Grilling filet mignon is easier than you think with just a few simple steps, good seasoning, and a thermometer. On your backyard gas grill—or any grill—you can cook a perfectly grilled, juicy, and fork-tender steak better than most steakhouses.
✅ Quick Answer: How Long to Grill Filet Mignon
Grill a 1 to 1½-inch filet for about 10–11 minutes total at 450°F for medium-rare (130°–135°F); add 2–3 minutes for thicker steaks.
Jump To (scroll for more)
Featured Comment by George:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"DrDan, you are the man! Just barbecued 3 fillet mignons for my birthday and followed your instructions to a tee. Best tasting and juiciest we've had in a long time. I almost feel like a master chef now."
💕 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Juicy & tender every time – Grilling locks in flavor and that buttery steakhouse texture.
- Beginner-friendly – Learn how to grill filet mignon with clear, simple steps for juicy, perfectly cooked steaks.
- Fast & easy – You’ll go from preheating to table in about 20 minutes.
- Simple seasoning – Salt, pepper, and high heat let the beef shine—no marinade or fancy rub needed.
- Restaurant quality at home – Grilled filet mignon on your gas grill without the $100 bill.
🐄 Ingredients
- Filet Mignon – About 1 to 1½ inches thick and 6–8 ounces each. Choose USDA Choice or Prime for the best tenderness and flavor.
- Seasoning – Keep it simple: kosher salt and black pepper bring out the natural flavor. Or use a seasoning mix like Montreal seasoning or my seasoning salt (salt, pepper, garlic) if you like.
- Optional: Garlic powder, rosemary, or thyme for a little extra flavor, or top the finished steaks with compound butter.
👨🍳 Quick Overview: Grilling Filet Mignon
1. Rest and Preheat: Let the steaks rest to room temperature (optional). Preheat your grill to 450°F. Season to taste.
✅ Pro Tip: For juicier steaks, salt either right before grilling or at least an hour ahead. Salt draws out moisture at first but reabsorbs it later, seasoning the meat from within.
2. Grill: Cook with the lid closed, flipping every 4–5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 130°–135°F (medium-rare).
✅ Pro Tip: Remove the steaks about 3–5 degrees early—carryover cooking during the rest will finish them perfectly.
3. Rest: Let the steaks rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
✅ Pro tip: Don’t skip the rest. It gives time for juices to redistribute, keeping the filet tender and moist.
👇 For complete step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card or keep reading for tips and doneness details.
⏰ How Long to Grill Filet Mignon (Doneness Guide)
A 1-inch filet mignon takes about 10–11 minutes total to reach medium-rare (130°–135°F). Grill over medium-high heat (about 450°F) with the lid closed. Thicker steaks (1½ inches) need 2–3 minutes more.
🔥 Estimated Gas Grill Times for a 1-inch Filet at 450°F:
Always cook to internal temperature, not just time and check it early.
- Rare (120°–125°F): 6–8 minutes total — cool red center.
- Medium-rare (130°–135°F): 10–11 minutes total — warm red center.
- Medium (140°–145°F): 12–14 minutes total — pink center.
- Medium-well (150°–155°F): 14–16 minutes total — slightly pink center.
- Well-done (160°F+): 16+ minutes total — little or no pink (not recommended).
⚠️ Rare Steak Note: Rare filets cook fast; check early. You can always return them to the grill for another minute if needed.
✅ Pro Tip: Remove the steaks from the grill 3–5 degrees early — carryover cooking during the rest will bring them to perfect doneness.
✔️ Tips for Grilling Filet Mignon
- Rest to room temperature before grilling. It helps the steak cook evenly and prevents a cold center.
- Preheat fully — about 450°F grill surface temperature. A hot grill gives a better sear, even cooking, and less sticking.
- Lightly oil the grill grates or brush the steaks with oil before grilling for better sear marks and easier release
- Use a grill surface thermometer. The hood gauge can be off by 100°F or more.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer. It’s the only way to know when your steak is done.
- Don’t skip the rest. After grilling, rest 5–10 minutes so juices redistribute and the filet stays tender.
Save this recipe!
Enter your email address and we'll send the link straight to your inbox!
🐄 Choosing the Best Filet Mignon
- Buy USDA Choice or Prime. Prime has the best marbling and tenderness, but Choice still delivers great flavor when cooked properly.
- Pick the right thickness. Steaks about 1 to 1½ inches thick are the best size for individual servings and grill evenly to any doneness. Thicker cuts are harder to cook well and mainly suited for rare or medium-rare.
- Even sizing matters. Choose filets that are similar in size and weight — it makes your life easier, and they’ll cook evenly.
- Skip lower grades. Select or ungraded beef tends to be leaner and less tender — not worth the savings.
📋 Other Steak Recipes
Looking for more steakhouse-quality results at home? Try these easy recipes—all beginner-friendly and made for the gas grill:
- Grilled Ribeye Steaks – Big flavor and perfect for searing.
- Grilled New York Strip Steaks – A classic, tender, and juicy.
- Grilled Sirloin Steaks – Leaner but still full of flavor.
- Grilled Porterhouse Steaks – Get both a strip and tenderloin in one steak.
Want a stovetop method? Try my Pan-Seared Filet Mignon—a simple sear and oven finish for tender, juicy results every time.
Pan Seared Filet Mignon
The perfect Filet Mignon Recipe uses the tried-and-true sear and oven-bake method to get moist, tender, and flavorful filet ever/y time
🍷 Perfect Sides and Wine Pairing
You’ve already done the hard part — now let the sides and wine do the rest.
- Classic sides: Baked potatoes, roasted or grilled vegetables, green beans, or a simple salad.
- Grill-friendly picks: Grilled asparagus, corn on the cob, or crusty bread.
- Toppings: Add a pat of butter, garlic herb butter, or my favorite—Blue Cheese Garlic Butter—for a final flavor boost.
- Wine pairing: Go with a red like Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet. Or pop a sparkling wine if you’re celebrating.
❄️❄️ Storage and Leftovers
- Store leftover steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Slice it before storing for easier reheating.
- To reheat, place the steak on a rack in a 250°F oven until just warm — about 15 minutes. Or enjoy it cold on a salad or sandwich.
- For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
❓ FAQs
A 1-inch filet takes about 10–11 minutes total on a 450°F gas grill to reach medium-rare (130°–135°F). Thicker steaks (1½ inches) need 2–3 minutes longer. Always cook to internal temperature with a thermometer, not just time.
Filet mignon is best at 130°–135°F for medium-rare or 140°–145°F for medium. Remove from the grill 3–5 degrees early to allow for carryover cooking. The USDA recommends a minimum of 145°F + 3-minute rest for safety.
You can — but you really don’t need to. Filet mignon is naturally tender, so a marinade won’t help texture. I keep it simple with salt and pepper. If you want more flavor, try a quick Steak Marinade or use compound butter after grilling.
Nope — don’t do it. The outside will overcook before the inside thaws, leaving you with a dry crust and cold center. Always thaw filet mignon fully in the refrigerator before grilling.
Filet mignon comes from the beef tenderloin, one of the most tender muscles on the cow. It’s lean, mild in flavor, and prized for its soft, buttery texture. You may also see it called beef tenderloin steak or simply filet.
📖The Recipe Card
How to Grill Filet Mignon (Juicy & Tender Gas Grill Recipe)
Video Slideshow
Ingredients
- 2 Filet mignon - About 1 to 1½ inches thick, 6-8 oz each.
- Kosher salt and coarse pepper - or seasoning of choice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Rest the steaks
- Start with quality filets, 1 to 1½ inches thick. Let them rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before grilling.
Preheat the grill and season:
- Heat the grill to a surface temperature of about 450°F (medium-high on most gas grills). Clean and oil the grates well.
- Pat the filets dry with paper towels. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper or your favorite steak seasoning.
Grill
- Place the filets on the grill and close the lid. Grill the first side for 4–5 minutes (less for rare). Rotate halfway through for crosshatch grill marks. Flip and continue grilling until your desired internal temperature is reached—about 10–11 minutes total for medium-rare.
Rest
- Remove from the grill and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Choose USDA Prime or Choice filet mignon for the best tenderness and flavor.
- Preheat fully — 450°F is the ideal surface temperature. Use a grill surface thermometer if possible.
- Always cook to internal temperature, not just time. Use a thermometer for accuracy.
- Salt either just before grilling or at least 1 hour ahead. Avoid seasoning in between.
- Don’t skip resting after grilling; juices will redistribute and the internal temperature will rise a few degrees.
- For rare steaks, watch carefully and remove early — you can always cook longer, but you can’t uncook.
- Filet mignon is best at 130°–135°F for medium-rare. Always cook to your preferred internal temperature — see full doneness guide in the tips section.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)
Editor's Note: Originally Published June 1, 2014. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Ann says
We never have filets at home that is always a restaurant meal for us, but decided to cook them up for Thanksgiving this year since there would only be us two and boy are we were glad we did! They were delicious per your cooking tips. Thanks so much for the instructions & this will not be our last time cooking them!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Ann,
Welcome to the blog. Glad you enjoyed the filets.
Thanks for the note and rating.
Dan
Linda Schulter says
Any advice for cooking filets indoors during the fall/winter seasons when we typically don't grill outside?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Linda,
Welcome to the blog.
It is linked early in the blog post... it looks almost like an ad but the direct link is https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/pan-seared-oven-roasted-filet-mignon/
It has a brief pan searing then transferred to the oven to finish. Very simple and is the way most restaurants will cook. You can skip the searing and add about 7-10 minutes to the oven time. But the searing will add a lot of great flavors.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Dan
Ken Crass says
You state that you should be careful about seasoning and do it right before you grill. Seasoning with salt up to 24 hours before cooking makes a huge difference in the texture and flavor of a steak . Salt dissolves protein strands into gel which allows them to retain water better as they cook .Water makes meat more tender and juicy. I suggest salting as early as possible before cooking-up to 24 hours before but not less than 1 hour. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the results! Read Salt,Fat,Acid,Heat by Samin Nosrat.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Yes, you can salt long before cooking. You just should not do it between 0 to 60 minutes or it will pull water out and not allow time to reabsorb. If you can't do more than an hour then do it immediately before cooking.
Dan
Kathy Howarth says
Have you ever grilled a whole filet?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Kathy,
Welcome to the blog.
The answer is no and probably never will, we just don't host that sort of meal anymore. It would require a large grill and probably indirect cooking but not in the low and slow range. So look around, I'm sure others have.
I do have a whole tenderloin recipe, it was one of the first on the blog, the photos were lost and it is by no means up to my current post standards but it was very delicious. I keep it for reference for my family. https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/beef-tenderloin-part-4-tenderloin-roast/
Dan
edward weinstein says
not a grill master , but someone that likes alcohol , poured shots of every thing i had and put it on the steaks ,everyone loved the taste .did it while the filet mignon were grilling ! cant remember what i did but they were unbeleivable in taste ! just a note the alcohol burned off !
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Welcome to the blog.
I have no idea why I let that be posted.
Dan
Unduescallywag says
I guess if your drunk enough pretty much everything tastes good.
Walter "Woody" Hope says
The thermometer you want has a shaft of about 7" long by about 3/16" diameter. Do not use one of those meat thermometers with a glass shaft about 1/4" diameter. Those are for roasts, if for anything at all. The former minimizes juice leakage.
In one swift fluid motion: One at a time, grab the sides of the filet with sturdy but lightweight metal tongs, pull it off the grill and land it on a stable solid plate on a flat surface, poke the thermometer so the tip ends up in the center of the thickest part (the thermocouple is in the TIP), read the high point and either pull to rest or tong it back on the grill ASAP. BTW Dr. Dan, this recipe is how I have always done my filets...same page we are, sir!
Patrick Martin says
Great instructions. I had stopped cooking steaks at home but I cooked three filets tonight following your directions and they came out perfectly!
Jess says
Perfect! Thank you so much. Our entire family devoured the steaks!
Alan Lamb says
My wife was smiling from ear-to-ear upon eating our two filet mignon cuts this evening! Your directions were perfect and you definitely helped make my evening!
Cristian says
Breaking in a new grill with this recipe and the steaks came out 👌🏽 perfect!
Thank you!
George Pattakos says
DrDan, you are the man! Just barbecued 3 fillet mignons for my birthday and followed your instructions to a tee. Best tasting and juiciest we've had in a long time. I almost feel like a master chef now. Wish I could do it with a roast now.
Barbara Smith says
I’ve been trying to sign up for your email letters, and I can’t access the Captcha pictures. It’s off to the side and very small.
Can you help me?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Barbara,
Welcome to the blog. I signed you up. It is not much of a newsletter, just a notification when something is published. You should get an email to confirm you want it. Also, very easy to unsubscribe.
Thanks for the notes and glad your steaks came out well
Dan
Barbara Smith says
Thank you Dr Dan!
I’ve never been able to cook steaks. I used your recipe, and my filet turned out perfectly!!
Christy Johnson says
Hi there! Hey I'm grilling 12 filets at the same time, does this make a difference on that time frame? I thought about 7 minutes flip 7 minutes. Then take them off rest until the corn is done which will be on the top shelf which will be about 6-8 minutes more. My daughter is skeptical I can do it but dog gone it I'm going to try! I use a gunpowder seasoning our local butcher has prepared it's great! Have no idea what it consists of but it sure is delicious!
Thanks for any suggestions you can give me! I got a picky daughter!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Christy,
Welcome to the blog.
The cooking time should not vary any just don't crowd them together. Don't forget there are variables in the cooking time, exact grill temperature, the thickness of the meat, the temperature of the meat when it goes on the grill.
One final hint, the main issue with most large grillings is overcooking. So if somebody wants rare, pay special attention. And remember, you can always toss the meat back on the grill for a few minutes but you can not uncook something.
Dan
Cottage Bob says
Must be nice. 10 ounces here costs 20 bucks.
John Cavuto says
Be very wary of the grill times. I followed a number of sites for a 1 inch to 1.5 inch piece. Most came in around 10 minutes total. I did 9 and ended up with something between medium and well. Just cook it like you would a ribeye - total 6 minutes tops.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi John,
Welcome to the blog.
May I ask the grill surface temperature you had?
I just did two tonight with a surface temp right on 450. They were 1 1/2 inch thick and toke exactly 15 minutes to 135-140. That is why I emphasize using grill surface temperature, the final internal temperature and not time to cook things like this.
I suspect the grill temperature is the difference.
Dan
Bill says
Good info. Someone mentioned finding Prime beef at Sams Club. I never have myself in our central Florida clubs but Costco regularly has Prime steaks and entire loins, sometimes trimmed. Really fine beef.
When you’re steaks are 2” or more how much longer do you cook per side or do you add additional time under the grill hood but indirect heat not over the flames?
DrDan says
Hi Bill,
Welcome to the blog.
I agree, I have never seen prime anything at Sams but their choice seems extra good. I get prime at me local meat market for extra special times. I don't have a local Costco but that would be a great thing.
For extra thick (more than 1 1/2 inches). The problem is getting the right internal temperature without burning or at least over cooking the outside. If you're aiming for rare/medium rare, you can probably just follow these instructions.
If you want to more cooked inside, I would decrease the surface temperature by 50 degrees and increase the time some. That way, you have a temperature gradient longer before the outside is a problem. You could also move them to an indirect heat area. As always, cook to a final internal temperature.
Dan