Grilled Filet Mignon Recipe | Joyful Healthy Eats

The Best Grilled Filet Mignon Recipe

Sliced against the grain, this impressive grilled filet mignon reveals a stunning pink center that’s ultra juicy and tender like butter. With just three ingredients – filet mignon, salt, and pepper – it’s a gourmet meal right in your own kitchen.

The best part? This steak dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. Quickly cooked on a searing hot grill, you can enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, you still get that beautiful charred exterior and a succulently tender interior. All you need to do to ensure each bite is bursting with flavor is let the steaks rest a bit before slicing.

If you’re looking to impress friends and family with a restaurant-quality dish at home or just want to treat yourself, then it’s time to get grilling. You’ll get a gold-star from anyone you serve it to.

Sliced grilled filet mignon with a pink center.

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Steak

Good steak doesn’t require more than salt and pepper. It doesn’t even need oil!

Simple. You don’t need more than three ingredients and a hot grill to throw together this easy steak dinner.
Better than at restaurants. Flip the steaks in time to cook them just the way you like them. You also get to choose what sides to serve it with and whether or not to have a second helping.
Healthy. This recipe requires zero oil. You also have full control of the salt. Aren’t both of these things synonyms of a healthy dinner?

What Cut Of Meat Is Filet Mignon?

Filet mignon comes from the tenderloin, a muscle that cows barely use— making it super tender. It’s located near the spine, between the round and the loin. Filet mignon is only a small part of the tenderloin, so don’t confuse them for one another.

Recipe Ingredients

Feel free to use fresh or frozen filet mignon for this recipe. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

Filet mignon – If you use frozen, make sure it’s fully thawed.
Salt
Pepper

How to Grill Filet Mignon

The best grilled filet mignon recipe ever (this one) only requires 4 easy steps! Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.

Prepare the grill. Remove the steaks from the fridge and bring them down to room temperature. Heat the grill to high.

Seasoning the steaks with salt and pepper.

Season the steak. Pat the steaks dry on all sides with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. The larger/thicker they are, the more salt and pepper you’ll need.
Grill it. Place the seasoned steaks on the searing hot grill and close it. Don’t touch the grill. Check the recipe card for recommended cooking times.
Serve it. Remove the steaks from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Grilled Filet Mignon

Consider yourself a grill master if you start applying these tips to all of your grilled steak recipes!

Let it rest. Digging into a cooked steak the second it’s off the grill is tempting, but you’ll actually get juicier bites if you let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. It gives the juices time to redistribute.
Don’t use low heat. Cooking steak over low heat just dries out the meat. Always use a searing hot grill.
Slice against the grain. Because of the way the meat fibers are structured, slicing against the grain actually locks in the moisture (juices) and makes each piece more visually pleasing.
Use the right pepper. Freshly cracked black pepper is best. If you only have ground pepper, that’s okay. Avoid white pepper and pink pepper at all costs.

One whole grilled filet mignon and another sliced grilled filet mignon recipe.

How Long Do You Grill Filet Mignon?

Follow these internal temperature guidelines to prepare grilled filet mignon to your preferred doneness:

Rare: 120 F (3 to 4 minutes per side.)
Medium-rare: 130F (4 to 5 minute per side.)
Medium: 140F (5 to 6 minutes per side.)
Well-done: 150F+ (6 to 8 minutes per side.)

Common Questions

This section will explain what’s so special about filet mignon and what the best way to cook it is.

Should I season filet mignon?

Absolutely! Filet mignon doesn’t have as much fat, which means it needs the help of salt and pepper to bring out its flavor.

How often to flip filet mignon on the grill?

It depends on how well-done you like your steak. For rare, go for 3-4 minutes per side. For super well-done, go for 6-8 minutes per side. There are also all the in-betweens, which you can check in the section above this one for reference.

What’s so special about filet mignon?

It’s one of the best cuts of beef because of its delicate, buttery flavor. Additionally, filet mignon is quite lean so its “beef” flavor is very subtle. This makes it perfect for simple or elaborated dishes where the main star is the steak.

Two filet mignons with knobs of butter on top.

Serving Suggestions

I love this grilled filet mignon in a steak-and-frites dinner. Serve it with my Pommes Frites, Sweet Potato Fries, or Zucchini Fries. Other veggie side ideas include my Mashed Cauliflower, Corn on the Cob, and Air Fryer Asparagus. If you just want a simple salad, pair it with my Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing.

How to Store Leftover Grilled Steak

Once fully cooled, refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can store them whole or sliced. Keep it away from heat and sunlight when on the counter to avoid spoiling. To reheat it, sprinkle it with 1 teaspoon of water and microwave it for up to a minute. You can also heat it in a pan over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of the pieces.

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