Filet Mignon: sear + oven at 425°F for about 6 min (after sear). Internal temp: 120°F rare · 130°F med-rare · 140°F medium.
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Safe Internal Temp
120°F rare · 130°F med-rare · 140°F medium
Cooking Methods
↕ Slide the temperature to see how cook times change
your temp
425°F
cook time
~6min (after sear)
Low & slow 400°450° Hot & fast
✎ Sear 2–3 min/side in ripping hot cast iron, then oven.
Doneness Chart
Doneness
Target
Pull Temp
What to Expect
Rare
120°F
115°F
Cool red center, buttery soft
Medium-Rare
130°F
125°F
Warm red center, yielding
Medium
140°F
135°F
Warm pink center, firmer
Medium-Well
150°F
145°F
Slight pink, firm
Well-Done
160°F
155°F
No pink, firm throughout
Pull temp = when to remove from heat. Carryover cooking raises the temp 5–10°F as it rests.
Food Safety
USDA recommends steaks reach 145°F with a 3-minute rest. Filet mignon is a whole-muscle cut — bacteria only lives on the surface, which searing kills. Medium-rare (130°F) is the most popular doneness for filet and is widely considered safe. Always use a thermometer — this cut is too expensive to guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best tips for cooking filet mignon?
Bring to room temp 30 min before. Pat dry. Salt generously. Sear hard. Rest 5–8 min. Butter baste is classic.
What internal temperature should filet mignon reach?
USDA recommends steaks reach 145°F with a 3-minute rest. Filet mignon is a whole-muscle cut — bacteria only lives on the surface, which searing kills. Medium-rare (130°F) is the most popular doneness for filet and is widely considered safe. Always use a thermometer — this cut is too expensive to guess.
What are the doneness temperatures for filet mignon?
Rare: 120°F (pull at 115°F). Medium-Rare: 130°F (pull at 125°F). Medium: 140°F (pull at 135°F). Medium-Well: 150°F (pull at 145°F). Well-Done: 160°F (pull at 155°F). Pull temp is when to remove from heat — carryover cooking raises the temp 5–10°F during rest.
How do you sear + oven filet mignon?
Sear + Oven at 8–5 min (after sear). Sear 2–3 min/side in ripping hot cast iron, then oven.
How do you grill filet mignon?
Grill at 4–5 min/side. Thick cut handles high heat well. Rest 5 min.
How do you sous vide filet mignon?
Sous Vide at 2–3 hrs. Sear 1 min/side after. Perfect edge-to-edge doneness.
