When it comes to fork-tender, perfectly cooked medium-rare steaks, this sous vide filet mignon recipe is flawless every single time. Finished with a perfect cast iron sear and topped with a rich steak sauce, this is restaurant-quality fine dining at home. But why is sous vide the perfect method for cooking this cut?
When it comes to the king of tender steaks, the filet mignon is it. This cut is famous for its fork-tender cut at steakhouses and fine dining establishments worldwide. Cut from the whole tenderloin, an underworked muscle on the back of the cow; it’s a lean cut with minimal marbling that is begging to be the center of the plate for romantic dinners and amazing date nights.
However, due to its minimal marbling, this cut suffers when cooked past medium and can dry out quickly. It also has a mild beef flavor, so pairing it with an amazing steak sauce recipe or rich compound butter to serve is always a great idea.
Although we love a pan-seared filet mignon on busy nights, it’s the best steak for the sous vide method because the precise temperature-controlled water bath guarantees the steak cooks to the perfect temperature. This cooking method is the only way to get the exact temperature from edge to edge for the best results—mitigating the risk altogether of drying out the meat. It’s science!
This sous vide steak is finished with a quick sear in a piping hot cast iron skillet to add a nice crust and help the overall appearance of the beef.
And, yes, it seems fancy, and yes, it is fun to sound like a French chef; the sous vide cooking method is easy, even easier than grilled filet mignon. Once you set the sous vide bath with the immersion circulator and drop the vacuum-sealed steaks in, you can work on the sides. This method is perfect for thicker steaks and prime rib roasts. It also works great for sous vide beef tenderloin if you’re feeding a crowd.
