Prime Filet Mignon Steak

A properly cooked filet mignon is buttery, juicy, and subtly beefy — not as robust or rich as a well-marbled ribeye or a New York strip steak, but that subtlety means you can pair this tender cut with a wide variety of seasonings, sauces, and marinades.

Filet is expensive because it’s limited in quantity (each cow only has two tenderloins) and because it’s so consistently tender and delicious. You’re paying for the quality of the beef as well as the unforgettable experience that comes with eating such a superior steak.

The main difference between beef tenderloin and filet is that tenderloin is the large subprimal and filet mignon is a slice or piece of that subprimal. The most prized filets come from the center of the tenderloin, but the end cuts are equally tasty.

Filet mignon is a French term, with “mignon” translating to cute or dainty. So, filet mignon, as a whole, translates to a cute or dainty filet, referring to the steak’s delicate and tender cut and highlighting its smaller size.

Filet mignon is one of the most popular steakhouse cuts because it’s tender, juicy, and relatively lean. Its innate flavor profile is tasty all on its own, but filet also takes well to all kinds of sauces, seasonings, and marinades. In short, it’s versatile, memorable, and a surefire crowd-pleaser.