Filet Mignon Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet

Joey BrisketBeef, Cuts of Meat, Oven, Stove, Types of Heat, Watch & Learn11 Comments

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Learn to cook a PERFECT steak INDOORS with this EASY Filet Mignon Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet recipe….because you don’t need the grill to make a tasty steak!

Cast Iron Filet Recipe Video

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- I'm Joey with Red Meat Lover, and today we're making filet mignon in a cast iron skillet. I'll show you how this versatile pan can be used on the stove and in the oven to make a perfectly cooked steak. Now, let's get ready to sizzle. Today we're combining one of the most desirable cuts of beef available, the filet mignon, with one of the most versatile pans in the kitchen, the cast iron skillet. The cast iron is so versatile because it can be used on any number of heat sources, everything from the camp fire to the grill, to the stove and to the oven. And as a matter of fact will be using both the stove and the oven, to cook this steak perfectly today. As I've said before if you don't already own a cast iron skillet, well you should pause this video right now, and go buy one from our store, redmeatlover.com. You'll be glad you did. If you don't know what a filet mignon is, well you've really been missing out. It's one of the most tender steaks available, like melt in your mouth tender. It's so tender the filet comes from a larger cut known as the tender loin, which is a pretty creative name right? It's also a very lean steak, there's not a lot of fat or marbling, but remember that's where steak gets it's flavor. So, if you buy this steak at a restaurant, it's not uncommon to see it served with a sauce, or a gravy to promote some additional flavor. If you buy it at the store like I did, it's not uncommon to see the steak wrapped in bacon like it is right here. And that bacon fat will help promote some additional flavor, as this steak cooks. We've talked about the filet mignon before in our porterhouse video. As you'll remember the filet portion comprises one side of a porterhouse or T-bone steak. This side right here. As a matter of fact the only difference between a porterhouse and a T-bone steak, is that the porterhouse has a noticeably larger filet portion. This filet mignon is simply this part of the steak cut away from the bone. Now before we get started there's a couple other tips to remember about cooking your steak. One I say every single video, be sure to let your steak rest, for at least twenty to thirty minutes room temperature prior to cooking. Guys, this is such an easy step, literally takes no work, there's no reason why you should skip it. Allowing your steak to rest will promote an evenly cooked steak, that will provide more predictable and consistent results, every time you cook. The other thing is about seasoning, today we're gonna go ahead and season this steak with our big tasty steak rub. Our big tasty steak rub is a simple combination of spices, commonly found in most kitchens, including garlic and onion powder, kosher salt, coarse ground pepper, some paprika, and even some beef bouillon, which will promote some additional flavor, as this steak cooks. Not only will it add some additional flavor, but this seasoning will help promote a brown, crusted and tasty exterior, as this steak sears, in the cast iron skillet. So now that we've explained what the filet mignon is, we're ready to cook, the very first thing you need to do, is preheat your oven to 435 degrees, let that achieve temperature, before starting anything else. As I said we're gonna use both the cast iron on the stove and then we're gonna transfer it to the oven, to let it cook. The next thing that you need to do, is add a tablespoon of oil to your pan, and let that get nice and hot. If you bought your steak bacon wrapped as I did, what you can do is you can remove the bacon, and let it cook first. And then use the remaining lard that's in there, to sear the steak in that, instead of using the oil. Either way, I don't cook my steak with the bacon on, and the reason I don't is because I like crispy bacon. I've tried cooking this enough with the bacon on to know that it will just never get crispy. So what I'm going to do, is I'm going to cook the bacon first, I'm actually going to reserve that bacon to make a compound butter for the steak, which I'll show you in a different video. Let's get started. Alright while this bacon is cooking, I'm gonna go ahead and season the steak. First of all there's no need for this toothpick anymore now that the bacon is in the skillet. And next we're just going to go ahead and season this liberally on both sides. Again, the seasoning, liberal seasoning, will help promote nice brown, crusted and tasty exterior, as this steak cooks. We want to go ahead and leave all that awesome bacon grease in the pan, 'cos we're going to use that to help sear the steak, add some additional flavor as it cooks. Now we're ready to drop the steak. And I follow very strict timing guidelines for searing the steak, I'm gonna cook it for three minutes on one side and I'm going to flip it and cook it for one minute on the other side. Can you hear that at home? Can you hear that steak sear? If delicious could make a sound that would be it. Alright the steak is cooked on this side for three minutes, so I'm going to flip it now, and let it cook on the other side for just one minute. Look at that great, crusted, tasty exterior on that steak. That's gonna provide some nice crunch once we bite into it. Now that the steak is seared on this side for one minute, I'm gonna go ahead and take this pan and transfer it over to the oven, where again I have this oven heating at 435 degrees. We've placed that steak in the middle rack, and we're going to allow it to cook in there for about another six or eight minutes. As I mentioned earlier, there's absolutely no need to flip the steak as it cooks. So why are we using the oven today? Well, while we're cooking a filet this method works well for any thick cut steak, any steak that's an inch and a half thick or greater. The reason we can't just cook it on the stove top is because of the thickness, if we only cooked it there, what would happen is, it would take A, a very long time, and B, the exterior would become actually burnt, and once it burns it will provide really bitter flavor, and trust me I know I've messed a few up in my time. So what we're going to do for a really thick steaks is, again, put them on a stove top, move them to the oven. This method works really well with filets, like we're cooking today, porterhouse, T-bones and rib eyes, just to name a few. Right, so we're going to pull the steak out, this steak's been in the oven for about 10 minutes. If you're comfortable with the feel method, you can try using that, or you can never go wrong with an instant read thermometer. I suggest pulling the steak out of here at about 140 degrees, and once you remove the steak, you'll let it cool for about five to 10 minutes, or let it rest. During that resting period the temperature of the steak will actually rise an additional five to 10 degrees. Before I put the steak in the oven, I thought it might take six to eight minutes, but you need to know at home, that not all ovens cook at the same temperature, even if they say the same degree on the outside. So this steak took a little bit longer then what I anticipated but we'll be back in about five minutes, we'll cut it open and see how it looks. Okay, so this steak is now cooled for five minutes, let's cut it open and see what it looks like. Look at that right there, it's a perfectly cooked medium to medium rare color, as I've said before, there's absolutely no need to spend $50 at a steakhouse, when you can make this right in your own kitchen. Our motto at Red Meat Lover is any cut of meat, any type of heat, which reflects our belief, that there are many, many right ways to cook and prepare meat. We would love your feedback in the comments right below this video, or you can send them to me, at Joey at redmeatlover.com. If you liked our video please give us a thumbs up like, or subscribe to our YouTube channel for future updates. You know since I make a lot of cooking related videos, people often ask me how I like my steak, and my answer is always, right next to my other steak. I'll see you next time. Thanks guys.




In this video, we’ll share tips including:

  • What is a Filet Mignon Steak (hint: it’s delicious!)
  • Easy method for cooking steak indoors on the stove and the oven
  • Why is a Filet Mignon often sold wrapped in bacon (store) or covered with sauce (restaurant)
  • The differences between Porterhouse Steak, Filet Mignon, and T-bone steak
  • Why steak needs to rest
  • How to make steak seasoning using our or the “Big Tasty” Steak Rub here – http://redmeatlover.com/recipe/steak-seasoning/
  • General timing guidelines for cooking steak – and why they don’t always work when using an oven

If you don’t own a cast iron skillet, you’re missing one of the most awesome tools available to you in the kitchen….but don’t let that get you down! We now offer a wide selection of cast iron at our store.

Filet Mignon Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet Recipe

Prep Tips

  • Resting:  It’s a simple and necessary step for making an evenly cooked steak.  Let it rest at room temp for 20 to 30 minutes for cooking.  Also, if you let the steak rest, it will be easier to achieve your ideal temperature with more consistent results.
  • Seasoning: We seasoned this steak with our Big Tasty Steak Rub. This rub which is a combination of garlic and onion powder, paprika, pepper, beef bouillon and kosher salt.  It will add some flavor and promote a fantastic sear on the exterior of the steak.

Steps

  1. Next, pre-heat your oven to 435 degrees Fahrenheit, which you can do while the steak is resting.  I’ve heard people use temps anywhere from 400 – 475 degrees.  Remember, not all ovens cook at the same temperature, despite showing the same temperature….I’ve learned this lesson the hard way several times.  Once the oven is fully pre-heated, we’re ready to begin.
  2. Add a tablespoon of oil to the cast iron. If you bought bacon wrapped filet, you can remove the bacon and use the lard instead
    1. Either way, I do not cook these with the bacon on. I like crispy bacon so I just remove it.
  3. Turn up my burner to high and let the pan get nice and hot. Once you see the smoke rising from the top of the pan, you’re good to go.
  4. Now, Drop the steaks in the pan…DUH!
    1. I always follow the same formula for searing my steaks.
    2. Cook it on one side for 3 minutes and then I flip and let it cook on the other side for 1 minute. The reason I do this is because I’m going to put it in the oven where it will cook on the flipped side for several minutes at a lower heat.
  5. Once the steak has seared as I mentioned, go ahead and place it right in the oven on the middle rack.
  6. There’s no need to flip it – You should be able to achieve a medium rare internal temperature in about 6 – 8 minutes. The actual time can depend on a lot of factors….if you didn’t let your steak rest before cooking, it will take a bit longer as the center is cool.




Why Use An Oven?

We’re using a filet but this method works well for thick cut steaks like Strip steaks, ribeye, or Porterhouse.  This Filet Mignon steak is about 2” thick.

Because the Filet is so thick, if we try to cook it just on the stove, then it will take a very long time. …Also, the ends will tend to burn….if the exterior is over-charred, it will result in a very bitter flavor.  I know from experience.

Let’s Eat!

How will you know when it’s done?  Well, if you cook a lot of steaks you may be able to tell using the feel method – which I explain in my Porterhouse video.  However, if you’re unsure of the internal temp – you can never go wrong with an instant read digital thermometer.

I like my steak cooked medium rare and will pull it off at 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

It usually in the oven 7 minutes and I can tell from the feel, it is done.  Now, put it on the plate and let is rest another 5 minutes.  The resting will help the steak retain its juice as you cut and eat.

Also, if you like our videos, then please subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/2bS4dCm
All tha best!
Joe

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EASY Filet Mignon Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet - Video Recipe
Cast Iron Filet Mignon Steak
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Ingredients
Cast Iron Filet Mignon Steak
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 435 degrees Fahrenhei
  2. Add a tablespoon of oil to the cast iron
  3. Turn up my burner to high and let the skillet get nice and hot
  4. Once the skillet is hot, drop the steaks in the pan Cook it on one side for 3 minutes and then I flip and let it cook on the other side for 1 minute.
  5. Once the steak has seared as I mentioned, go ahead and place it right in the oven on the middle rack.
  6. There’s no need to flip it - You should be able to achieve a medium rare internal temperature (apx 140 degrees F) in about 6 – 8 minutes. The actual time can depend on a lot of factors….if you didn’t let your steak rest before cooking, it will take a bit longer as the center is cool.
  7. Remove steak from oven and skillet and let it rest another 5 minutes. The resting will help the steak retain its juice as you cut and eat.

11 Comments on “Filet Mignon Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet”

  1. Damn good stuff here Mr. Meatballs! Your timing and temps…perfect. I went w 5 at 435 cuz my steaks were small but sheesh this was good! Thank you much!

    1. Thank you for checking out our recipe and for this great feedback, very much appreciated!

  2. I love this method. Thank you for explaining everything so concisely and in an easy to understand way. My steaks come out perfectly every single time. I season simply, just salt and fresh ground pepper, and make a little herb butter with garlic, thyme and whatever else I am feeling that night (sometimes I use a little berbere seasoning – yum!). Always turns out superbly. Thanks!

    1. We really appreciate you taking the time to check out our site ….and leaving this great feedback for our community! You rock!

    1. Nothing makes us happier than receiving comments like this….thanks for taking the time to leave this review!

  3. Tried your recipe today and am totally disappointed with the results. You said to apply the rub liberally – came out way too salty. Also, we like our steak rare. We only cooked the first side 2 minutes and the second side for a minute, then checked the internal temp – it registered 120 – perfect rare so we didn’t even do the oven part. Ruined a two perfectly good pieces of filet. Next time we’ll revert back the way we’ve always cooked them stove top. Lightly salted, cooked in the iron skillet with just butter.

    1. Truly sorry to hear that. There’s a ton of variables when it comes to cooking steak – thickness, meat temp, pan temp, among others. I don’t know how you could get a thick filet cooked to 120F with 3 mins of cook time but I’m a big believer of “it’s your steak, make it how you like it!” In any event, thanks for checking out our site.

  4. I had those small steaks with bacon wrapped around them so I removed the bacon and cooked the bacon in the skillet. Cooked the steaks using the bacon grease 3 minutes on one side and 1 minute on the other side on the stovetop but only kept them in the oven for 5 minutes . They came out more medium than medium rare but was very tender and delicious. I also used thyme in addition to salt and pepper and added butter and minced garlic to the pan before putting them in the oven.

  5. Dumb question for a skillet novice!! Every time I attempt something in the skillet, my smoke alarm goes off. I keep all the windows open and turn the fan on but there’s still too much smoke. I added the tbsp of oil and heated the skillet on high until there was a little smoke. Followed everything else exactly. Any tips? Am I doing something wrong?

  6. Medium Rare is not 140 degrees – it’s like 120-125 degrees internal temp. You’re cooking it to medium or medium well.

    Signed

    French Chef

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