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Delicious tender juicy filet mignon that is perfect every time, thanks to a simple reverse-sear method that will get you restaurant-quality results, at home!
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Perfect Easy Reverse Seared Filet Mignon
Reverse searing is a cooking method that has gained popularity among steak enthusiasts, and it works particularly well with premium cuts like Filet Mignon. The process involves slow-cooking the steak to your desired doneness first and then finishing it with a quick and intense sear. This method ensures a perfectly cooked steak with a beautifully caramelized crust.
When it comes to Filet Mignon, which is renowned for its tenderness and mild flavor, the reverse sear technique shines. The first step is to season the steak generously with salt and pepper or your favorite steak rub. Then, you place it in an oven at a low temperature, typically around 225°F (107°C), until it reaches the desired internal temperature. This slow cooking process allows the meat’s proteins to break down gradually, resulting in a buttery texture.
One of the key advantages of reverse searing Filet Mignon is the precise control it offers over the steak’s internal temperature. By using a meat thermometer, you can ensure that the steak reaches your preferred level of doneness, whether it’s rare, medium-rare, medium, or any other stage of doneness.
Once the Filet Mignon is close to your desired internal temperature, you remove it from the oven and let it rest briefly while you heat a skillet or grill to high heat. The final step is the searing process, where you quickly sear the steak on both sides to create a beautifully browned crust. This intense heat sears the outside of the steak while preserving the tender interior, resulting in a mouthwatering contrast of textures and flavors.
Reverse searing Filet Mignon is a fantastic way to showcase the natural tenderness and mild flavor of this cut. It’s a method that requires a bit of patience but rewards you with a steak that’s perfectly cooked from edge to center, with a delectable seared exterior that locks in the juices and enhances the overall dining experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a delicious meal, reverse sear Filet Mignon is a culinary journey well worth taking.
How to Reverse Sear Filet Mignon
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- Filet Mignon Steaks (2, 6-8 oz each): Filet Mignon is often considered the most tender cut of beef. It brings a luxurious and buttery texture to the dish. These steaks are known for their mild flavor and minimal marbling, making them a canvas for seasoning and the perfect choice for a reverse sear.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Salt is a crucial seasoning that enhances the natural flavor of the steak and helps create a crust when seared. Freshly ground black pepper adds a mild, earthy spiciness that complements the beef’s richness.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to coat the steaks before seasoning. It helps the seasonings adhere to the meat and contributes a pleasant, fruity note. Additionally, it aids in browning when the steaks are seared.
- Optional: Your Favorite Steak Rub or Seasonings: Optional seasonings, such as steak rubs or spices, add a layer of flavor to the Filet Mignon. Popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and herbs like rosemary or thyme. These seasonings can enhance the overall taste and aroma of the dish, but they are not essential when you have high-quality steak.
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:
- Season the Steaks: Take the Filet Mignon steaks out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps them cook more evenly. Preheat your oven to 225°F (107°C). Season both sides of each steak generously with salt and pepper. If you like, you can also rub your favorite steak seasoning or rub onto the steaks for extra flavor.
- Slow Cook in the Oven: Place a wire rack on a baking sheet, and then place the seasoned steaks on the rack. Elevating the steaks allows for even cooking and better air circulation. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of one of the steaks (make sure it’s not touching bone or fat). Roast the steaks in the preheated oven until they reach your desired internal temperature. Here are some approximate guidelines for steak doneness:
- Rare: 120-125°F (49-52°C)
- Medium-Rare: 130-135°F (54-57°C)
- Medium: 140-145°F (60-63°C)
- Medium-Well: 150-155°F (66-68°C)
- Well-Done: 160°F (71°C) and above
- Keep in mind that the steak’s temperature will rise a few degrees as it rests.
Rest the Steaks: Once the Filet Mignon steaks reach your desired internal temperature, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a plate. Tent the steaks loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring a juicy steak.
Sear the Steaks:
- While the steaks are resting, preheat a skillet or grill pan over high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the hot pan.
- When the pan is very hot, place the steaks in it and sear for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until you achieve a nice sear and crust. You can also sear the edges briefly, if desired.
Serve: Remove the Filet Mignon steaks from the pan and let them rest for another minute or so. Slice and serve your beautifully cooked and seared Filet Mignon steaks with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.
Enjoy your perfectly reverse seared Filet Mignon! This method ensures a tender and flavorful steak with a delightful contrast of textures.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Reverse Seared Filet Mignon
Choose High-Quality Steaks: Start with high-quality Filet Mignon steaks. Look for well-marbled cuts with a deep red color. Quality steaks will yield the best results.
Bring Steaks to Room Temperature: Take the steaks out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows for even cooking.
Season Generously: Season the steaks generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. If using additional seasonings or a steak rub, apply them at this stage.
Use a Meat Thermometer: Invest in a reliable meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the steaks. This is crucial for achieving your desired level of doneness.
Low and Slow in the Oven: Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 225°F (107°C). Slow-roast the Filet Mignon in the oven until it reaches about 10-15°F (5-8°C) below your target internal temperature. This gentle cooking allows for even doneness from edge to center.
Rest the Steaks: After slow-roasting, remove the steaks from the oven and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy steak.
Preheat the Searing Surface: While the steaks are resting, preheat a skillet or grill pan over high heat. The surface should be very hot to achieve a quick and beautiful sear.
Use a High Smoke Point Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil or grapeseed oil, to coat the steaks before searing. This prevents the oil from burning and producing a bitter taste.
Quick Sear: When searing, place the steaks in the hot pan and sear for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until you achieve a nice sear and crust. You can also sear the edges briefly, if desired.
Rest Again: After searing, remove the Filet Mignon from the pan and let them rest for another minute or so. This final resting stage allows the meat to relax and retain its juices.
Serve Immediately: Serve the reverse seared Filet Mignon immediately for the best flavor and texture. Consider adding a pat of compound butter or a drizzle of sauce for extra richness.
Practice Makes Perfect: Reverse searing can take a few tries to master, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Each steak and oven can behave differently, so practice and patience are key.
FAQs
Reverse searing is a cooking method where you slow-cook the steak first and then sear it at high heat at the end. It’s ideal for Filet Mignon because it ensures even doneness from edge to center, which is crucial for this tender cut.
Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the steak. For rare, aim for around 120-125°F (49-52°C); for medium-rare, 130-135°F (54-57°C); and adjust to your preferred level of doneness.
Yes, after the slow-roasting stage, it’s essential to let the Filet Mignon rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring a juicy steak.
The skillet or grill pan should be very hot, ideally smoking. Preheat it over high heat to achieve a quick and beautiful sear.
Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or grapeseed oil, to coat the steaks before searing. This prevents the oil from burning and producing a bitter taste.
Yes, you can use the reverse sear method for various cuts of steak, but it works exceptionally well for thicker cuts like ribeye, New York strip, and, of course, Filet Mignon.
Absolutely! You can customize the seasonings to your liking. Common additions include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and herbs like rosemary or thyme.
Yes, you can reverse sear Filet Mignon on a grill. Follow the same slow-roasting steps, and then transfer the steaks to a hot grill for the searing stage. Grill for about 1-2 minutes per side until you achieve a sear.
It’s recommended to thaw Filet Mignon before using the reverse sear method for even cooking. Thawing in the refrigerator is the safest and most effective method.
Common side dishes include garlic mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, roasted asparagus, or a simple green salad. You can also serve it with a sauce like béarnaise or a compound butter.
What to Serve With Reverse Seared Filet Mignon
Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic and indulgent side that complements the richness of Filet Mignon. Consider garlic mashed potatoes for an extra flavor kick.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or carrots bring a lovely contrast in texture and a touch of sweetness to the meal.
Creamed Spinach: A side of creamy spinach is a popular choice, offering a combination of earthy greens and a luscious sauce that pairs well with the steak.
Grilled or Steamed Asparagus: Asparagus spears, lightly seasoned and grilled or steamed, make for a simple and elegant side dish.
Garlic Butter Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms in garlic butter complement the steak’s flavor and add a savory element to the plate.
Scalloped Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes layered with cheese and baked to perfection create a rich and satisfying side.
Green Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty steak.
Crispy Onion Rings: Crispy, homemade onion rings add a delightful crunch and flavor to the meal.
Au Gratin Potatoes: These cheesy, creamy potatoes with a golden crust are a decadent choice to accompany Filet Mignon.
Cauliflower Puree: A healthier alternative to mashed potatoes, cauliflower puree is creamy and pairs well with the steak’s richness.
Béarnaise Sauce: A classic Béarnaise sauce drizzled over the Filet Mignon adds a luxurious touch and a hint of tarragon flavor.
Yorkshire Puddings: For an English-inspired meal, serve Filet Mignon with Yorkshire puddings, which are airy, savory pastries.
Herb-Infused Rice Pilaf: A fragrant rice pilaf with herbs like parsley, dill, and chives can balance the richness of the steak.
Grilled Corn on the Cob: Seasoned and grilled corn on the cob adds a sweet and smoky side dish.
Truffle Fries: Crispy truffle fries with a drizzle of truffle oil offer a gourmet twist on classic French fries.
Simple Sautéed Greens: Quickly sautéed greens like spinach or Swiss chard with garlic and olive oil provide a light and healthy side.
Bruschetta: A fresh tomato and basil bruschetta can add a burst of freshness and acidity to the meal.
Reverse Seared Filet Mignon Recipe
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Reverse Seared Filet Mignon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Filet Mignon steaks 6-8 oz each
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- Optional: Your favorite steak rub or seasonings
Instructions
- Take the Filet Mignon steaks out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps them cook more evenly.
- Preheat your oven to 225°F (107°C).
- Season both sides of each steak generously with salt and pepper. If you like, you can also rub your favorite steak seasoning or rub onto the steaks for extra flavor.
- Place a wire rack on a baking sheet, and then place the seasoned steaks on the rack. Elevating the steaks allows for even cooking and better air circulation.
- Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of one of the steaks (make sure it's not touching bone or fat).
Roast the steaks in the preheated oven until they reach your desired internal temperature. Here are some approximate guidelines for steak doneness:
- Rare: 120-125°F (49-52°C)
- Medium-Rare: 130-135°F (54-57°C)
- Medium: 140-145°F (60-63°C)
- Medium-Well: 150-155°F (66-68°C)
- Well-Done: 160°F (71°C) and above
- Keep in mind that the steak's temperature will rise a few degrees as it rests.
- Once the Filet Mignon steaks reach your desired internal temperature, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a plate.
- Tent the steaks loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring a juicy steak.
- While the steaks are resting, preheat a skillet or grill pan over high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the hot pan.
- When the pan is very hot, place the steaks in it and sear for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until you achieve a nice sear and crust. You can also sear the edges briefly, if desired.
- Remove the Filet Mignon steaks from the pan and let them rest for another minute or so.
- Slice and serve your beautifully cooked and seared Filet Mignon steaks with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.
- Enjoy your perfectly reverse seared Filet Mignon! This method ensures a tender and flavorful steak with a delightful contrast of textures.
Searing does NOT seal in the juices.
After one side is seared and flipped drops of juice can appear on the surface of the seared steak.
The pink color should appear from edge to edge. In your photos a large layer of gray meat is visible under the seared surface. This is not the proper way to reverse sear a steak.
Searing at the end simply adds a nice crust to the outside.