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.
Related Recipes:
Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
How to Grill a Strip Steak on a Gas Grill
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.
Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.
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Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.
Originally Published June 1, 2014
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