Learn How to Grill a Filet Mignon on a Gas Grill with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions with great results.
A very special meal for very special times or as an everyday surprise. Grilled Filet Mignon is as good as it sounds and it can be yours with this simple technique.
I consider filet the king of all meats. If I want something very special, this is it. I usually buy the whole beef tenderloin, and a 6 to 8 oz filet will only really cost you about $6-8 which is less than a fast food trip.
My Rating
An absolute 5. The filet is always a five, but this is a great 5.
Pro Tips: Notes on How to Grill Filet Mignon:
The Meat - What is Filet Mignon?
Since this is a "how to" post, we will start with how to buy the meat. For those not in the know, a filet mignon is cut from whole beef tenderloin AKA a pismos.
You can buy pre-cut, and it will be a bit more expensive, but I usually buy the whole tenderloin and cut my own. There are many methods of trimming. Here is a YouTube Video. I like about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. It does freeze great.
How to Buy Filet Mignon
QUALITY DOES MATTER. It is all about quality here. Prime is the top 2%; you can't find it (it goes to the absolute best restaurants), and you don't want to pay the price.
Next is USDA Choice. About half the beef sold in the USA is choice, and this is what you should buy usually. It will be about $10-15 per pound for the whole tenderloin.
USDA Select is next but just say no.
The grill
You need to know your grill. We are going to use direct heat here with a grill surface temperature of about 450 up to but not over 500. On my grill (which is very hot) that is just above 50%. On more normal grills it should be about 75% but get a $10 grill surface thermometer and get to know your grill.
See A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill for more details on grill surface temperature.
When is your filet done?
Your endpoint is the internal temperature you want or a little less. DO NOT COOK BY TIME ALONE.
The seasoning.
The timing of the seasoning is important. Do not put salt on the meat for more than a few minutes unless you are going to do 60 minutes or more.
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Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
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How to Grill a T-bone or Porterhouse Steak – A Tutorial
Pan Seared Oven Roasted Filet Mignon
Start with quality filets. I like a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch thick that will be 6-8 ozs. each.
One of the most important steps is resting the filets at room temperature for 30 or so minutes. This raises the temperature of the meat making getting your desired internal temperature much easier. While it is resting, get your grill temperature of about 450. Just over medium for me but more medium-high on lesser grills. Of course, clean and oil the grill.
Give the filets seasoning of your choice. Do it just before grilling. I use a nice sprinkling of my 7:2:2 seasoning but just a nice sprinkle of coarse salt and pepper will do.
Place the filets on the grill. Close the lid. Grill on the first side for 6 minutes. Rotate half the way through for these nice crossed grill marks. Flip and grill until you reach the correct internal temperature for your taste. For me, I do another 6 minutes (with the rotation) and get 145-150 internal temperature.
Remove and rest for 5 minutes minimum. A light foil tent is a good idea here.
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How to Grill a Filet Mignon on a Gas Grill
Ingredients
- 2 Filet Mignon - about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch thick. They will be about 6-8 oz each.
- 7:2:2 seasoning or just coarse salt and pepper
Instructions
- Start with quality filets. I like a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch thick that will be 6-8 ozs. each.
- One of the most important steps is resting the filets at room temperature for 30 or so minutes. This raises the temperature of the meat making getting your desired internal temperature much easier.
- While the filets are resting, get your grill surface temperature about 450. Just over medium for me but more medium high on lesser grills. Please be sure the surface temperature is correct. This is the most common souce of errors. See A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill for details if you are not sure. Of course, clean and oil the grill.
- Give the filets seasoning of your choice. Do it just before grilling. I use a nice sprinkling of my 7:2:2 seasoning but just a nice sprinkle of coarse salt and pepper will do.
- Place the filets on the grill. Close the lid. Grill on the first side for 6 minutes. Rotate half the way though for these nice crossed grill marks. Flip and grill until you reach the correct internal temperature for your taste. For me, I do another 6 minutes (with the rotation) and get 145-150 internal temperature.
- Remove and rest for 5 minutes minimum. A light foil tent is a good idea here.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- Quality of the meat matters a lot here. Prime or choice, please.
- Medium to medium-high grill with a surface temperature of about 450.
- Be sure the grill surface temperature is correct. This is the most common source of problems. See A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill for details.
- Rest to room temperature first.
- Season 1 hour before cooking or just before cooking. Not between.
- Your endpoint is the internal temperature you want or a little less. DO NOT COOK BY TIME ALONE.
- Rest tented with foil for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Originally Published June 1, 2014
Alan Lamb
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!
George Pattakos
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
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
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
Thank you Dr Dan!
I’ve never been able to cook steaks. I used your recipe, and my filet turned out perfectly!!
Christy Johnson
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 the bomb! 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
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
Must be nice. 10 ounces here costs 20 bucks.
John Cavuto
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
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
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
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
Steve
Novice question: do you close the grill after turning the steaks over?
DrDan
Closed. A good general rule is under 1/2 inch thick - open is usually ok. Between 1/2 to 1 inch - usually closed since you can control the temperature better. Over one inch is always closed.
Dan
Carol
Will it make a big difference if I have to put foil on the grill?
Kashlee
Thanks so much! Here goes nothing!
ken
i never rip anybody for their expertise.....your posting should be nothing more than a suggestion---if somebody screws it up, the blame falls on them.....I look at posts like this to make sure I am on the right track....looks like this Sunday it is fillets on the grill...thanks for your effort
Thomas Bailey
Theodore YOU SIR ARE A ASS .HE WAS STRAIGHT TO THE POINT AND WHAT HE SAID MADE IT VERY EASY AND GOOD. HE'S NOT THERE TO BE YOUR FRIEND IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT GET A DOG. HAVE A NICE DAY
Richard Burns
Thomas, Why must you SHOUT? It is very rude.
Jerome
Question from an absolute amateur - best way to gauge internal temperature? I know they make thermometers you insert into the meat, but doesnt that dry it out?
DrDan
Hi Jerome,
If you poke it 20 times, you might be able to tell the difference. But a few pokes are fine. The whole key to cooking like this is grill temperature (see https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/grill-temperature/ ) and the internal temperature of the meat. So a good meat thermometer is really required to get it right. You can get a $10 el-cheapo and it will work fine, it just won't last too long. You can get something at a big box store or I have some links in my shop.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Dan
Andrea Blondell
Thank you so much for your help!! Your instructions were amazing and very easy to follow!! Tho my family and I grill on a regular basic filet mignon has always been something I was scared to attempt!! Not anymore thanks to you!!