How To Cook The Perfect Fillet Steak (The Easy Way) | Gousto Blog (2024)

Juicy, succulent and melt-in-your-mouth tender, a fillet steak (or filet mignon) is something we often save for a posh meal out – but it’s actually very simple to cook at home.

All you need to cook fillet steak is two things: High heat and constant attention. Cook it right, and it’s the most tender steak there is, with a delicate but rich flavour that’s perfect if you prefer a leaner cut of beef.

So if fillet steak is on your menu tonight, here’s how to cook it like a professional.

Step 1: Take your meat out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking it. This is really important, as bringing it to room temperature will give you a much more even cook!

Step 2: Heat a large, dry wide-based pan until it’s ripping hot! While that heats up, rub your steaks with vegetable oil and season generously with salt on both sides. Then place your steak in the (very hot!) pan, and don’t touch or move it while it cooks. This will help it develop a lovely golden brown crust.

Top tip! Fillet steaks are usually thicker than a sirloin or ribeye, so they take a little longer to finish cooking.

Step 3: Once your steak is golden brown, turn the temperature down so you keep cooking the steak without burning it. Turn the steak more regularly to prevent burning.

Top tip! Every steak will be slightly different in shape, size and texture, so cooking times will vary. If you notice one steak is a little thicker than the other, cook it for an extra 30 seconds in the pan on each side.

For rare, cook for 3-4 min max on each side.

For medium-rare, cook for 4-5 min on each side.

For medium, cook for 5-6 min on each side.

Step 5: Rest your meat! Resist digging in straight away, as resting improves the flavour and juiciness of your steak. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with tin foil and set aside somewhere warm for at least 5 minutes.

We all have our favourite way to eat steak – whether that’s with zingy chimichurri and a sweet potato wedges, or alongside polenta chips and mushroom sauce. Or my personal favourite, our 21-Day Aged Fillet Steak with Chunky Chips and a creamy peppercorn sauce, which happens to be on the menu until 15 June.

Need an occasion? We’ve created a guide on How To Host A Gourmet Night Out In Lockdown, to make a steak this good feel really special. However you choose to serve it, follow our easy steps and you’re sure to sear a juicy, succulent fillet steak just the way you like it – every single time.

How To Cook The Perfect Fillet Steak (The Easy Way) | Gousto Blog (2024)

FAQs

How To Cook The Perfect Fillet Steak (The Easy Way) | Gousto Blog? ›

Method. Season the steaks well with salt and pepper and add to the pan. Leave for 3 minutes, add the butter and turn the steaks, leave for a further 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and leave to rest for a good 3 minutes to allow to juices to reabsorb and the meat to relax.

How do you cook fillet steak so it's tender? ›

Method. Season the steaks well with salt and pepper and add to the pan. Leave for 3 minutes, add the butter and turn the steaks, leave for a further 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and leave to rest for a good 3 minutes to allow to juices to reabsorb and the meat to relax.

Do you cook fillet steak in oil or butter? ›

Best cooking fat for steak

Flavourless oils like sunflower, vegetable or groundnut work best, and once the steak is searing you can add butter to the pan for flavour.

How to cook the perfect fillet steak Jamie Oliver? ›

What works for me every time is taking the fillet out of the bag, quickly patting it with kitchen paper then rolling it in olive oil and putting it on the hottest part of the barbecue to give it colour. Rub it with a chilled knob of butter as you cook it for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning every minute.

How do restaurants make their steaks so tender? ›

The Aging. Most fine restaurants age their beef to intensify the flavor and improve the tenderness of the cut. Aging is done by letting the meat sit (in very controlled conditions) for several days or weeks.

How do top chefs cook filet mignon? ›

for Filet Mignon

Sear on high heat for 2 minutes on one side, then turn and move to indirect heat. Turn them 1 minute before the halfway point of the cooking time. For perfect doneness, we recommend you use a meat thermometer and use the Measuring Doneness chart below.

Why do restaurants put butter on steaks? ›

Restaurants put butter on steaks to add moisture and flavor as well as improve their appearance. You're probably asking how a pat of butter can make a prime steak better? Well, it doesn't do a whole lot but when you're paying big bucks for a steak you expect more than a cooked hunk of beef.

How to cook fillet steak James Martin? ›

Meanwhile to cook the steaks heat a fry pan over a medium heat until hot then add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the steaks and cook on both sides for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the butter and as it foams, nappe over the steaks. Season with salt and pepper and rest for 5 minutes before serving with the potatoes.

Is it better to sear steak in butter or oil? ›

WHICH IS BEST FOR COOKING STEAK: BUTTER OR OIL? Unlike butter, many oils have higher smoke points, making them the better option for cooking steak. Furthermore, there are some oils e.g. olive oil or grape seed oil that are healthier alternatives to butter. However, don't expect oil to taste better than butter.

Should I put butter in steak? ›

Because it adds proteins to the mix, butter is a better medium for adding deep brown color to your steak as well, which means that even if your steak is looking a little pale after its initial sear, once you add that butter, it'll rapidly take on color.

Is fillet steak the same as filet mignon? ›

The fillet steak, also known as Filet Mignon, is widely regarded as the premium cut. It is from the lower back of the cow which is rarely used meaning the fillet steak is the most tender cut. It is also very lean, with minimal marbling which means that it is not as flavoursome as other cuts.

How to cook fillet steak simple? ›

If you notice one steak is a little thicker than the other, cook it for an extra 30 seconds in the pan on each side. For rare, cook for 3-4 min max on each side. For medium-rare, cook for 4-5 min on each side. For medium, cook for 5-6 min on each side.

Why is my fillet steak tough? ›

Typically, leaner cuts like the flank or skirt can be chewy if not prepared correctly. Cooking Method: Overcooking can cause the steak to lose its moisture, making it dry and chewy. Conversely, undercooking can make certain cuts feel tough. Aging Process: Steaks that are not properly aged can be less tender.

How is fillet steak best served? ›

Fillet steaks can be grilled or fried, served simply with sea salt and black pepper or with a sauce such as a Béarnaise, peppercorn or mushroom.

What makes the filet so tender? ›

Because the short loin is tucked under the cow's ribs and next to the cow's backbone, the musculature bears little weight and contains minimal connective tissue, keeping the meat beautifully soft and tender. Filet is prized for its wonderful mouth texture — it practically melts — and delicate yet beefy flavor.

What is the best way to cook a steak for tenderness? ›

By adding salt to your steak, you will help pull out moisture from the meat, enriching the flavor of your steak while tenderizing it in the process. Salt will act as a natural brine and can be added up to 24 hours before cooking, instilling deep, rich flavors and tenderness to any cut of beef.

Is fillet steak the most tender? ›

The fillet steak, also known as Filet Mignon, is widely regarded as the premium cut. It is from the lower back of the cow which is rarely used meaning the fillet steak is the most tender cut. It is also very lean, with minimal marbling which means that it is not as flavoursome as other cuts.

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