I can’t believe Christmas is just over a week from now!!! I think I’m in denial, but ready-or-not, here it comes! With my South Florida family, our big celebration happens on Christmas Eve. We start with an early mass, followed by hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at my grandparents’ house, then dinner and finally — opening presents. For a large group we usually have a prime rib or leg of lamb, but this year with a smaller gathering, I thought we’d get some beautiful filet mignons and top them with an outrageous sauce. On our menu: Pan-Seared Filet Mignon Bordelaise — with sautéed mushrooms!!!
Christmas Eve culminates the weeks of shopping, prepping, planning, decorating, wrapping and cooking — and I really want to enjoy it… not be tied to the stove the whole day. So, this dish takes advantage of a sauce that can be (and should be) prepared ahead of time (maybe even a few days before)!
The steaks get seared and finished in the oven just before you’re ready to sit down to dinner. It’s quick, easy and so satisfying.
The beauty of this dish is that the ingredients themselves are the star. Really good steaks from your butcher, a liquid-gold Bordelaise Sauce and golden sautéed mushrooms. The pan seared filet mignon is cooked first in butter and finished off in the oven. Frankly, I think pan-seared and oven-roasted is the best way to cook filet mignon – it’s consistent, simple and flawless — and it will make any meal feel like a special occasion!
If you like your filet done to a specific degree, I recommend this ChefAlarm, so you can insert a small probe into the meat and you’re alerted when it achieves the perfect temperature. This alarm is made by the same folks who make the famed Thermapen, so you know it’s a quality item. Check my affiliate links (included here) for discounts.
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Pan Seared Filet Mignon Bordelaise
ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 8 ounces button mushrooms sliced
- 4 - 1 1/4 filet mignons 1"-1 1/2" thick
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Bordelaise Sauce from this site prepared ahead of time
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°.
- Take the steaks out of the refrigerator about half an hour before cooking them.
- In an ovenproof heavy skillet or cast iron pan, melt one tablespoon butter over medium high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms saute until they've given up their liquid and started to brown. Transfer the mushrooms to a bowl and set aside. (Can be made ahead).
- Season both sides of the steaks with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of butter over high heat until foamy and add the steaks to the skillet. Sear the meat on one side for about 2 minutes. Use a pair of tongs to flip the steaks. Cook for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 minutes (for medium rare), then transfer to the hot oven and cook for 2-3 more minutes for medium rare. Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the steaks to a cutting board or serving platter to rest for five minutes before serving.
- While the steak rests, heat the bordelaise sauce and stir in the mushrooms. Spoon the sauce over the steaks and serve.
Nutrition
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This sounds amazing and that steak looks so juicy!
This looks incredible! Steak is such a treat
This recipe is right up my husband’s alley. Everywhere we go, he’s asking for sauce for his steaks – and they never have it.
That filet mignon looks so juicy and tender! What a great Christmas Eve dinner alternative, or even any other special occasion.
Definitely special occasion worthy, Nadja!
What a fancy dinner. I hope to make this when the weather gets cooler
Okay, this looks seriously amazing! So delicious! Christmas, or anytime!
It really is! Christmas or anytime!
This is exactly how I enjoy a fillet mignon, with salt & pepper and served up with sautéed mushrooms, fabulous!!! Next time I will try your sauce too, yum!!
OMG – the sauce MAKES IT!
I like that you get to eat this ahead of time AND christmas eve! What a gorgeous piece of meat!
Well, you know — research…
Best steak ever! Maybe I will surprise my hubby with this for dinner soon!
You’ll definitely win brownie points for this!
Oh, this looks SO good. And what a beautiful, perfectly cooked steak! Off to check out your Bordelaise Sauce recipe now, because it sounds amazing. 😉
Thank you Tracy! This is exceptional — I hope you’ll agree!
If we were here for Christmas this year, I would be a very happy girl with this meal. Yum! I’m sorry we will miss it!
Me too, Katrina!
So here I am ….. drooling! This looks so amazingly juicy and tender and savory. I want to come over when you are making this next time! 🙂
Come on over!!!
What’s not to fall in love with this entree? Looks so, so good and bordelaise is the best with filet.
Bordelaise IS the BEST!
Your photos are absolutely gorgeous. I want to reach right in and grab a bite. I may have to try this for Christmas Eve after we go to mass. It’s so fancy and looks delicious! Have a great holiday!
Thank you, Karen! My taste testers all agreed that they want this for Christmas Eve! Yay — success!
I love the sound of your Christmas eve tradition. These steaks are incredible looking! I am totally craving one now.
Everyone’s got their Christmas rituals, right Katie?
Now THAT is a gorgeous sear! Now I want a nice, juicy steak 🙂
Thanks, Jessy!