What’s the Best Way to Reheat Filet Mignon?

Whether you’ve grilled filet mignon at home or have leftovers from your favorite steakhouse, uneaten filet mignon is too good to throw out. Leftover steak has a reputation for turning out tough and dry, but that’s because many people don’t understand how to reheat it correctly. There are several ways to reheat steak, but one best way to reheat filet mignon.

According to the FoodsGuy, there are three main ways to reheat filet mignon: in the oven, stovetop, and microwave. One method is superior to the others, but one of the most essential ingredients in reheating filet mignon must happen when you put your leftovers away. Keep reading to learn about the reheating methods – in order from best to worst – and find out what you must do to ensure tender, flavorful reheated filet mignon.

How to Handle Leftover Steak

Tasty leftovers begin with storing leftover filet mignon properly. Seal the steak in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag so it doesn’t absorb odors from other fridge contents. But if you only save the meat itself, you’re potentially missing out on the best beef flavor boost.

This secret ingredient in reheating filet mignon is scraping any remaining meat juices into the container with the steak. Even a teaspoon of cooking juices will help keep your filet mignon from drying out during reheating. It will also impart a deeply concentrated beef flavor to your leftovers.

Refrigerate the filet mignon and juices and plan to eat them within a day or two. You can also freeze leftover filet mignon. Use an airtight storage method and freeze for up to a year before thawing and reheating.

How to Reheat Filet Mignon in the Oven

Reheating filet mignon in the oven – or the reverse sear method – is the best way to avoid turning your delectable steak into a dried-up hunk of beef. It’s also the slowest way to reheat steak, but taking your time is necessary to retain the meat’s moisture. The brief searing process at the end will restore the crispy surface that’s so delicious on a freshly grilled filet mignon.

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F. Place a wire rack inside a shallow baking dish and place the filet mignon on the rack. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to keep moisture from evaporating. Heat the steaks for 20 to 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 110 degrees F. This temperature will adequately heat the meat without taking it to another level of doneness.

Heat any reserved meat juices and a tablespoon of butter or oil in a skillet. Add the warmed filet mignon and sear the steak on each side at high heat for 60 to 90 seconds per side. Let it rest for a few minutes before enjoying your leftovers.

How to Reheat Filet Mignon on the Stovetop

You can get decent results on the stovetop if you don’t have an hour to reheat your filet mignon with the reverse sear method. Heat the reserved meat juices and a little beef broth (about ¼ inch deep) in a skillet until it starts to bubble.

Add the filet mignon and cook it for about one minute on each side or until it is warmed through. (The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the steaks.) This method doesn’t provide a seared exterior, but the added broth keeps the meat moist and tender.

How to Reheat Filet Mignon in the Microwave

Reheating filet mignon in the microwave is something of a last resort measure, but as long as you keep the heat level low, you can avoid rubbery leftovers. Only nuke a steak at full power if you enjoy exercising your jaw muscles.

Place the filet mignon in a deep microwave-safe dish. Add the reserved meat juices and a few tablespoons of beef broth around the steak. Cover the dish with its lid or plastic wrap and place it inside the microwave. Reduce the power level to medium or 50% power. Heat the filet mignon in 30-second intervals and turn the steak each time. Depending on your microwave’s wattage, the steak should be reheated through the middle within a minute or two.

Final Tips

Low and slow are good terms to remember when reheating filet mignon. Those are the two key ways to retain the moisture that makes lean beef palatable.

If your original filet mignon was a little bland, reheating is an excellent time to infuse some new flavor. With the oven method, sprinkle salt, pepper, or Montreal steak seasoning on the filet mignon before searing it. For the stovetop and microwave methods, add garlic, herbs, or other seasonings to the beef broth before heating it. Steak sauce, Italian salad dressing, or Worcestershire sauce are flavorful additions to your reheating liquid.

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