Grilled Filet Mignon Recipe

Tender, juicy Grilled Filet Mignon is super simple to make. Keeping the ingredient list short is key to cooking perfect Filet Mignon in less than 30 minutes. The BEST grilled steak dinner you’ll ever make.

Smack in the middle of summer….here we are. It’s sweltering outside right now as we are currently enduring heatwave #4. And it’s not too bad, being that I LOVE the summer and I’m not wearing a giant puffer coat that limits my ability to move freely without knocking things over in a store.

Grilled Filet Mignon 

We are all about being outside as much as possible this year whether it’s in the pool or at the beach because winter is coming. It may be months away but every single day we wake up…it’s one day closer to freezing temps and non-grilling weather. And as much as I want baking season to hurry up and get here…..I can totally wait if it means I get to throw things on the grill like my favorite Filet Mignon.

Grilling outdoors is the BEST….it’s clean, there’s very little mess to clean up. Especially, if you use paper plates and paper towels and plastic utensils. The grill helps keep the messes outdoors, in the grill, where they’ll burn up into an ashy dust.

PLUS, grilling filet mignon is one of the best ways to cook your steaks. It helps ensure that you are left with a tender, buttery, juicy steak without breaking a sweat. Well, ok…maybe you’ll be sweaty from standing over a grill but you definitely won’t be sweating the fact that your steak is dry and terrible.

Another reason I love grilling filet mignon is that it’s somewhat forgiving, it’s actually really hard to cook it to well done accidentally. Because it’s usually a thicker cut of steak, you have more leeway when cooking it if you get distracted for 30 seconds. Or 5 minutes. That’s not to say you can just walk away and have a beer. It is a pretty pricey cut of steak so let’s not get all reckless here.

What is Filet Mignon

Filet mignon is a cut of beef taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin and is usually from a steer or heifer. In French this cut is always called filet de bœuf since filet mignon actually refers to pork tenderloin.

Wondering what the different is between Filet Mignon and Beef Tenderloin…. I always thought it was the same thing. It’s not. Filet Mignon is actually the steaks cut from the Beef Tenderloin Roast. So, the cooking methods are very different.

How to Grill Filet Mignon

Grilling Filet Mignon is crazy easy to do and you only need a couple ingredients to get started….literally, just salt and pepper….and a little olive oil but even the olive oil isn’t entirely necessary.

The olive oil will help prevent sticking but so will just waiting for the sear to happen….and your steak will just magically release easily from the grill grates. Seriously, it’s like magic!

Because Filet Mignon is a lean cut of beef, the olive oil can help amp up the richness of the steak. Also, lean meats will produce less flare ups than a fattier cut of steak like a porterhouse or ribeye steak. I tend to pull back on the extra oil with those cuts but you do you, here. 🙂

Preheat your gas grill, or prepare your charcoal grill, to medium-high heat.

Drizzle the steaks with olive oil, if using, rubbing to coat both sides.

Season the steaks liberally with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides. 

Place the steaks on the grill, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes.

Flip the filet mignon steaks over, cover and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked to approximately 120-125 degrees (rare-medium rare) using an instant read thermometer.

Transfer the steaks to a platter and cover with foil to rest for 10 minutes. (Your steaks will continue to cook while resting so be sure to pull them off the grill a few degrees before your desired temperature.)

What Grill Temperature for Grilling Filet Mignon

You’ll want to heat your grill to approximately 450˚F (or higher) to grill your steaks. If you’re using a charcoal grill, you’re going to want to place your filet mignon steaks directly over medium coals so you get a great sear.

Too low of a temperature will not allow your steaks to get a good sear and create the crusty exterior with the tender, juicy interior.

Pro Tips for Grilling Steak

• Select steaks that are approximately 2 inches in thickness or more. That size tends to do better on the grill.
• Before grilling, be sure to remove your steaks from the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes prior to grilling to allow them to come to room temperature. Skipping this step will cause your steaks to cook unevenly.
• Always PREHEAT your grill. A hot grill will help you create that much needed sear which locks in juices and keeps your steak tender.
• Season your filet mignon right before grilling. I love a simple salt and pepper but this easy grill seasoning works well, too.
• Place your steaks on the grill and close the lid. Do not open it, do not peek…leave your steaks to cook for the required amount of grilling time. Then open the lid, flip the steaks and close the lid again. Cook until the desired degree of doneness. Without peeking. 
• Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness, you can find one just about anywhere for pretty inexpensively and this is my most used kitchen tool when it comes to grilling. 
• ALWAYS allow your steaks to rest under a piece of foil for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute through the steak. Skip this step and your juices will run out all over the plate as soon as you cut into it leaving you with a dry steak.

Grill Time Chart

For best results, use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness.

For steaks cut approximately 1″ thick:

• Rare – 8-10 minutes (130 -135˚F)
• Medium Rare – 10-12 minutes (140˚F – Preferred cooking temp for Filet Mignon)
• Medium – 12-14 minutes (155˚F)

For steaks cut approximately 2″ thick:

• Rare – 12-14 minutes (130-135˚F)
• Medium Rare – 14-16 minutes (140˚F – Preferred cooking temp for Filet Mignon)
• Medium – 16-18 minutes (155˚F)

Medium rare steaks are best removed from the grill when the temperature reaches a temperature of 125 degrees on an instant read thermometer and then continue to cook while resting. It’s important to remove the filet mignon from the grill around that temperature to prevent overcooking.

I like to serve my Filet Mignon alongside this easy Horseradish Sauce but you can just add a pat of butter or drizzle with melted garlic butter for extra decadence.

What To Serve With It

Some of my favorite side dishes for Grilled Filet Mignon are:

• Easy Grilled Garlic Potatoes in Foil….our weekly go-to side dish.
• Flavorful Greek Salad with Feta….and not one lettuce leaf. 🙂
• Garlic Parmesan Baked Asparagus
• Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
• Southwest Style Potatoes in Foil…we love a foil recipe!

If you’re looking for other ways to amp up your steak you have to try this recipe for Oscar Style Filet Mignon….it’s so easy and amazing….and people will think you’re totally fancy. I also love to top with this simple Blender Hollandaise. It’s super simple and quick!

Want to see what else we’re firing up on the grill? Follow us over on Instagram!