Cabernet Cherry Filet Mignon Steak Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

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Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

Author: What's Cooking America

• 4(4 to 5 ounce) 1-inch thickFilet Mignon(Beef Tenderloin) steaks*
• Olive oil
• 2clovesgarlic,minced
• 1 1/2cupsCabernet Sauvignonor burgundy wine
• 3tablespoonsbalsamic vinegar(good-quality)
• 4wholecloves
• 8wholepeppercorns
• 1bay leaf,torn into small pieces
• 1/2pound fresh Bingcherries,rinsed
• Coarse saltand freshly-groundblack pepperto taste
• 1 to 2teaspoons granulatedsugar(optional)

1. Bring steaks to room temperature. Coat steaks lightly with olive oil. Rub minced garlic evenly over the steak(press in with your hands); set aside until ready to cook.

2. Do not salt your steaks just before cooking. Salt brings moisture (water) to the surface of the steak, and the water sits on the surface as you cook the steak. Thus, you are again basically steaming the steak. I know that some people do salt their steaks before cooking, but trust me and don't salt - the result will be juicy, delicious steaks to serve your family and guests! Salt after the steak is cooked to your liking, has rested the required time, and just before serving.

3. Prepare Cabernet Cherry Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the wine and balsamic vinegar to a boil. Tie the cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a bundle with a small piece of cheese cloth. Add the spice bundle to the wine mixture; continue boiling approximately 15 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup.

4. While the wine mixture is reducing, pit the cherries. Cut the cherries into quarters and add to the wine mixture. Cover and cook approximately 10 minutes or until the cherries are tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add the sugar to balance the flavors, if needed. Remove the spice bundle from the sauce and discard. Reduce heat to low to keep Cabernet-Cherry Sauce warm until steak are cooked.

5. Cooking the Filet Mignon Steak: Using thePan-SearingorSear-Roastingtechniques (see below techniques), proceed to cook your steak to your desired doneness. Your steak is done when theinternal temperatureregisters 120 to 130 degrees F. on your instant-read meat thermometer:

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6. Rare - 120 degrees F

7. Medium Rare - 125 degrees F

8. Medium - 130 degrees F

9. What constitutes rare and medium-rare cooked meat? To satisfy government home economists, the Beef Council says rare beef means an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Well, that is ok if you like well-done and dry meat. If you like moist, rosy meat (like I do), rare begins when the internal temperature registers 120 degrees F. and starts to become medium rare at 125 or 130 degrees F. To cook your meat properly, you must purchase and use a good instant-read digital meat thermometer.

10. Residual Heat or Carry-Over Cooking: Remember, the steak will continue to cook as it sets. The temperature will rise to 125 degrees F. to 130 degrees F.internal temperature(medium rare) at 15 to 20 minutes. So, pay attention to how long you let the cooked steak sit before serving!

11. Residual Heat Definition: Carry-over cooking is caused by residual heat transferring from the hotter exterior of the meat to the cooler center. As a general rule, the larger and thicker the cut of meat, and the higher the cooking temperature, the more residual heat will be in the meat, and the more the internal temperature will rise during resting due to carry-over cooking. This means the meat must be removed from the heat at an internal temperature lower than your desired final internal temperature, allowing the residual heat to finish the cooking.

12. Pour the prepared warm Cabernet-Cherry Sauce over your perfectly cooked steaks just before serving

13. Makes 4 servings.

Pan-Searing Steak Cooking Technique:

1. In a heavy frying pan (I use my cast iron frying pan) over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil.

2. Sear the steaks, moving them with tongs a little so they do not stick to the bottom, approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side. Using thisPan-Searingtechnique, proceed to cook your steak to your desired doneness. Your steak is done when theinternal temperatureregisters 120 to 130 degrees F. on your instant-read meat thermometer:

3. When the steaks are crusty-charred and done to your liking, remove from the pan, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving. During this time the meat continues to cook (meat temperature will rise 5 to 10 degreesinternal temperatureafter it is removed from the oven) and the juices redistribute.

4. Add any juices that accumulate from the resting steaks to Cabernet-Cherry Sauce. Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto individual serving plates.

Sear-Roasting Steak Cooking Technique:

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F(a very hot oven produces a juicy interior). Place a 10- to 12-inch ovenproof skillet orcast-iron skilletin oven. When oven reaches 500 degrees F., remove pan from oven and place on range over high heat(the pan and the handle will be extremely hot - be careful).

2. Immediately place steaks in the middle of hot, dry pan(if cooking more than one piece of meat, add the pieces carefully so that they are not touching each other). Cook 1 to 2 minutes without moving; turn with tongs and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and put the cast iron skillet with the steaks in it into the oven. Cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on thickness of steaks and degree of doneness you like. Using theSear-Roastingtechnique, proceed to cook your steak to your desired doneness. Use ameat thermometerto test for doneness.

3. When the steaks are crusty-charred and done to your liking, remove from the pan, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving. During this time the meat continues to cook (internal temperaturewill rise 5 to 10 degrees after it is removed from the oven)and the juices redistribute(add juices that accumulate from resting steaks to the Cabernet-Cherry Sauce).

4. Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto individual serving plates.