This Cabernet Filet Mignon Steak recipe is so good and so simple to make! Enjoy the savory flavor of this steak drizzled with a Cabernet Wine Sauce.
Filet Mignon is the most tender cut of meat that will melt like butter in your mouth. It is also one of the most expensive cuts of meat so it is worth taking the effort to learn proper cooking techniques and temperatures for perfect steak. You can either cook the steak by Pan-Searing or a very easy technique called Sear-Roasting. Your friends and family will be so impressed when you cook for them with this sophisticated steak recipe.
Learn all about Cooking the Perfect Steak and also Cooking With Wine.
Please check out my Cabernet Filet Mignon dinner menu which includes this fantastic Cabernet Filet Mignon.
- 2 (4 to 6 ounces each) Filet Mignon (Beef Tenderloin) steaks, 1-inch thick*
- Olive oil
- 1/2 cup cabernet wine (can substitute any dry red wine of your choice)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons butter
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Remove your steaks from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you plant to cook them - sometimes as long as 60 minutes (depending on size). Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. You want to have a completely dry steak before cooking. If you steak is wet, you will essentially be steaming it! Coat steaks lightly with olive oil.
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Do not salt your steaks just before cooking. Salt brings moisture (water) to the surface of the steak, and the water sits on the surface as you cook the steak. Thus, you are again basically steaming the steak. I know that a lot of people do salt their steaks before cooking, but trust me and don't salt - the result will be juicy, delicious steaks to serve your family and guests! Salt after the steak is cooked to your liking, has rested the required time, and just before serving.
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Using the Pan-Searing or Sear-Roasting techniques (see below techniques), proceed to cook your steak to your desired doneness. You steak is done when the internal temperature registers 120 to 130 degrees F. on your instant-read meat thermometer:
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Rare - 120 degrees F.
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Medium Rare - 125 degrees F.
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Medium - 130 degrees F.
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What constitutes rare and medium-rare cooked meat? To satisfy government home economists, the Beef Council says rare beef means an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Well, that is ok if you like well-done and dry meat. If you like moist, rosy meat (like I do), rare begins when the internal temperature registers 120 degrees F. and starts to become medium rare at 125 or 130 degrees F. T o cook your meat properly, you must purchase and use a good instant-read digital meat thermometer.
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Residual Heat or Carry-Over Cooking: Remember, the steak will continue to cook as it sets. The temperature will rise to 125 degrees F. to 130 degrees F. internal temperature (medium rare) at 15 to 20 minutes. So, pay attention to how long you let the cooked steak sit before serving!
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Making Cabernet Wine Sauce: Add the wine to the pan and bring to a boil, scraping any pieces of steak off the bottom of the pan and stirring them into the emerging sauce. Let the liquid boil until reduced to approximately 1/3 cup. Remove pan from heat. Add the butter and mix it in by swirling the pan. Pour the sauce over your perfectly cooked steaks just before serving.
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Makes 2 servings.
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In a heavy frying pan (I use my cast iron frying pan) over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil.
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Sear the steaks, moving them with tongs a little so they don't stick to the bottom, approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side. Using this Pan-Searing technique, proceed to cook your steak to your desired doneness. Your steak is done when the internal temperature registers 120 to 130 degrees F. on your instant-read meat thermometer.
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When the steaks are crusty-charred and done to your liking, remove from the pan, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving. During this time the meat continues to cook (meat temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees internal temperature after it is removed from the oven) and the juices redistribute.
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Add any juices that accumulate from the resting steaks to Cabernet-Cherry Sauce. Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto individual serving plates.
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Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (a very hot oven produces a juicy interior). Place a 10- to 12-inch ovenproof skillet or cast-iron skillet in oven. When oven reaches 500 degrees F., remove pan from oven and place on range over high heat (the pan and the handle will be extremely hot - be careful).
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Immediately place steaks in the middle of hot, dry pan (if cooking more than one piece of meat, add the pieces carefully so that they are not touching each other). Cook 1 to 2 minutes without moving; turn with tongs and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and put the cast iron skillet with the steaks in it into the oven. Cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on thickness of steaks and degree of doneness you like. Using the Sear-Roasting technique, proceed to cook your steak to your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness.
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When the steaks are crusty-charred and done to your liking, remove from the pan, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving. During this time the meat continues to cook and internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees after it is removed from the oven) and the juices redistribute (add juices that accumulate from resting steaks to the Cabernet Sauce). Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto individual serving plates.
* When buying steaks, buy the best grade of meat you can afford. Look for steaks with fine texture and firm to the touch. You want the color to be a light cherry red color, not deep red. Also look for steaks that have marbling, as it is the thin threads of fat running through the meat that make it Prime and gives the wonderful flavor. Check out Types of Steaks and How To Cook the Perfect Steak.
I get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer. Originally designed for professional use, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world. I only endorse a few products, on my web site, that I like and use regularly.
You can learn more or buy yours at: Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer.
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Additional Outstanding Steak Recipes:
Beef Tenderloin Steaks Stuffed with Morels
Cabernet-Cherry Filet Mignon
Cabernet Filet Mignon
Chipotle Grilled Filets
Grilled Beef Tenderloin in Cabernet Sauce
Grilled Filet Mignon or T-Bone Steaks
Peppered Top Sirloin Steak
Steak Diane
Individual Beef Wellingtons witn Peppercorn Sauce
4 Responses to “Cabernet Filet Mignon Steak Recipe”
Nicholas K
Wonderful process! Steak was near perfect.
Nancy
Glad you enjoyed your steaks, there is nothing like a good steak, cooked right.
Alexandra
Tried this recipe nothing worked. The pan searing time is way too long at 5 minutes per side. Should be 3. Tenting should be be only 5 minutes max. I cooked for 5 minutes per side and tented 7 and my meat was well done in my cast iron skillet. The cabernet sauce was just awful. 1/2 cup of cabernet is not nearly enough and my sauce was flavorless. Needs more cabernet and salt. As directed by the recipe, the sauce tastes oily, flavorless and bland because there no garlic or shallot or herbs or salt. Don’t know how this recipe made it to the top of the google search results with only 2 prior reviews. Filet is expensive – Avoid this recipe at all costs!
Nancy
Alexandra, we highly promote using a meat thermometer, as noted in the recipe, when cooking as everyone will have a different thickness of meat;
From recipe instructions:
“Using the Pan-Searing or Sear-Roasting techniques (see below techniques), proceed to cook your steak to your desired doneness.You steak is done when the internal temperature registers 120 to 130 degrees F. on your instant-read meat thermometer:
Rare – 120 degrees F.
Medium Rare – 125 degrees F.
Medium – 130 degrees F.
What constitutes rare and medium-rare cooked meat? To satisfy government home economists, the Beef Council says rare beef means an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Well, that is ok if you like well-done and dry meat. If you like moist, rosy meat (like I do), rare begins when the internal temperature registers 120 degrees F. and starts to become medium rare at 125 or 130 degrees F. T o cook your meat properly, you must purchase and use a good instant-read digital meat thermometer.
Residual Heat or Carry-Over Cooking: Remember, the steak will continue to cook as it sets.The temperature will rise to 125 degrees F. to 130 degrees F. internal temperature (medium rare) at 15 to 20 minutes. So, pay attention to how long you let the cooked steak sit before serving!”
The cook should always monitor your meat temperature to decide on what stage of doneness you prefer your meat. We also provided a link to the internal temperature chart in the recipe instructions so you could find out more.
We’re truly glad that you wrote to let us know your experience so that we could help with your next steak.