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Cooking filet mignon on the grill is really simple, but I’ll be honest with you, I swore off grilling filet mignon a few years ago when I discovered the beauty of pan-seared filet mignon. It’s simply the best way to cook a perfectly even and juicy steak.
With that said, the stove/oven method is not always realistic if you’re cooking several steaks for a larger crowd or you’re just in the mood for grilling outdoors. While grilling steak wouldn’t be my first choice, it can still produce fantastic results with the right temperature and careful timing.
How Long to Grill Filet Mignon?
The most critical advice I have for you is to not overcook your filet. Yes, it’s obvious but 1-2 minutes can make a HUGE difference in the final temp. 5 minutes per side on medium-high heat is the sweet spot for a perfect medium-rare steak, adding an additional minute per side for each level of doneness.
Use your phone’s timer to be exact, it always yields consistent results! Also, a simple digital thermometer is absolutely the best way to confirm the internal temp, unless you’re a wizard who can tell just by touching it (I am not). The cook times below are based on a standard 2-inch thick filet mignon.
| Doneness | Temperature Range | Time On Grill |
|---|---|---|
| Very Rare/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 | 160°F and above | 10 minutes per side |
Should I Season Filet Mignon?
When I grill filet, I like to season it with a rub of finely chopped fresh rosemary and a healthy dose of salt and pepper. Rub it into the filet with a tiny drizzle of olive oil until evenly coated on all sides. Serve topped with garlic and herb butter and you’ll be well on your way to flavortown.
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More Filet Mignon Recipes You’ll Love
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How to Grill Filet Mignon
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
The simplest way to grill filet mignon without ruining it. Grilled to perfection in 10 minutes and topped with my favorite herb butter.
Ingredients
- 2 10-ounce thick tenderloin beef filets (roughly 2 inches thick)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, removed from sprig and minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Garlic & herb butter
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, removed from sprig and minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions
For the herb butter
- Soften the butter in a microwave safe bowl until malleable, 10-15 seconds. Stir in herbs and garlic until fully mixed. Spoon the butter onto tin foil doing your best to reshape it to resemble a stick of butter. Place in refrigerator for about 10 minutes and remove 5 minutes before adding to the filet.
For the filets
- Season both sides of the filet generously with salt and pepper and fresh rosemary. Rub with a little olive oil and let rest for 30 minutes before cooking, this is to bring the steak to room temperature and ensure your cooking times are more accurate.
- Preheat the grill to high heat and clean the grates well. Keep the lid closed and let the internal temp get up to around 500°F.
- Place the filets face down and sear undisturbed for 5 minutes with the cover up. Flip the filets and sear for an additional 5 minutes. This is ideal for medium-rare.
- For rare, sear for 4 minutes a side. Medium rare, 5 minutes. Medium, 6-7 minutes. Medium well, 8+ minutes. Depending on the size of the steak, the more or less time it will take. This recipe is ideal for an 8-10 ounce portion, roughly 2 inches thick. Note: If your steak still needs more time, lower the heat to medium and put the cover down. This will take advantage of the ambient heat to finish the steak. Remember, the steak will continue to cook after it’s been removed from the heat. More notes below.
- Remove filets from the grill and let rest for 7-10 minutes before serving. This is important to bring your steak to its final serving temperature. Top with a slice of garlic and herb butter and serve.
Notes
Grilling with the cover up versus down is largely dependent on outdoor conditions. If it’s cold and windy then leaving the cover up will take much longer to cook your steak. In these conditions, you should likely cook with the cover down to retain heat.
Temperatures for steak
Rare: 120°F to 125°F
Medium rare: 125°F to 130°F
Medium: 135°F to 140°F
Medium well: 145°F to 150°F
Well done: 160°F and above
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak
- Calories: 443
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 277mg
- Fat: 31.5g
- Saturated Fat: 15.8g
- Carbohydrates: 1.6g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Protein: 37.3g
- Cholesterol: 163mg
Keywords: how to cook filet mignon on grill, grilling filet mignon
This is a great recipe! I love this for at home entertaining Al fresco!
Thank you!
★★★★★
Best steak ever. Perfection
1st time grilling a filet! Nailed it with your time temperature guidelines!! Thanks again!
★★★★★