Cooking filet mignon can feel a little intimidating because no one wants to mess up an expensive steak. But here’s the truth: once you know how to cook filet mignon the right way, it’s actually one of the easiest, most forgiving cuts of beef you can make at home.
No grill required, no fancy chef skills needed, just a simple method that works every single time. Tender, juicy, restaurant-quality filet mignon made right in your own kitchen.
In college there were only a couple of restaurants and quickly Texas Roadhouse became my favorite. A Dallas filet, loaded baked potato, no sour cream and house salad with ranch. It was my go-to and I’ve never forgotten that Dallas filet!
Over the years, I have become such a home body though. Is that normal? Once you become “middle-aged”, hitting the town starts to lose it’s appeal? Is that thing? Well, it’s a thing for me, and going out for Valentine’s Day along with every other human just sounds blah! So I’m cooking a fancy (but so easy) dinner at home again this year. Filet mignon it is! All the fancy restaurants can eat their heart out!
What You Need to Cook Filet Mignon at Home
You only need a few simple ingredients to add flavor to the filets, a good cast iron skillet and a pair of tongs. It really is that easy! Oh, a meat thermometer is very helpful too if you have one!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Filet Mignon: A tender, buttery cut of beef that cooks quickly and stays incredibly juicy.
- PRO TIP: Look for evenly sized steaks so they cook at the same rate.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the steak and helps create a beautiful crust.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds just enough warmth and bite to balance the richness of the filet without overpowering it.
- Oil: Used to get a hot, even sear. Choose a neutral oil with a higher smoke point so the steak browns beautifully without burning.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted into the pan at the end for basting, adding richness and that classic steakhouse flavor.
- Garlic: Cloves infuse the butter with savory flavor as the steak finishes cooking.
- Fresh Rosemary: A