Filet mignon is one of the most versatile cuts on the menu because its naturally mild, buttery flavor takes well to almost any preparation - bold pan sauces, smoky seasoning blends, bacon wraps, surf-and-turf combinations, and even stir fry - without the meat ever getting overpowered. These 14 filet mignon recipes cover that full range of what the cut can do.
Jump to:
- What makes these recipes special?
- Top Tips
- Filet Mignon in Sherry Mushroom Cream Sauce
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon
- Steak au Poivre
- Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
- Mexi Cheesesteak Sandwiches
- Crab Cake Filet Mignon
- How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning
- Beef Tenderloin with Shrimp and Mushroom Sauce
- Chinese Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon
- How To Cook Filet Mignon In The Oven
- Steak and Potatoes Appetizer
- Smoked Beef Tenderloin
- Comments
Filet mignon is the cut that rewards technique more than almost anything else because the same qualities that make it tender - very lean, fine-grained muscle - also mean it overcooks fast without attention. The Filet Mignon in Sherry Mushroom Cream Sauce and the Steak au Poivre are both strong starting points if you want to add a pan sauce that works with the mild flavor of the beef rather than competing with it. There is also a Crab Cake Filet Mignon for anyone ready to go full surf-and-turf.
Beyond the classic pan-seared preparations, this collection covers the air fryer method from two different sources so you can compare approaches, a smoked beef tenderloin for cooking outdoors, and a Texas Roadhouse seasoning copycat that works on any steak you put it on. There are also a couple of directions that use filet mignon in less traditional ways - Mexi Cheesesteak Sandwiches and a Chinese stir fry - that prove how well this cut handles high heat and bold seasoning outside the steakhouse context.
Top Tips
- Bring filet mignon to room temperature before cooking. Cold steak straight from the fridge takes longer to cook through, which means the outside overcooks before the center reaches the right temperature. Pull it out 30 to 45 minutes before you cook and you will get much more even doneness from edge to center.
- Use a cast iron skillet for the sear if you have one. Cast iron holds heat better than most pans and gives you a harder, more even crust without steaming the meat. Preheat the pan for several minutes before the steak goes in so the first contact is a real sear, not a slow warm-up.
- A meat thermometer is not optional for this cut. Filet mignon is expensive and very lean, which means it has almost no fat to buffer against overcooking. Pull it at 125°F for medium-rare and rest it tented under foil for at least 5 minutes before cutting, because the internal temperature keeps climbing after it leaves the heat.
- Season more aggressively than feels comfortable. Because filet is a mild, lean cut, the seasoning on the outside has to carry a lot of the flavor. Kosher salt and cracked black pepper applied at least 30 minutes before cooking - or up to overnight in the fridge uncovered - makes a noticeable difference in how the finished steak tastes.
- For bacon-wrapped filet mignon, partially cook the bacon first. Raw bacon wrapped around a filet often stays chewy by the time the steak is cooked through, because the two components finish at very different rates. A few minutes in a pan before wrapping gives the bacon a head start so both finish together.
Filet Mignon in Sherry Mushroom Cream Sauce
Pan-seared filet mignon finished with a sherry and mushroom cream sauce that is rich and deeply savory. A sauce like this is exactly what a mild, tender cut is made for.
Photo credit: It Is a Keeper
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
A well-crusted filet mignon out of the air fryer with clear temperature guidance for hitting the right doneness. Fast, consistent, and much easier to manage than a stovetop sear for a smaller cut.
Photo credit: Air Frying Foodie
Steak au Poivre
A peppercorn-crusted filet finished with a rich cream pan sauce that is bold and deeply flavored in a way that complements the mild beef beautifully. A classic French preparation that is more approachable to make at home than it sounds.
Photo credit: Cooking with Curls
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Filet mignon wrapped in bacon that crisps up and adds a smoky, salty contrast to the tender beef underneath. A classic combination that is hard to argue with on a special occasion.
Photo credit: Get Inspired Everyday!
Mexi Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Thinly sliced filet mignon cooked with peppers and spices, then loaded into a sandwich with melted cheese for a bold, flavor-packed result. A completely different use for the cut that shows how well it handles high-heat cooking and strong seasoning.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
Crab Cake Filet Mignon
Seared filet mignon topped with a crab cake for a surf-and-turf combination that goes well beyond the typical shrimp-and-steak pairing. An impressive dinner-for-two plate that does not require a restaurant to pull off.
Photo credit: Cooking with Curls
How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
A detailed walkthrough for cooking bacon-wrapped filet mignon that takes the guesswork out of getting both components done at the same time. Worth comparing against the other bacon-wrapped version in this list.
Photo credit: The Delicious Spoon
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning
A homemade version of the Texas Roadhouse steak seasoning blend that you can put on any cut, including filet mignon, for a bold crust with a lot of flavor in every bite. The post also walks through how to cook a medium-rare steak using the seasoning.
Photo credit: The Food Hussy
Beef Tenderloin with Shrimp and Mushroom Sauce
Filet mignon served with a shrimp and mushroom sauce for a surf-and-turf direction that brings two different saucy elements together on one plate. A date night dinner that is genuinely worth the effort.
Photo credit: Cooking with Curls
Chinese Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry
Thinly sliced filet mignon stir-fried with vegetables in a savory Chinese-style sauce, showing how well this cut handles a quick, high-heat cook. A lighter, faster direction compared to the roasted and sauced preparations on this list.
Photo credit: Dana's Table
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
A second air fryer filet mignon approach worth looking at alongside the other air fryer version in this collection, with its own seasoning and temperature guidance. Two takes on the same method so you can find the one that fits how you like to cook.
Photo credit: Organically Addison
How To Cook Filet Mignon In The Oven
A method-focused oven recipe for filet mignon that walks through searing and finishing in the oven for an even medium-rare from edge to center. A reliable technique guide for anyone who wants to understand the process, not just follow a recipe.
Photo credit: Cuisine and Travel
Steak and Potatoes Appetizer
Filet mignon sliced and served on potatoes as a passed appetizer, turning a steakhouse classic into something you can put out at a party. A creative direction for the cut that is genuinely impressive without being complicated.
Photo credit: Noshing With The Nolands
Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Beef tenderloin smoked low and slow until the exterior has a deep, caramelized bark and the interior is juicy and tender throughout. An outdoor cooking direction that is a completely different experience from any pan-seared or oven-roasted version on this list.
Photo credit: BBQing with the Nolands
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