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This pan-seared filet mignon recipe is so easy to master and renders perfect filet mignon every single time! While there are plenty of ways to cook tenderloin steak, this technique is the easiest and most repeatable. If you go out to a nice steakhouse then this is most likely the method they are using to cook your steak.
The secret to cooking the perfect steak is combining pan searing with an oven finish. This gives you a nicely seared exterior (high heat) with a juicy and evenly cooked interior (indirect lower heat). A cast iron skillet allows you to easily transfer your steak from the stovetop to the oven, making this a simple recipe to master.
The overall consistency and predictability of this cooking technique give this recipe a very high success rate on the very first try. I’ve followed it to the T with great success with hundreds of steaks. If this is your first time preparing filet mignon or if you’re struggling to get it right, then this recipe is for you.
I highly recommend you also check out my blueberry glazed filet mignon, balsamic glazed filet mignon, and bacon-wrapped filet mignon. If you’re looking for a good steak to share with a crowd, look no further than my porterhouse steak recipe with dipping sauces or my surf and turf recipe for two! Also, see reverse searing or grilling filet mignon.
Table of Contents
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- 10-12 ounce tenderloin beef filets (roughly 1.5- 2 inches thick): look for steaks that are about 2 inches thick and appear plump and deep red in color. Avoid steaks with signs of browning or slimy texture.
- Salt and pepper: for seasoning and optional dry brining.
- Vegetable or canola oil: these oils are best for searing because they have a higher smoke point than butter or olive oil.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Dry Brining Steak
Dry brining is the process of drying the exterior of the steak with salt before cooking, locking in the juices, and enhancing the flavor. To dry brine steak, place the steaks on a wire rack set on a baking sheet and season liberally with coarse sea salt or kosher salt, and pepper.
Place the steaks in the fridge uncovered for a few hours at a minimum but preferably overnight. The drier steak exterior will improve the sear and make for a better-textured crust. Steak should always rest on the counter for at least 30-45 minutes before cooking to climatize. No additional salt or seasoning is required.
Expert Tips
- Precisely timing your cooking time for steak always yields consistent results. Use a timer for each side on the skillet and then in the oven.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe pan, you can sear your filets on the stovetop and then transfer them to a baking sheet lined with a wire rack. Just note, that this will likely add additional baking time.
- If cooking more than 4 steaks on a standard skillet, you may need to adjust the cooking times to account for heat loss.
- Cooking steaks at high temps in a skillet tends to get smokey. Open a kitchen window and turn on your kitchen’s overhead vent fan before you start to help with ventilation.
- The most important aspect of cooking any steak is the rest period after you take it off the heat. Letting a steak rest for 5-7 minutes redistributes the juices and ensures you hit your final cooking temp.
- Always remove your steak below your final desired serving temp by 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit. Your steak will continue to cook after it’s been removed from the heat.
Steak Temperature Chart
The timing/temperature chart below corresponds to the pan sear/oven method in this recipe. It’s a great guide assuming you choose a steak of similar size and thickness as listed in the recipe. I recommend a digital thermometer to verify your steak’s internal temperature for the desired level of doneness.
| Doneness | Internal Temp | Oven Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Very Rare/rare | 120°F to 125°F | 4 minutes |
| Medium rare | 125°F to 130°F | 5-6 minutes |
| Medium | 135°F to 140°F | 6-7 minutes |
| Medium well | 145°F to 150°F | 8-9 minutes |
| Well done | 160°F and above | 10+ minutes |
More Steak Recipes
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this recipe, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Filet Mignon
Ingredients
- 4, 10 ounce thick tenderloin beef filets, roughly 1.5- 2 inches thick
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil, can use 1 tbsp butter but it has a lower smoke point
Garlic & Herb Butter
- 1/2 stick of butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
Instructions
For the herb butter
- Leave the butter on the counter to soften or place it in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until malleable, 10-15 seconds. Use a fork to mash in the herbs and garlic until fully mixed. Store in the refrigerator and remove 10 minutes before adding to the filet.
For the filets
- Preheat the oven to 415°F. Remove the steak from the fridge 30 minutes prior to cooking, this is to bring the steak to room temperature and ensure your cooking times are more accurate. Season all sides liberally with salt and pepper. This can be done while your steak comes to room temp.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil (all you need is a very light coating) to an oven-safe cast iron skillet and turn the heat up high, allowing the skillet to become very hot. Twirl the pan to distribute oil as it heats. Once the oil starts to smoke, place the filets face down and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip the filets and sear for an additional 2 minutes. This will give your filets a nice seared edge.
- Optionally add some herb butter and a whole garlic clove/herbs to the pan before transferring it to the oven. The butter will melt and the herbs will season the pan drippings for a later step. Transfer your skillet directly to the oven. [WARNING] skillet may be hot, handle it with oven mitts. For rare, bake for 4 minutes. Medium rare, 5-6 minutes. Medium, 6-7 minutes. Medium well, 8-9 minutes. Remember, 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 1.5-2 inches thick.
- Optionally spoon some of the seasoned pan drippings over the steak to infuse it with extra flavor.
- Remove filets from the skillet and set them on a plate and let sit for 5-10 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
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The steaks turned out great. I may have went a little too heavy on the salt but that is my fault. The only concern I have is living in an apartment without an industrial size kitchen, pan searing the steaks just about smoked us out! I’m talking open all the doors and windows cuz the sprinkler system is about to go off amount of smoke. I dumped out the excess butter before placing the skillet in the oven. Did I do something wrong or is this normal? If not, how can I prevent it from happening next time because I would like to make them again in the future. Thanks!
I feel your pain. I’m in the same situation as you right now. Maybe use a little less butter next time, or turn the heat down just a tad. It just needs to be hot enough for a good sear. I usually turn the oven vent fan on immediately so any smoke is pulled away. Hope this helps.
These were fantastic. I had so much smoke in the kitchen, It took forever to disperse even with the exaust fan on high. Olive oil has a low smoke point so I am wondering if I could use Alvacado or coconut oil which does not smoke when cooked on high?
Hmm – I would suggest less olive oil next time. You can probably omit entirely if it’s a problem. Sometimes of the skillet gets a little too hot it overly smokes.
I surprised my husband and cooked these for Valentine’s Day as well. Much nicer than going out, sitting in the crowded and noisy restaurant and paying $$$$. He was super pleased, as was I. Simple and straightforward and every bite was like a little bit of heaven in my mouth! Thank you for this.
Awesome! You’re welcome, Wendy
This was the BEST steak dinner I’ve ever made. It was cooked to absolute PERFECTION. What a hit last night for Valentines Day. Thank you very much for sharing your recipe. Please everyone just make it. It MELTS in your mouth. I must have said that was the BEST steak a 1,000 times….just saying!!
This was the BEST steak dinner I’ve EVER made. It comes out absolutely PERFECT. Thank you so
very much for sharing this recipe. It was a LOVELY Valentine’s Day Dinner.
Thanks Carrie! I have to say, I’ve made this recipe about 100 times and every time I have the same reaction. The perfect steak.
My husband and I had an early Valentine’s day dinner that we decided to do it at home. We decided on filet with halibut cheeks as a riff on surf and turf. (If you’ve never tried halibut cheeks, you must – they’re just like scallops). I’ve never done filet mignon at home actually but in principal it *should* be straight forward. I found your how-to right away searching for a simple guide to cooking timepoints and it worked amazingly well. We both thought the filet as good as any steakhouse we’ve ever been to.
Our two filets were 5oz each at 2in thick, and well marbeled (obviously a must). Patted dry the room temp filets, sprinkled salt and pepper on all sides and followed your directions – searing hot pan 2min each side. But reduced the time in oven to 3min because of the smaller size of these guys. Rested 6 min on cutting board. Ended up being perfect med rare. Quickest meat preparation I’ve ever done!!
We don’t have a cast iron skillet, but we do have ceramic pans (diamond clad greenpans; no plastic handles) that are actually pretty great at browning. They worked out for this high temp/hard sear recipe fabulously. So if someone doesn’t have a cast iron skillet, this recipe can still be achieved.
Perfect! Thanks Jenn – glad it worked out well for you. I’ll have to pick up some halibut cheeks.
This was ridiculously easy and made incredibly delicious filet mignon!!!!!! Thank you so much!
Thanks Tracy! Yes, it’s a no fail recipe. Glad you loved it.
Made this tonight for my “grill guy”, somewhat skeptical, husband. I think he was sure nothing would work as well as the grill on fillets.Well, he was proven wrong!! Fabulous recipe!! Just keep to the time frame – 2,2,6,5!! You’ll not go wrong! Delicious!!
That was me once upon a time. It’s a miracle combo. The best part is it’s so consistent. I’ve made this 100 times and it always comes out perfect!
Simply amazing! My sister got me a lodge for Christmas and I had a dinner party for 6 on New Years Eve and got rave reviews.
Perfect – you’re gonna love your Lodge.
Terrific recipe. Delicious steaks. This one is a keeper and is going in my permanent, hand-written recipe box. Thank you!
Thanks Bonny – sounds official. Glad it worked out!
Thank you!!