it’s tenderness.  It is also quite lean, with very little fat…which is great health wise, but…. With steak (and most meat) fat means flavor, and juiciness. Because filet mignon is so lean, there’s little fat to melt and lubricate the meat while cooking.  As it gets closer to well done, more of that scarce fat melts away, and the dryer the meat will get Choose your desired doneness wisely – before you starting cooking Buy good quality filet mignon, from a butcher if you can.  I like them thick cut – at least 2, preferably 3 inches thick.  And the filet should be a single muscle, with a firm feel – some cuts from the end of the tenderloin are two muscles barely held together by thin connective tissue - pass on these. The thickness will heavily influence the time you cook the filet to get your desired doneness.  You don't use temperture to control the donesss of the steak - using high heat for well done, and low heat for rare.  Use high heat for it all.  Becuse the filet cooks from the outside in…and you always use high heat, to get more done, you simple cook the steak longer so the heat penetrates deeper. Cooking the Filet Philosophically, high heat = great meat.  Cook the filets at high temperature to get a great sear on the outside that is crunchy, tasty, and great looking.  Control the doneness (from rare to well done) with the length of time you leave the filets in the oven – Not the temperature. Pre-heat your oven to 450 degrees; yes, the oven, which is where I prefer to cooking my filet. But if you'd like you can also follow these same steps and cook your filet on the grill. Take the filet mignon out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you want to cook it, and season it liberally with salt and pepper That time allows the meat to come to room temperature – which will help ensure you cook it to the right doneness Getting a good sear on the filet is critical.  Bring your heaviest sauté pan up to temperature over very high heat, and add a few tablespoon of oil – I generally use olive oil, but only for convenience. Lay the filet mignons down in the pan, and let them sear on that side for 3 – 4 minutes depending on thickness.  Don’t touch, don’t move, don’t fiddle. Just let it sear. Turn the steak over, and allow it to sear for another 3 – 4 minutes Near the end of those 3 – 4 minutes add a couple tablespoons of butter, and the herb of your choice.  I love rosemary, thyme also is great. Baste the steaks with melted herb butter If you like your steak very rare, you can probably take it off now.  Use the feel technique I describe in the five rules for the perfect steak For more well done filets, slide the pan into the hot oven.  Generally speaking, every few minutes will move the steak up a notch on the doneness scale from rare to medium to well. They really should never take more than another 7 – 8 minutes in the oven set to the right temperature…but The best ways, in order, to tell doneness is 1) Judgment.  Because you’ve cooked a few filets, and you know how to do it you'll eventually just know  2) A combo of judgment and the feel test I mentioned above, 3) A distant third is a meat thermometer.  What’s not on this list? Please don’t cut into the filet to tell doneness.  First off it’s a bad way to tell, as the steak is still cooking and constantly getting more cooked.  Second, and more important, cutting into the filet while it cooks, will cause the juice to run out of the meat, horribly drying it out. It makes me cry when I see that. Feel free to continue to baste the filet with the butter once the meat comes out of the oven, but remember, pouring hot oil/butter on the filet continues to cook it…do watch doneness. Remove the steak and put it on a holding plate, and cover with foil for 5 minutes.  That allows the filet mignon to rest, and the juices to settle, so they don’t run out when you cut into it at the table. Now is a great time to add a simple but tasty filet mignon sauce.  After five minutes, serve up that perfectly cooked filet mignon, and if you’re feeling really decadent, spoon a bit of the herb flavored brown butter right over the top. Makes my mouth water.  Check out all my Filet Mignon Recipes and my new recipe for Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon. Wine Recommendation:  Many full bodied reds with go great with a Filet Mignon.  I’d go for a California Cab in a heartbeat.