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Perfect Filet Mignon Dinner Recipe Easy Romantic Anniversary Meal Ideas

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A quick and easy filet mignon recipe perfect for romantic dinners and special occasions, featuring a buttery herb butter finish and simple sides.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 filet mignon steaks (6 oz or 170 g each, 1.5โ€“2 inches thick)
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 fresh garlic cloves, smashed
  • 3โ€“4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon mild-flavored extra virgin olive oil
  • Optional: 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • Baby potatoes (about 12 oz or 340 g), halved
  • 8 asparagus spears

Instructions

  1. Bring steaks to room temperature by removing from fridge and letting sit covered on the counter for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400ยฐF (204ยฐC).
  2. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
  3. In a small bowl, combine softened unsalted butter with smashed garlic cloves and fresh thyme leaves. Mix until fragrant and set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Place steaks in pan and sear without moving for 3-4 minutes until golden-brown crust forms. Flip and sear other side for another 3-4 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add herb butter, smashed garlic, and thyme sprigs to pan. Tilt skillet and baste melted butter over steaks repeatedly for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Transfer skillet to preheated oven. Roast steaks until internal temperature reaches 130ยฐF (54ยฐC) for medium-rare or 140ยฐF (60ยฐC) for medium, about 5-7 minutes depending on thickness.
  7. Remove steaks from oven and transfer to warm plate. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes to redistribute juices.
  8. While steaks rest, roast or pan-sear sides: toss baby potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast at 400ยฐF (204ยฐC) for 20-25 minutes until golden; sautรฉ asparagus in olive oil with a pinch of salt for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
  9. Serve filet mignon topped with a dollop of leftover herb butter from the pan. Arrange sides alongside and drizzle any pan juices over the steak.

Notes

Pat steaks dry before seasoning for a better sear. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. Rest steaks after cooking to keep them juicy. You can substitute butter with ghee or plant-based alternatives for dairy-free options. Optional shallots add sweetness to pan sauce. Roasting sides alongside steak saves time.

Nutrition

Keywords: filet mignon, steak dinner, romantic dinner, anniversary meal, easy steak recipe, herb butter, pan-seared steak