Filet Mignon Temperatures: What Temperature Is It Done?
288 Comments
Filet mignon is typically cooked to 130-135°F for medium-rare and 140–145°F for medium. For food safety, the USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for beef steaks, followed by a 3-minute rest. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the steak. Cooking time can vary with the steak's thickness and cooking method, so temperature is a more reliable guide than the clock.
Filet mignon is one of the most tender cuts of beef, and its delicate texture makes temperature especially important. A few degrees can make the difference between a juicy, tender center and a steak that is more cooked than you intended.
Never use a steak’s appearance or touch to assume you correctly cooked it. Because leaner cuts like filet mignon contain less fat, always use a TempPro Meat Thermometer to ensure the internal temperature matches filet mignon medium rare temp, filet mignon medium temp or any other requested doneness.
Table of Contents
Filet Medium Temperature Knowledge Base
A filet refers to a cut of steak, chicken, fish, pork or some other meat. A butcher has cut the filet to remove the bones. When you cook or serve a filet medallion – in addition to being boneless – the cut is:
- Round and tender;
- Small – usually, the filet is no larger than three or four ounces.
When a tenderloin meets the above criteria, you usually have filet mignon. In French, mignon means dainty or cute.
While people use tenderloin and filet interchangeably, think of filet mignon as a subset. Tenderloin itself is larger – the cut comes from an animal’s loin region. That part of the animal remains lax. As a result, the tendons remain soft. When butchered, the loin becomes tender.
You may get beef tenderloin or a roast from this area. When you take a smaller beef medallion from the tenderloin, you end up with filet mignon. This round and petite filet usually measures less than two inches in diameter.
Now that you know where filet comes from, look at why it remains an expensive and desirable cut for steak lovers. Those reasons include:
- Quality – many people consider filet mignon one of the most tender steak cuts. Filet is of high quality and tender because the tendons never get overworked. Most experts agree that medium rare filet mignon temp remains the best doneness, nothing that anything else comprises the quality and flavor.
- Size – the petite size plays a role in the cost. Grocery stores, butchers and restaurants usually price steak per pound. When it comes to tenderloin, an animal – on average – only has slightly over a pound. This is why most weigh between three to four ounces.
- Thickness – when speaking about the tenderness, you must look at thickness. Butchers cut a filet thinner than other steaks. The average thickness ranges between 1 inch and 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
What Temperature Should a Filet Mignon be for Medium?
Filet is well known for its versatile cooking methods. When you follow proper cooking times for the desired doneness, the internal temperature will measure the same when using a TempPro Meat Thermometer.
To ensure you cook filet medium temp, follow the below based on preparation.
When grilling:
- Grill a 1-inch filet for 12 to 15 minutes, turning it over once. Then, use your food thermometer to ensure you achieved a temperature of around 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For a 1 1/2-cut, increase the grilling time to around 18 to 28 minutes, until you reach a temperature of 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
When you indirect grill, do not turn the steak over. The air acts as the oven, so eliminate that step. Based on the thickness of the cut, use the below guidelines:
- Indirect grill a 1-inch cut for 20 to 24 minutes – your thermometer should read between 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For a 1 1/2-cut, grill the filet for 26 to 28 minutes – until you reach the same temperature range.
When broiling:
- You should achieve a reading of 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit – and medium doneness – when you broil a 1-inch filet for 15 to 18 minutes.
- Broil a 1 1/2-inch cut for around 22 to 27 minutes to achieve medium doneness. Your food thermometer should read 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Long Should You Cook Medium Rare Filet Mignon?
Cooking time always comes down to doneness and checking that against the internal temperature by using a TempPro Meat Thermometer. Remember, based on the cooking method, the only variables that change are the cooking time and doneness. The internal temperature remains constant based on the type of doneness like medium rare.
When grilling to a medium rare filet temp, use the below timings to reach at least 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit:
- Grill a 1-inch cut for around 10 to 12 minutes.
- For a 1 1/2-inch cut, increase the grilling time to 15 to 19 minutes.
When it comes to medium-rare filet mignon grill temp, follow the below times to reach the needed internal temperature of 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit:
- Grill a 1-inch cut for around 16 to 20 minutes.
- For a filet that measures 1 1/2 inches in diameter, indirect grill for 22 to 25 minutes.
When broiling:
- A 1-inch cut has a cooking time of 12 to 14 minutes before it reaches medium rare. That equates to a temperature of 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When broiling a 1 1/2-inch cut, cook for 18 to 21 minutes – here too the temperature reading will equal the same.
Filet Mignon Internal Temp Chart
Food safety guidelines and how chefs recommend a steak preparation do not always align. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that all steaks have a minimum temperature of 145 degrees – that translates into the medium doneness category. However, that recommendation is higher than what many chefs and steak enthusiasts suggest. If a guest does not have a preference, medium rare remains the most popular one; this means the temperature clocks in at a range of 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
No matter the cooking method – or how long you cook filet mignon – always use a TempPro Meat Thermometer to check meat doneness, including filet medium temp. Use the below doneness guidelines:
- Extra rare or blue – your reading ranges from 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rare – for this doneness, the temperature must read between 120 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Medium rare – make sure your thermometer registers between 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 54 degree Celsius.
- Medium – look for a temperature between 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Medium well – for steaks at this doneness, the temperature clocks in between 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Well done – for a filet mignon that has no signs of pink left, the temperature reading comes in at 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
| Doneness | Internal Temperature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rare | 120-125°F | Cool to warm center with a deep red color |
| Medium-rare | 130–135°F | Warm, pink to red center with a soft texture |
| Medium | 140–145°F | Warm pink center with a firmer texture |
| Medium-well | 150–155°F | Slightly pink center with a firmer texture |
| Well-done | 160°F+ | Little to no pink with a firm texture |
Tip: Typically, you rest a cut for about five minutes before serving. That means the cut could continue to increase or decrease in temperature, which accounts for the range.
How to Check Filet Mignon Temperature
When cooking filet mignon, even if the outside looks properly grilled or broiled, it does not automatically mean the internal temperature matches the desired doneness. Your filet could taste and look tough on the outside but remain uncooked in the middle. Because doneness always equates to a specific temperature range, use a TempPro Meat Thermometer as below, along with the doneness guide, and cook your filet mignon like a professional each time.
If you want to monitor your filet mignon without repeatedly opening the grill or oven, the TempPro TempSpike TP962 Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer offers a convenient option. Its two truly wireless probes let you monitor two steaks or different foods at the same time, while the TempPro App provides real-time temperature tracking and custom temperature alerts. The thermometer has a Bluetooth range of up to 500 feet in open areas.
- Two truly wireless probes: Monitor two steaks or cooking zones simultaneously.
- Up to 500-ft Bluetooth range: Check temperatures from a distance while your steak cooks.
- Real-time temperature monitoring: Track internal and ambient temperatures as you cook.
- Custom temperature alerts: Get notified when your filet mignon reaches your target temperature.
- Works with different cooking methods: Use it for grilling, roasting, smoking, and other cooking setups.
To check the temperature of filet mignon:
- Insert the probe into the thickest part of the steak. Aim for the center, where the temperature is most important.
- Avoid touching the pan or grill grate. The probe should measure the temperature of the meat, not the cooking surface.
- Check the temperature before removing the steak from the heat. Compare the reading with your target doneness.
- Let the steak rest before slicing. The internal temperature can continue to change slightly as the steak rests.
For filet mignon, insert the probe into the thickest part of the steak and use the temperature reading to determine when it has reached your preferred doneness. If you're cooking for food safety, follow the USDA recommendation for beef steaks of at least 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest.
Final Thoughts
Cooking filet mignon to the right temperature is easier when you have a reliable meat thermometer to take the guesswork out of doneness. Whether you're grilling, roasting, or cooking steak in the oven, the right thermometer can help you monitor the internal temperature and cook with greater confidence.
Looking for a deal on cooking tools? Visit the TempPro Clearance Sale to find limited-time savings on select meat thermometers and kitchen essentials.
Comments
Recommended Products
