How Long Do You Grill Filet Mignon

Filet Mignon is the most tenderest and succulent of the beef steaks and as a consequence is the most expensive. For this reason alone, many cooks no matter how experienced, take great care when grilling this beautiful of fillet steaks. The fear of overcooking, burning or simply ruining this cut of meat strikes fear into the cook!

Take heart however, given grilling Filet Mignon is not a difficult process but just takes focus and attention during the cooking process. The first tip I can give you for the best results in grilling your Filet Mignon is to ensure that the steak is bought up to room temperature before cooking. This basically allows the meat to cook consistently and reduces the overall grilling time. Leave the steaks out of the refrigerator for around 45 minutes prior to cooking.

The next step is of course seasoning. This is really down to personal preference but just bare in mind that this amazing steak has a flavour and personality all of its own and generally doesn’t require anything other than a sprinkling of freshly ground pepper. I personally do not use salt given it tends to help in drawing out the meat juices whilst cooking and we really are looking to keep as much of the succulence inside the steak.

Now it is time to think about cooking your Filet Mignon – turn on your grill to the highest setting and bring up to maximum heat.

Once your grill is ready carefully place your steaks on the grill pan (primary importance is not to stab, rip, poke the steak given we want consistent surface areas which again ensures that your juices remain locked inside the steak) and grill for 2 minutes without any intervention for the cook(!) 2 minutes will give you a medium rare finish 3 minutes for medium.

After 2 or 3 minutes we now need to rotate the steak 90 degrees (we are not turning yet but just rotating) – this will have the effect of achieving those lovely grill marks on the steak surface and leave grilling for a further 3 minutes for medium rare, 4 minutes for medium.

So far our cooking time for this Filet Mignon is standing at 5 minutes for medium rare, 7 minutes for medium.

Next, after the previous 2 minutes have elapsed, we are going to flip our Filet Mignon (the only time we will). Gently use a spatula and flip over and then leave for a further 2 minutes. Now we need to again turn 90 degrees (as we did previously) and grill for a further 2 minutes.

A good trick to test your Filet Mignon is to gently depress your finger on the top of steak, if it leaves an indentation it will be rare, a medium grilled steak will allow you to push your finger into the surface but will not leave an indentation. If it is firm and has a distinctive lack of movement when pressed you can consider this steak to be well done.

Your steak is now nearly ready, but not quite ready to eat just yet! The final step is to leave your Filet Mignon ‘resting’ for 2 minutes, this is to ensure that the excited cooking juices do not simply spill out when you first cut your steak but instead redistribute back into the meat leaving you will without doubt, the best cooked Filet Mignon you will have ever cooked!

Enjoy!